FROM THE DIRECTOR The pandemic has tested our resilience in so many ways, some more perceptible to the public than others. I am so grateful for your belief in our Museum, demonstrated by your commitment as members while we have navigated these very difficult two years. Thanks to your support, this month we are finally able to open the long-awaited exhibition Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, which was rescheduled from summer 2020. As we get closer to finally installing these works in the galleries for our community to enjoy, I am struck by the resilience of our staff, who have worked tirelessly to make this exhibition happen, and by the commitment of our members who have joined, renewed, or come back, drawn in by this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see works by beloved Mexican artists, choosing to stand by us so that we can continue to bring a truly great exhibition to Portland. Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism is highly anticipated not only because of pandemic delays, but because of the exhibition’s importance to our community. Coordinated by Sara Krajewski, The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, this is the first large-scale exhibition we have mounted that celebrates Mexican artists. It is long overdue, and in keeping with all of our equity and inclusion work, we will continue to bring exhibitions that celebrate cultures from around the world. I am also thrilled to be honoring an incredible slate of artists in our Northwest Film Center’s third annual Cinema Unbound Awards. This March we are planning to be back in person and safely gathering to celebrate internationally known creators who blur the lines of art and push the boundaries of what is possible. These artists embrace challenge and summon incredible creative vision to bring us what’s next. We also continue to be honored by working with our community partners to make our spaces more vibrant and inclusive than ever. Visitors continue to have the opportunity to support local Black-owned businesses by shopping in The Numberz FM’s pop-up bodega within our community-driven AUX/MUTE Gallery. The Museum’s long relationship with Portland Public Schools is also flourishing despite limited field-trip opportunities. Spanish dual-language immersion students at the K-8 César Chávez School will work with our staff and local artist Patricia Vázquez Gómez to learn about Mexican Modernism and create their own art, and we are collaborating with Studio Latino, the Latino Network’s arts and culture after-school program, to welcome young students to workshops in the exhibition every month this spring. Museum visitors can look forward to seeing more artist-led projects here, including the live creation of large-scale, mural-like paintings in the Museum’s Schnitzer Sculpture Court. These strong partnerships reflect the resilient connection between the Museum and our communities.
Thank you and be well,
Brian J. Ferriso Director and Chief Curator
