Briefly in the news

The Orange County Museum of Art has a new executive director -- but

only temporarily.

Elizabeth Armstrong, the museum’s chief curator and deputy director,

will take over as acting director while Director Naomi Vine goes on

extended medical leave, said Brian Langston, museum spokesman.

The museum’s board of directors approved the selection of Armstrong at

its meeting Tuesday night. Armstrong began work at the Newport Beach

museum in April, after having served as senior curator at the Museum of

Contemporary Arts in San Diego since 1996.

Langston said the staff is hoping Vine, who has an undisclosed

condition, will return soon.

“We want to make Naomi proud of the work we do in her absence,” he

said.