Delray Beach — The Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square opened “Color in Motion,” an exhibition of works by Dorothy Gillespie, with a VIP reception and a public opening this month, museum staff and the hosting foundation told the DDA board Monday.

Maruska (museum director) and the Dorothy Gillespie Foundation collaborated on the show; Gary Israel, who represents the foundation, sent the museum a letter praising the partnership and staff support. “Working with the staff at the Cornell Art Museum under Maruska's leadership has been so easy and collaborative,” Israel wrote in the meeting packet excerpts read to the board.

Why it matters: The museum cited a successful set of opening activities — a donors’ VIP reception and a general public opening — and early indicators of interest. Museum staff reported several sales tied to the installation and multiple tour requests for the exhibition.

Board members praised staff for programming and community partnerships. Maruska noted the museum handled two large openings in a single week and pivoted a planned outdoor First Friday activation indoors because of heavy rain, still attracting about 145 visitors that night.

Ending: The museum will continue opening programming in November with a new exhibition rotation and has upcoming events tied to Art on the Square in March and other seasonal activations. DDA board members asked staff to keep tracking attendance and donations and to share long‑term plans for audience development.