Farewell friends, I'll see you soon

Dear MMAM friends,

Nicole leading a public tour during a Second Saturday event in 2019.

By now, you may have heard the news that I am leaving my post as Captain, I mean Executive Director, of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

It was such an honor and joy to be a part of this special museum. And to be a teensy, weensy part of this museum's certain legacy and impact, wow - no words for how special and once-in-a-lifetime that is. And for future MMAM archivists, I am truly sorry for how much paper I kept, and scanned, and filed - good luck.

If you have had the special opportunity to meet, hear, learn from, work alongside any of the teammates (see, I didn't say crewmembers when I totally could have!), then you know just how fortunate I have really been. This team has created and implemented much-needed programs (Second Saturdays turned Seasonal Saturdays; Riding the Wave), mounted stellar exhibitions (I will not name any as that would show favoritism!), welcomed and interacted with thousands and thousands of visitors, went through two public closures, wore and wear masks to ensure all visitors feel safe. They've put programs on pause, they pivoted, they everything'ed. And as the leader - I could not be more proud to work alongside and see their brilliance shine, and hear their concerns and goals, and see them work to make things happen and make programs possible. Truly, they're incredible.

MMAM staff celebrate a successful Second Saturday in 2019.

The volunteers - wow - what on earth do I say about the volunteers who show up (when we're not publicly closed) every day?! Who smile over masks? Who gave tours to the littlest art lovers all the way up to life's best and longest professionals? Who demanded to know when they could come back, when were we reopening, sharing that they were vaccinated, asked what we needed, and asked how they could help? I mean - I'm rarely at a loss for words (not true, I just don't like silence so I talk a lot), but if you are a MMAM volunteer - for any length of time, active or retired, thank you. Thank you so much. And thank you for treating every person you encounter at MMAM as if they are the most special human - you give and you give, and I hope you know how much you mean to MMAM. Thank you for helping us bring art to everyone.

And our visitors - thank you! If you've read alllll the way here - sheesh - thank you!

MMAM grows each year thanks to you sharing the museum. By bringing people, by talking about us, by mailing your family sweatshirts, you have helped and are a part of our success. When I first started, I said it was going to take everyone telling everyone (or maybe I said it takes a village, or maybe I was really on my game and said it takes a fleet!) to share just how great and special MMAM is. Hearing about this museum from a trusted person goes much farther than any marketing campaign, so I thank you.

This is far too long, far too long!

Thank you, thank you to all for making me feel welcomed and supported.

I do not know my nautical puns or slang well enough to close this out - so I'm hoping that I don't offend when I just say, "Ahoy, matey" - though dang, that means Greetings, according to the Great Google... Farewell friends, and I'll see you soon,

Nicole

P.S. The Communications team promised they wouldn't edit this as a final gift to me. So now you know how I truly write! And you're super grateful that I've been edited all these years, eh? ;)