August was special for my family and me. We finally moved into Detroit and started a new life close to the DIA and many other amazing places that the city offers. Because of our proximity, we have been able to enjoy the museum more times as visitors. Last weekend, my son and wife spent quite a bit of time in the American galleries in front of the Samuel F. B. Morse painting The Gallery of the Louvre , on loan from the Terra Foundation for American Art, identifying the works by famous artists represented in this phenomenal image. It is a little bit like trying to find Waldo, but instead, in the Morse painting, one discovers the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and famous works by great masters of the past like Caravaggio, Titian, and others whose paintings you will also find at the DIA. The painting remains on view through September 18, and I encourage this exercise for your friends and families, as it is a fun way to learn art history and develop an eye for art.

At the DIA, we want you to develop your eye and intuition for art, and we will go beyond the museum walls to share our passion with you. On August 18, for instance, we gathered with City Councilwoman Patty Campbell at Memorial Park for a special ceremony launching our InsideOut program in the city of River Rouge. It was a glorious summer day and we wanted to celebrate the collaboration between the DIA and this neighboring city. The museum had never had a presence there and Campbell, in her emotional and thoughtful remarks, emphasized the importance of embracing the arts to better life in our community. A number of children were in attendance, and we all shook hands, exchanged some thoughts, and took pictures together (above, left). These kids are part of a leadership program and decided they wanted to prepare and lead some tours of the DIA's InsideOut reproductions in the park and the city. I applauded their initiative and asked them to invite me for the first tour. I am always curious to hear the fresh and uninfluenced perspective children have about a work of art; what a great learning opportunity for me, the proof that art opens the mind and inspires better worlds.

I assured the kids and all the residents in attendance that I will also give the director's perspective on a tour sometime in the upcoming weeks. I received very warm applause in response, but what really touched me was the certificate, signed by Mayor Michael D. Bowdler, that Councilwoman Campbell handed me. The document recognizes the DIA's commitment to bring the arts into the community and our outstanding outreach efforts to create art-based programs that enrich the quality of life in River Rouge. I have never received a diploma that celebrates the union of people, the arts, and life, and it is a very fitting lesson that our neighboring friends responded to the DIA's first appearance in Memorial Park in this manner. Thank you for your attention and gratefulness. In the meantime, I will be preparing my InsideOut tour of the city. I promise the experience will be fun, like finding Waldo or a Da Vinci in the Morse painting!