Annually, during the first quarter, we reflect upon the preceding year—reviewing our goals, discussing what worked and what did not, and noting accomplishments from all areas of the Museum. I am especially pleased with our 2022 community impact report. It is no surprise that some figures, such as our annual in-person attendance and exhibitions on view, are much lower than usual; they represent only four months of activity prior to our closure for construction and renovation. It is many of the other figures, however—those that reflect the work that continued even after the public could no longer visit—that are illuminating. Outreach numbers, community partnerships, students in art classes, artworks acquired, and the impact of sharing our collections with other museums. These are the statistics that showcase the Museum's relevance and commitment to its work and our community, despite being in transition.

Over the past many months, we have sought opportunities to loan selections from our galleries to museums around the country. Our current and unprecedented tour of works from Joslyn's internationally recognized collection of European art is now in Oklahoma, at Philbrook Museum of Art. It has been gratifying to see and hear about the Tulsa community's response to the show.

In Omaha, we continue our Joslyn Around Town series of programs with several new opportunities coming your way this spring and summer. These include a screening series of artist biopics, a fun opportunity to make your own masterpiece to hang in a mini replica of a Joslyn gallery and the fountain court, and festivals across the city that will feature art-making opportunities with Joslyn staff.

This November, Joslyn Art Museum will host Wishbone, a fundraising event supporting both our Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP), an interdisciplinary studio arts experience that serves youth from throughout the metropolitan area, and all Museum educational initiatives. I hope you will join me and honorary event chair Therman Statom, an Omaha-based sculptor, painter, and pioneer of the contemporary glass movement, as we celebrate and support art education programming for our entire community.

Construction of the Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion is on schedule, and we are seeing substantial progress on the exterior enclosure (including glass installation) and interior spaces. We look forward to welcoming you back next year. Until then, see you around town!