On Friday, November 13, during a Zoom program attended by coworkers, colleagues, friends, and family, I received the Association of Midwest Museums’ Distinguished Career Award.
I am grateful to the Association for the Award and humbled by the love and support reflected in the many messages and notes I received. This experience caused me to reflect on my career, the many extraordinary friendships made, and the colleagues I have been privileged to interact with; these are gifts I will treasure.
Thinking not only about the recognition, but also the efforts that were required to ensure the details of the Zoom were tended to, makes my head spin. While the technology delightfully brought so many together, the behind-the-scenes prep – at the Museum and with the Association – required the participation of many . . . more than a village.
I am indebted to Catie Anderson, Amy Beck, Elaina Johann, and Shannon Pueschner whose creativity and technical know-how helped me focus on how best to tell my story and the Woodson Art Museum’s via video.
It’s the collective ingenuity of the team behind the video’s parody introduction and Catie’s exceptional video-editing skills that illustrate the depth and breadth of the Museum’s programs and community engagement. To stage and facilitate the actual Zoom program at our end required yards of cable and hookups with names and acronyms that are not in my vocabulary.
To receive a Distinguished Career Award is so much more than the tangible gift I will cherish. The recognition caps my deep love for the work I have been privileged to do for almost forty years.
My gratitude to the Woodson Art Museum “village” and to the community of Midwest museums is boundless.
