Dear Friends,

At the beginning of 2020, I was excited for the Year of the Rat—my Chinese zodiac sign which comes around every twelve years. What a surprise this year has been. May the next dozen years be better!

I am so proud of what SJMA has accomplished despite the pandemic. During these long months of shelter-in-place, our Museum has not wavered in its commitment to artists and high-quality arts programming—and was even able to reopen to the public for a few weekends this fall.

Our challenge continues as our doors have been temporarily closed once again. That’s why I’m writing you today, to ask if you would make a contribution to SJMA and help sustain our beloved Museum. My husband Jeff and I have always given contributions that are personally meaningful to us. If you are able, would you please consider joining us and give what you can today?

SJMA has proven what is possible when we find creative ways to thrive in the face of adversity. With the help of generous patrons like you, we have maintained our full-time staff and teaching artists, and we unveiled two new exhibitions: Barring Freedom and South East North West: New Works from the Collection. These shows spotlight artists I greatly respect and admire, including Rina Banerjee, Sadie Barnette, Sanford Biggers, and Jitish Kallat.

This was also a special year for SJMA’s permanent collection. In addition to acquiring works by artists like Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Steffani Jemison, and Hayv Kahraman, SJMA published the free digital catalog 50X50: Stories of Visionary Artists from the Collection, for which I was proud to write a preface as well as be featured as an artist. The crowning achievement of 2020 was the new installation of Pae White’s Noisy Blushes in the Museum’s atrium. This spectacular work fills me with hope for our next fifty-one years—and reminds us that art doesn’t have to be put on hold even in times of trouble. Art will always be essential!

San José Museum of Art is not an island—it reaches out to the community and beyond. Though we are separated, art offers connection and provides us with light and hope for the future.

Wishing you good health, safety, and inspiration in the year to come,

Hung Liu
SJMA Trustee and Permanent Collection Artist

P.S. To learn more about the impact of SJMA’s virtual education programs, check out this video.

P.P.S. It’s easier now than ever to make your 100% tax-deductible gift!
Text SJMArt to 41444. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Kwong at jkwong@sjmusart.org.

Photograph of Pae White, Noisy Blushes (2020) by Fredrik Nilsen Studio.