File this one under the category of surprise: Lora Urbanelli is leaving her position as executive director at the Farsnworth Art Museum and taking over as director of the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, N.J., starting in January.

Urbanelli has served as executive director at the Farnsworth since January 2006. She will continue in that role until the end of December.

"This is a personal career decision for Lora, and we are excited for her," Farnsworth board president Richard Aroneau said in a press release. "Although we are sad to see her go, we are grateful that she leaves behind a highly professional and united senior management team that has the strength and skill to guide the museum through a transition period while the board conducts a careful and thorough search for a new director."

In a statement, Urbanelli said, "It has been a true honor and a pleasure to work with this talented group of individuals in such a vibrant and beautiful area of the world. Midcoast Maine is unique, and the Farnsworth Art Museum is so well loved by its neighbors and members. Our place in the hearts of this community is the envy of many of my museum colleagues. I know my departure will surprise a lot of people - it surprised me too - but we are well-positioned with strong leadership on the staff, and our friends will find that our internal transition will be seamless. Moreover, our exhibition and education programs will be very impressive next year."

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