Welcome everyone and thank you for attending this evening’s Thiebaud lecture. This was the final lecture in this series for the academic year, and we’ve ended on an especially poignant note. 

Wangechi Mutu spoke on her work that fuses themes of personal identity, gender, social hierarchy and much more. Just like Thiebaud, her art inspires us to see the world - from common objects and landscapes to the human form - in a more introspective and thought-provoking way. It was a fitting conversation for this Thiebaud lecture, the first one since Wayne’s passing in December.

UC Davis has much to remember and thank Wayne for. I’ve traveled all around the country, and around the globe as well, to meet with our alumni. There’s no question that Thiebaud and his legacy remains one of UC Davis’ great points of pride.

He was an excellent teacher, a world-renowned artist, and a great philanthropist for our university and the world. Tonight, I want to take a few moments to remember Wayne with you, and his family that’s joined us today.  

There’s no question that Wayne contributed so much to us all.  As a teacher at UC Davis and Sacramento City College, he educated and mentored scores of future artists.

Wayne was a giant of the modern art world, an icon of the “California Funk” movement and a master with a paint brush. His work encourages us to see our world in a more textural light, where common objects like cakes and gumball machines can ascend to profound and iconic heights.

The UC Davis community will always be grateful for Wayne’s philanthropy and support of the university. He contributed both his art and own funds to the Manetti Shrem Museum, where we’re standing today, along with our Art Studio program that administers the Betty Jean and Wayne Thiebaud Endowed Lecture.

Please join me in remembering Wayne tonight. Though we miss his presence, his legacy and imprint will always be a definitive part of UC Davis. And whenever you drive by Davis, see a wheat field or a wonderful cake, or the beautiful landscapes in the Sacramento Delta, I hope you think of Wayne then as well.

Thank you for joining us today. I will now turn the program over to a faculty member who knew him especially well, Gina Werfel.