February 2023

Dear Friends of the TMA,

It’s February at TMA – prepare yourself for a whirlwind of activities that kicks off with the opening of our newest exhibition “Enduring Legacies: The James T. Bialac Indigenous Art Collection,” featuring artworks donated to TMA’s growing permanent collection by James T. Bialac. I invite you to preview the show, enjoy live music, make art, and attend a panel discussion with humanities scholars Julia Arriola, Monica Buckle and David Tenario at our First Thursday event on February 2nd.

This captivating exhibition is presented by Anne and Jeff Gartner, Kit and Dan Kimball, and the Tucson Museum of Art Western Art Patrons. The 2022/2023 Exhibition Season at TMA is presented by Jim and Fran Allen, Jon and Linda Ender, James and Louise Glasser, and I. Michael and Beth Kasser. This program was made possible by Arizona Humanities. Thank you all for your generous support.

Anyone interested in how art museums, as accessible and inclusive spaces, can present cultural narratives and hidden histories of underserved communities should mark their calendars for February 9th from 5:30pm – 7pm. This TMA Leadership Circle lecture features Victoria Lyall, the Frederick and Jan Mayer Curator of the Ancient Americas at the Denver Art Museum.

This important lecture is sponsored by Ann and Roger Looyenga – thank you for your support. I would also like to recognize TMA’s official hotel sponsor, AC Hotel Tucson Downtown/Loveblock.

The second half of the month is just as busy with a lively presentation featuring Gloria Lucas and Yesika Salgado on the topic of positive body image; Second SundAZe with the usual art-making activities plus the Mujeres Market Tucson; and Docent Art Talk presented by Linda Friedman on Indigenous artist Helen Hardin.

Second SundAZe is presented by The Stonewall Foundation Fund held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

There are many more museum activities happening throughout the month, from art education classes for K-12 students and docent-led tours of our exhibitions to proposals for new collection acquisitions and ongoing historic preservation projects.

A very special event will take place next month that helps to enable all the happenings mentioned above – our annual Gala, which takes place on March 18th. This year’s “On the Western Horizon” is sure to be a festive evening with music, a live auction and dinner all in support of the Tucson Museum of Art. I look forward to seeing you there! You can purchase your tickets here! https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/gala/

Your charitable donations to our museum help us realize our mission and ultimately transform lives. Thank you one and all!

Norah Diedrich
Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO

TMA’s mission is to connect art to life through meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity and promote cultural connection