What a thrill to be among a tight knit group of docents and
friends of Laumeier Sculpture Park at the home of Ken and Nancy Kranzberg on a
beautiful Spring day (April 28, 2016).
In the living room, Ken suggests
his wife Nancy start the docent tour of their home in front of a giant
photographic portrait of the Kranzbergs by Tina Barney. The tandem described
the photo shoot and interaction with the artist. Photographer Tina Barney was born in 1945 in
New York and she has been producing large-scale photographs of family, friends
and famous since 1975. She has a way of making meticulous chronicles of the
complexity of interpersonal relationships. This piece is no exception. Ken suggests,
with a smile, that historians will one day assume that he is emblematic of the
man of the house with a demure and dutiful wife in the background. It is a self
effacing and respectful nod to his wife. The photograph is a wonderful
celebration of our hosts in the front hallway of their home. We know Nancy is
more likely to front the duo but they are both emphatic champions for artists
everywhere. Nancy is especially fond of St. Louis - a place she says
is the most culturally rich place in the whole country (per capita).
It is clear every piece of art in
the Kranzberg personal collection has a story. We were treated to a wonderful
tour that included first piece they ever bought together. They recall fondly how a
price tag of $90 seemed excessive at the time. They have since become much more comfortable in
their purchases. It is the love of art and artists that drives them more than
the investment however.
Every room is a treat of museum
quality works of art. The dining room includes a falling man by Ernest Trova, a
limited edition serigraph by Andy Warhol and works by self taught St. Louis
native Craig Norton, an emerging artist the art critic Roberta Smith of the New
York Times described as having an almost freakishly developed skill set. Her recent review summed up with the statement - It’s hard to know exactly where Mr. Norton
will end up, but he is definitely on the way to somewhere. Therein may be a
clue as to what motivates patrons of the arts.
The Kransbergs invited
David Kirkland to treat our group to a culinary masterpiece. Over lunch the
side bar conversation consisted of a collage of topics – some art, some family,
some food and (of course) insights into what it means to support the arts. If artists
inspire, the Kranzbergs are inspired and their energy and enthusiasm is
highly contagious. We all left that day with a mega dose.
Recently Ken and Nancy Kranzberg were honored for
Excellence in Philanthropy at the St. Louis Arts Awards. Their generosity
to more than 500 civic, social and arts organizations and their leadership
has created things such as the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center, and
through the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, the Northside Workshop. They are noted for not only donating to larger organizations, but a number of
smaller organizations as well.
We are inspired and infinitely grateful. Thank you Ken and Nancy Kranzberg!
