Greetings from The Hyde Collection,
Summer 2023 brought thousands of old and new friends to the Museum. Our premier summer exhibition, Songs of the Horizon: David Smith, Music, and Dance, inspired our visitors and helped us to lock arms with arts organizations throughout the region. These friendships with The Sembrich, SPAC, Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Salem Art Works, deBlasiis Chamber Music, and more are built to last. Just before summer began, I had lunch with a longtime supporter of The Hyde. I was sharing how excited I was for these collaborations, and he asked, “John, don’t you compete with all of these organizations for funding?” I then asked him of the organizations I had just mentioned and how many he supports. His reply? “All of them.” I then asked, “Aren’t we all better together?” His support, like yours, goes further, helps more, and provides access to arts and culture organizations that work together, find efficiencies, and maximize our region’s offerings. Glens Falls and the Adirondacks have so much to offer. Your generosity creates magnetic opportunities to strengthen our ability to attract visitors from New York, the Northeast, throughout our nation, and across the globe.
In July, we honored trustee Sarah Parker Ward and The Hyde’s gardeners at our annual summer luncheon at the Sagamore Resort. It was a breathtakingly beautiful day on the lake, with over 200 supporters attending to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism at our Museum, in memory of a beloved past volunteer, Charlotte Miller. In September, we celebrated once again at our 60th-anniversary gala, A Dream Realized. This year, we shared our gratitude with honoree Mary Renz, a lifetime trustee and our founder’s granddaughter. Mary has been a leader on our board since 1974, and an ardent and generous supporter of our mission. We are so grateful for Mary and her contributions to the success we are enjoying at The Hyde.
As we look towards Autumn, we have a wonderful lineup of exhibitions for you, including:
- Edgar Degas, The Private Impressionist: Works on Paper by the Artist and his Circle
- Degas at The Hyde: A Master of Form
- Ron Jude: 12 Hz
- Illustrations: Honoré Daumier, Winslow Homer, and Anthony Saris
I encourage you to visit The Hyde and enroll in our incredible programs and activities. You can learn how to expand your horizons, perhaps exit your comfort zone, and find inspiration and entertainment right here at the Museum. I want to draw your attention specifically to On Screen @ The Hyde, our series of art-focused films. This fall, we will be showing Titian: The Empire of Color and Borromini and Bernini: The Challenge for Perfection. We have also completed the installation of the satellite dish and receivers that give you an inviting and convenient way to enjoy live feeds of the Metropolitan Opera, National Theatre, and more.
Because of your support and friendship, The Hyde has grown to become one of our nation’s finest small art museums over the past sixty years. We look forward to the next sixty years with great confidence and your next visit to our galleries and historic Hyde House.
All my best,
John Lefner
Chief Executive Officer