The Walters Art Museum has named Gabriella Souza as the museum’s new Communications Manager. In this new position, Souza will manage integrated communications plans, media outreach, social media strategy and digital and print content management, as a lead member of the museum’s Marketing & Communications Department. Her first day at the Walters Art Museum was Monday, November 6.
Souza comes to the Walters Art Museum with 12 years of experience in newspaper and magazine journalism, most recently as Arts and Culture Editor of Baltimore Magazine, where she wrote and edited feature stories and covered Baltimore’s diverse arts community—from museums and the symphony to warehouse galleries and the DIY music scene. In addition, she contributed to the arts and culture blog, worked with writers and artists to compile monthly book and music reviews, and doubled the amount of arts coverage on Baltimore Magazine’s website.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gabriella to the Walters Art Museum. As part of our new strategic plan, we are re-envisioning the Walters and making exciting changes to how we engage audiences, build support and increase awareness of the museum,” said Becca Seitz, Director of Marketing & Communications. Gabriella has been instrumental in expanding online arts and culture coverage at Baltimore Magazine. Her outstanding writing skills, innovative approach and creativity will make her a key addition to the Walters’ marketing and communications team.”
Souza spent 8 years in newspaper staff writer positions with The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. and The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla. At The Virginian-Pilot, Souza covered social services and general assignments as well as the city of Virginia Beach. She wrote extensively for the Sunday features section, and contributed to breaking news coverage. At The News-Press, Souza investigated crime and city/county government and contributed content, photos and video to website updates. She also covered President Barack Obama’s visits to Fort Myers and Arcadia, Fla., in 2009.
Souza has received awards from the following journalism/industry organizations: Society for Features Journalism (2015), Virginia Press Association (2015), the National Center on Crime and Delinquency (2011) and an Award of Excellence in Community Leadership from Gannett News Service (2010). She was a member of Gannett’s Talent Development Program (2007 to 2017) and also participated in these professional workshops: Undoing Racism (The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, 2017) and Becoming a Better Journalist: Telling Untold Stories (The Poynter Institute, 2009).
Souza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, with a minor in English, concentration art history. Currently she is an MFA candidate in creative writing in the online program at Antioch University in Los Angeles, CA.
