Leventhal and our senior curator of contemporary interpretation, joanna marsh. It is always a treat to hear from an artist and i can tell you that david is a great storyteller. We are in for a delightful evening. Notso wanted to pause and only recognize david but his family who has come from far away, from utah and california, nephews, sisters, please join be in welcoming david and his family. [applause] after this program, i invite all of you to join us for the reception for the celebratory opening of american myth in memory David Leventhal photographs. For those of you who do not know me, i have the pleasure as serving as the director here at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and also our branch fusing, the renwick gallery. People,en i hear from once i introduced myself as the director, whats on view . Im always happy to share that news and the exciting programs and exhibitions we have going on, but it is truly the curious questioner who says why. Why this exhibition . Why now . I