Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am writing to you today as the new CEO of The Hyde Collection. I am honored to step into this important role and thank the Board of Trustees, and our previous leader Norm Dascher and the talented staff at The Hyde for their trust and guidance in leading this vibrant institution forward. I want to update you on some exciting developments that have taken place at The Hyde in recent months.
First and foremost, we have taken steps to strengthen community confidence in our institution and its mission. We understand the importance of building and maintaining trust with our community, and we are committed to being transparent, responsive, and accountable in all that we do.
Secondly, we have had the responsible courage to rebuild nearly our entire team in the past year. We are proud to say that our team is filled with exceptional expertise, drive, and intelligence. Something special is happening here, and it feels good. There is a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm, and we are working hard to make it sustainable.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are in the process of developing a strong plan for the next sixty years. We have an ambitious strategic plan outlining our future goals and objectives. Our mission remains the same – to be a steward of great cultural art that we enrich and protect and to connect our community with the arts to enhance our lives, inspire creativity, and deliver stimulating educational programs that are relevant and engaging. We are fully committed to staying true to Charlotte Pruyn Hyde’s mission while pointing a compass to the future.
The excitement for our exhibitions this year is incredible. Our spring exhibitions include our 32nd Annual High School Juried Show showcasing the fantastic talent of our region’s young artists and Celebrating 60 Years: The Collector Charlotte Pruyn Hyde and Recent Acquisitions. Our summer season features our blockbuster exhibition. Regarded as one of the most innovative sculptors of his generation, we are bringing David Smith’s (1906-1965) work back to the Southern Adirondacks. Mark your calendars for June 24 – September 17 to experience Songs of the Horizon: David Smith, Music, & Dance curated by Jennifer Field, Ph.D., the executive director of the Estate of David Smith.
Our educational calendar provides opportunities for all ages and abilities to intersect with art. You will find creative programs, tours, and talks. And our newest educational addition is that we are the exclusive regional venue for the National Theatre Live and Great Art on Screen, featuring art from around the world. These offerings are available to experience with our On Screen @ The Hyde series.
I want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated supporters and patrons whose generosity and commitment enable us to provide world-class exhibitions and educational programs to the broader community. We are grateful for your trust in our vision and inspired by the impact we have made together. Thank you for being an integral part of our museum family and helping us shape our community’s cultural landscape.
It’s a wonderful time to support The Hyde and our bright future together by considering a donation for our spring appeal.
We hope you will visit us soon and immerse yourself in our current exhibitions and programs. We believe that art has the power to inspire, educate, and transform, and we invite you to be a part of that experience.
Sincerely,
John P. Lefner Jr., CEO
The Hyde Collection