New marketing consultant begins new job at TCA

Kathleen Eriksen started the new year as the new marketing and sales consultant for Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA). A longtime proponent for healthy downtowns through her work in downtown development, Eriksen is excited about being part of Tecumseh’s strong arts culture.She found the job after reading about TCA in a local magazine, and being impressed with the organization. “I was reading Homefront, and called TCA out of the blue,” said Eriksen.Rebecca Peach had just announced her retirement, so Eriksen’s call came at the perfect time. The part-time work for TCA fits perfectly with Eriksen’s downtown development work in Adrian and Hudson with her company Eriksen Development Company.“I like the idea of living local, eating local, and shopping local,” Ericksen said.The arts focus of Tecumseh, especially the work done by the TCA, was surprising to Eriksen considering the size of the city. She believes a strong arts focus means a better quality of life for a city’s residents, and has seen how businesses are also strongly attracted to municipalities that focus on the arts.“Tecumseh is quite impressive,” Eriksen said.Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are part of Eriksen’s personality, and she was happy to jump right in to life at the TCA. “I feel very grateful to be a part of the TCA,” said Eriksen. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone.”Her first big show is January 17 with the performance of comedian Jeff Caldwell. Eriksen likes the way the laughter and good feeling go hand in hand with comedians.The same evening as Caldwell’s performance, Eriksen will have a meet and greet to introduce herself to the community. She is looking forward to the chance to meet people from Tecumseh and hear their ideas about what they would like to see at the TCA.In the future, Eriksen would like to tie in TCA performances with promotions at downtown restaurants, making the downtown community part of the excitement of TCA shows.Another January activity that has Eriksen excited is Princess Day on Saturday, Jan. 31. “I think I might dress up as a princess,” she said with a laugh.One thing missing from Princess Day, Eriksen believes, is Prince Charming, so she is putting a call out to all those charming Tecumseh men to come out and audition for the TCA role of a lifetime. Details are still being worked out and she will announce the contest rules within the next week.Eriksen can be reached at the TCA at 423.6617.