On September 9, in eight days, the first visitors to Birds in Art 2010 will step into the galleries. Deep breath!
I have worked at the Woodson for thirty-one years, so preparing 
for the opening of the exhibition is a labor of love. Don’t misunderstand. Sure, I will be extremely busy. But the plans, carefully honed over the past thirty-four years, along with a cooperative group of colleagues, make the demanding tasks fun.
The majority of my days are spent in the galleries installing the one hundred and eighteen paintings, sculptures, and graphics that comprise the exhibition. Andy and I will place and move some works a dozen times before finding just the right combination of artworks on each wall. To finish the effort, each is properly lit, identified with a label, and checked for dust and smudges on the glass.
Once the exhibition is complete, I direct my efforts to hospitality. We host more than eighty artists and spouses, hundreds of museum members and special guests for various events during the opening weekend. Coordinating the caterer, volunteers, and vendors is daunting. But without fail, food and drink will be plentiful and tasty.
Just as sure as Birds in Art opens the weekend following Labor Day each year, you can also set your watch that at 4:30 pm on Thursday, September 9, the exhibition will be ready, and the staff will eagerly greet artists and guests as they enter the Museum. 
