Last January, when I reported the appointment of Kate Eilertsen of Oakland as interim executive director at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art in Sonoma, one reader commented, “Oh great, the announcement of an office temp!”

Well, Kate is no longer a temp. And she runs the office. Eilertsen will stay on as permanent excecutive director, the museum board announced today (Tuesday, May 19).

Eilertsen replaces Lia Transue, who served as head of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art for seven years, until Transue stepped down earlier this year to return to her own career as a painter.

“My dream is to have this museum active, with people filling it up, and programs going on every day of the year,” Eilertsen said.

Founded in 1998 with 300 households as charter members, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art now has more than 1,000. Housed at 551 Broadway in Sonoma, the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: svma.org.