The Museum of Holography International Women's Day HOLO-FUTURE State of the Union address by MoH President Kreigh Barnette
Official Statement for Kreigh’s March 8th Press Conference
Good evening and thank you for being here today.
My name is Kreigh Barnette, I am the president of the Museum of Holography. One year after we resumed the mission of resurrecting the museum, I’d like to reflect on the progress we have made. Together, we have not only made headway on our mission to reassemble the museum’s original collection of holograms and share the wonders of holography, but we have also started expanded its reach in ways that both honors the legacy and reimagines the future.
For those new to our journey, the Museum of Holography was founded on Valentines Day in 1977 by Loren and Bob Billings at 1134 W. Washington Blvd., Loren dedicated her life to showcasing the artistic and scientific wonders of holography. For decades, this museum has been a hub of creativity, science, and education. It long stood as a gem of Chicago’s historic holography district here in the west loop.
This International Women’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on the life of Loren Billings — a visionary who helped shape the field of holography. Her devotion to the art form empowered countless holographers to pursue their creative ambitions and inspired thousands of visitors over the years. Loren’s leadership, commitment to education, and unwavering support for the arts left a lasting legacy, reminding us of the incredible impact strong women can have when they break barriers and uplift their communities.
When I addressed you last year, I spoke of our mission to preserve and advance this legacy. Tonight, I had hoped to stand before you to celebrate the progress we’ve made at the Museum of Holography, to share our vision for the future, and to reaffirm our commitment to innovation, education, and community. But instead, I am here to shed light on a deep betrayal of trust, a pattern of misconduct, and the failure of leadership at the highest levels of this institution.
I accepted the role of President of the Museum of Holography with the understanding that I would be leading an organization built on integrity, creativity, and ethical governance. Instead, I have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and professional sabotage at the hands of my predecessor, Moshe Tamssot—a man who promised to step down but instead undermined my leadership, retaliated against me, and manipulated my colleagues.
Rather than working in good faith, he fabricated governance procedures, conducted secret meetings, and unilaterally stripped me of my authority—all without transparency or respect for nonprofit governance. He has denied my access to museum resources, blocked my ability to communicate with our community, and spread falsehoods about my leadership. These actions were not just unethical—they were unlawful.
The most egregious aspect of this misconduct is not just the power grab—it is the harassment and intimidation I have endured.
When Moshe learned that I would not stay silent, he retaliated—cutting off my access to museum assets, spreading false claims, and even taking to the internet to discredit, publicly humiliate, and shame me. These actions are clear violations of Illinois law, nonprofit ethics, and workplace protections.
There have already been negative effects on museum leadership as a result of Moshe’s intervening.
Let me be clear: neutrality in the face of wrongdoing is complicity.
For months, I have fought to lead with dignity despite unrelenting harassment, the spreading of falsehoods, and the deliberate stripping of my authority.
Leadership is not about holding onto power—it is about doing what is right, even when it’s difficult. It is about fostering a culture of trust, respect, and accountability. That is the leadership I have fought for, but it is not the leadership that currently exists at this museum.
And so, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as President of the Museum of Holography.
I do not take this decision lightly. I have poured my time, my energy, and my passion into this institution. But I refuse to lend my name, my reputation, or my integrity to an organization that enables misconduct, disregards the voices of women in leadership, and allows a toxic culture to thrive.
I may be stepping away from this position, but I am not stepping away from the fight for justice. My resignation is not an act of defeat—it is a refusal to be complicit in an institution that has lost its moral compass.
That is why today, I am publicly announcing that I have filed paperwork for formal investigations into the actions of Moshe Tamssot and the failure of the board to uphold their legal and ethical responsibilities. Blake Carter, Deputy Director of Business Services at The Illinois Attorney General’s Office and his team, have taken a special interest in this case, and are actively investigating corporate identity theft. Their office has confirmed to put a hold on all Museum of Holography business activities. The CPD is actively investigating these actions as a criminal case. Additionally, I am calling for an open investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to address workplace harassment and retaliation, and The Illinois Department of Human Rights to examine violations of workplace protections.
This is not just about one museum or one leadership dispute—this is about setting a precedent that no institution, no board, and no individual is above accountability. If we allow corruption, harassment, and retaliation to go unchecked here, we allow it to fester everywhere.
To the museum’s supporters, volunteers, and members: You deserve better. This institution belongs to the public, to the artists, to the scientists, to the visionaries who believe in its mission. It does not belong to those who seek to manipulate it for personal power.
My final act as president of the Museum of Holography is to dissolve the organization and ensure the legacy of loren Billings is never used for unchecked power, misogyny, and
To the women and marginalized leaders watching today: I see you. I know what it means to fight for a seat at the table, only to have it pulled away the moment you challenge the status quo. This resignation is not an admission of failure—it is a declaration that we will not be silent, we will not be bullied, and we will not accept injustice as the price of leadership.
The Museum of Holography had the potential to be an institution of creativity and innovation,. But it’s male leadership failed to reflect the values necessary to succeed in this capacity
I leave today knowing that I fought for integrity. That I stood my ground. That I refused to be complicit in an institution that chose power over principle. And I call on every one of you to demand better, to speak louder, and to never back down in the face of injustice.
Thank you.