LETTER FROM DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

Philanthropic giving, in various forms, has built the Saint Louis Art Museum into the internationally recognized institution it has become. In that spirit, we are pleased to announce Dr. Mark Weil and Phoebe Den Weil's commitment to bequesth to the Museum their superb collection of European art, a gift that will significantly enhance the overall quality of the collection.

I also want to encourage you to visit the Museum this spring. Not only will you be amazed at the weekly progress being made on our expansion; in our Main Exhibition galleries, An Orchestrated Vision: The Theater of Contemporary Photography surveys the theme of artifice and theatricality in photography from 1990 to present. This exhibition of 43 large-scale photographs by 36 artists draws on the Museum's strong collection of contemporary photography.

In preparation for the installation of the David Chipperfield-designed East Building, our curators have rethought and redesigned the installation of almost all aspects of the presentation of the Museum's collection. The Museum's reinstallations of European art from 1700 to 1950 on the east side of the Main Building marks the beginning of a series of transformative reinstallations scheduled for the coming months.

The Museum's progress in recent years would not have been possible without the participation and goodwill of friends like you who share a common commitment to the ongoing success of our institution. On behalf of the Museum and the entire St. Louis community, it is a privilege to thank you for your support.

As always, we extend our sincerest gratitude for your extraordinary support and membership.

Sincerely,

Brent R. Benjamin,
Director