Member Letter

Dear Members,

Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome I’ve received since joining the Museum in September. Although I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you already, I’m delighted to introduce myself more fully through this, my first Director’s letter to Members.

The theme of this issue—there’s always something new—couldn’t be more fitting. Along with the many exciting things happening at the Museum this season, I, too, am new! And what a joy it is to step into this role at a moment when the Museum is brimming with creativity, energy, and possibility.

Every day brings another discovery that deepens my admiration for this city and this extraordinary institution. From the warmth of the people I’ve met, to the way the morning light fills the Quadracci Pavilion, I can already feel the creative pulse that makes Milwaukee such a special place to call home.

As I look to the future, my approach is simple: to make the Museum a place where everyone feels both welcome and inspired. I hope your visits feel like returning to a favorite book—something you can open again and again to refresh your mind and recharge your spirit. I also believe the Museum should serve as a vital force within Milwaukee’s civic life, connecting artists, educators, businesses, and neighbors in meaningful ways.

To me, the Museum is a kind of cabinet of wonders—a place where we learn from real objects and from each other, and where art builds empathy and sparks imagination. Above all, I want us to continue celebrating artists and the creative spirit that keeps this Museum vibrant and alive.

You’ll see that spirit reflected throughout this issue, which highlights the many ways art invites us to see the world anew: the dreamlike paintings of Gertrude Abercrombie: The Whole World Is a Mystery, the reimagined Haitian gallery that amplifies community voices, and the refreshed Modern Wing, opening this spring, that offers fresh context for beloved works of modern art.

I’m deeply grateful to join a community that believes in the power of art to connect, inspire, and transform. Thank you for your membership, your curiosity, and the energy you bring to this place.

I look forward to seeing you in the galleries soon—because there’s always something new waiting for you here.

Warmly,