Chris Seiz, executive director of the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, has tendered his resignation to the board of trustees. Seiz has been the director since October 2008.  

In his letter to the public, Seiz said his decision to leave was a family matter as his wife, Graelyn, was offered a job in Virginia that she couldn’t refuse. “After half a year in two different states, it’s now time to call Virginia home,” said Seiz. “I’ll be transitioning to Virginia over the next few months and leaving my position with the LBIF.

“This was a very difficult choice to make, and I’ll greatly miss my daily interactions with Long Beach Island and the LBIF,” he continued. “The LBIF is an organization doing great things for the surrounding communities, and its good work will continue long beyond my leaving. There are many opportunities on the horizon, and the organization has several chances to strengthen itself at its doorstep.”

Seiz and the board of trustees are working together to find a new director and to ensure the transition is positive for the organization. “I will be working with the organization through the end of the calendar year, possibly longer, to ensure the LBIF is able to move smoothly into its 65th year serving the community,” he said.

Seiz came to the Foundation in 2007 as the gallery manager, moved swiftly into the position of interim director in May 2008 and became executive director that October.  

In his youth, he spent his summers on LBI, attending classes at the Foundation. Then he became a co-director of the children’s summer camp, where he taught weaving and felt making. Seiz has a BFA in fiber art from the Maryland Institute College of Art.  —P.J.