Greetings of the New Year! Every year on December 31, I have the pleasure of receiving an email from a dear colleague, Don Yoshino, FAIA, sharing his sumi-e painting of the Asian animal symbol for the New Year. As always, I was pleased to receive his artistic interpretation and delighted to read his accompanying message on the last day of 2025.
This year’s version – the Year of the Horse – is especially meaningful to me, as it is the first time the Year of the Horse has cycled through since my presidential year. I have his painting from 12 years ago framed and placed in a prominent location in my home. This treasured piece reminds me of the tremendous experience I had serving our professional society in this honored capacity in 2014. However, and perhaps more importantly, it inspires me to reflect on the dear friendships with cherished colleagues that have resulted from my AIA service and leadership over more than four decades. Many of you reading this essay are among those!
Whether you rang in 2026 at midnight January 1st (according to the Gregorian calendar), or will celebrate Lunar New Year on February 17th, or will observe another culture’s date, I send my warmest regards as ww enter 2026. You have my sincerest wishes for good health, every happiness, and abundant success in this Year of the Horse!
Image Credit: Donald Yoshino, FAIA, Artist, with permission
The Three Aspens 