Dear MassArt Community,

January is already coming to a close, and we have officially started our year-long 150th Anniversary celebration with a flourish! 

I had the opportunity to attend the unveiling of "The Embrace" memorial on the Boston Common, a powerful and moving celebration leading up to Martin Luther King Day. I encourage you all to take time to visit this inspiring memorial, which also honors the work of sixty-five Boston civil rights leaders. It was an energizing and impressive gathering of community members, civic, business, and cultural leaders, and elected officials who all recognize the important role and the impact of publicly accessible art. 

Our 2023 Spring semester and the kick-off to our 150th anniversary year began with a lively Opening Day gathering led by our impromptu “Joy Committee”: Jamie Costello, Brenda Molife, Patrick O’Connor, and Lauren Wilshusen. I also want to give a special shout out to our MC Shauna Summers, our DJ Antony Flackett, and our Technical Support guru Max Azanow – thank you all. The following day we gathered for the thought-provoking panel discussions of the Sustainability Symposium, which asked us to consider how MassArt can continue building sustainable practices. Thank you to the MassArt Sustainability in the Curriculum Committee chaired by Marjee Levine (FA3D Faculty), as well as Brenda Molife and the whole Academic Affairs team for organizing this important event. Here at MassArt, there is always a lot to see and do, thanks to the incredible vision and enthusiasm of our community members. I can’t thank you all enough for the work you put into the success of these events. 

The busy week came to a close with my official investiture and an occasion to celebrate our entire community as we mark our 150th Anniversary. I am humbled and inspired to have been surrounded by so much support and joy, and to have had the opportunity to shine a light on and share just a bit of the powerful story of the artists, designers, educators, leaders, and entrepreneurs of MassArt. Along with members of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, we had many distinguished guests in attendance, including Governor Maura Healey, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega, City of Boston Chief of Arts and Culture Kara Elliott-Ortega, President Emerita Kay Sloan, City and State legislators and advocates such as MassArt alumna and long-time friend Representative Mary Keefe, community members, arts and cultural representatives, business leaders, alumni from across the years, current and former Trustees and Foundation directors, delegates from Massachusetts colleges and universities, and as you saw, many members of my family!  

It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of this community as we work together to create a brighter future for us all. I want to thank everyone who helped to make this day possible through their hard work and dedication. Thank you to all who gathered to support and celebrate this remarkable institution, including our friends in the arts community, such as the remarkably talented Boston Arts Academy Spiritual Ensemble.

We have a lot to look forward to in the coming year! Through exhibitions, lectures, and a wide range of events, we will continue to elevate MassArt’s reputation and build upon 150 years of providing inspiring, innovative, and life-changing education. We will further deepen connections and build new partnerships, extend and strengthen our powerful alumni network, and invite prospective students and visitors from throughout the Commonwealth and beyond to engage with our mission and our future.

With my appreciation,