Sydney and Walda Besthoff were selected by Art & Antiques magazine in 2002 as one of 100 of Americas Top Collectors., The Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened in 2003 and doubled in size with a 2019 expansion. New Orleans Museum of Art Sydney Besthoff was born on 10/27/1927 and is 95 years old. Fittingly, Sydney was the first ever recipient of the Sydney Besthoff Legacy Award. The work artists create today would not happen without institutions like the CAC and without Sydney, a benefactor with business sense, creative vision, who cared deeply for the artists in his community, and who understood the transformational power of art.In my brief time, I knew Sydney to be genuinely thrilled by art and the artworks in his collection, deeply generous and accessible, humorous and proud of the CAC. "And, as it so happened, I knew at the time that the sculpture was worth a fair amount of money. The excitement was even more palpable when the works arrived at the garden loaded on a flatbed truck, ready for the installation. Courtesy of New Orleans Museum of Art, Dear friends of the CAC,Last Saturday, the CAC's Founder, Emeritus, and Champion, Sydney Besthoff III passed away peacefully at his home. So it turns out, most of the more sedate pieces are in the pine grove as you first come in, and the more contemporary pieces are on the far side. All Filters. Around the country, artists took over warehouses and factories, creating their own institutions for experimentation and pioneering new ideas. (Josh Brasted Photo), Louisette Brown, George Dunbar, Susan Taylor and Mike Siegel at Sydney Besthoff's 90th Birthday Party at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Besthoff has served on the boards of numerous business and arts organizations. Occupying eleven acres in City Park surrounding the New Orleans Museum of Art, The Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened to the public in 2003 with . It operates on its own principles. There are no words to express how much he will be missed and how much I will miss him. Perfect in its own way. We were talking about artspeak earlier today. I dont, but people do. One of the things that makes the garden relatively unique is that it has all of these different concepts built in. To reach Sue Strachan, send an email to socialscene@nola.com or call 504.450.5904. RP:Any other ways that the modern/contemporary art market could be more facilitating to collectors?SB:As you know, the modern/contemporary art world is an elitist operationat best. He was 94. In 2003, the Besthoffs provided the seed money and initial works for a sculpture garden to fit harmoniously within the landscape surrounding the New Orleans Museum of Art. The K&B building atLee Circle is known for its collection of art inside and out. curtis wayne wright jr wife. What information about Sydney are you looking for? He loved the chase, she said. Since. "MK Wegmann, Trustee (1985-1987), Director (2018-2019)"Sydney's generosity of his time, business expertise--from accounting to building management-- and the donation of 900 Camp Street, as well as direct financial support, sustained the CAC from its earliest days; even stuffing our promotion for The Last Ride at Pontchartrain Beach in K&B's billing envelopes. He loved going to Chelsea to check out the most current art exhibitions. We took out about 60 trees that were diseased and put in 125. Walda and Sydney Besthoff "We bought the building at Lee Circle, and it had on it a very gorgeous sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, a well-known Japanese sculptor," Besthoff recalls. We all shared a joy for seeing art in public, outdoor spaces. Besthoff was part of the family that ran what became a seven-state drug store franchise with a distinctive purple color theme and popular local commercials. , 2 2020. Today we mourn the loss of Sydney Besthoff, NOMAs most generous philanthropist who, with his beloved wife Walda, created the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. (Josh Brasted Photo) DON"T USE -- Goldring zipper unzipped. And, come back to NOLA.com/society for more New Orleans area event and party news and photos. The great work we have ahead of us, the artists we will present, the ideas and artworks that have yet to be imagined, will all find their home here and will live on as an extension of his legacy. Who's Searching for You, Look Your Best to People Searching for You. He married Rebecca Frank Mayer on 29 December 1926, in Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Frequently those prices have no relation to reality. Submit your address to receive email notifications about news and activities from NOMA. NOMA is committed to preserving, interpreting, and enriching its collections and renowned sculpture garden; offering innovative experiences for learning and interpretation; and uniting, inspiring, and engaging diverse communities and cultures. But, of course, the New York galleries are notorious for this. As with all nonprofit entities, everything had to be done by consensus, and it took a long time to work out the details.RP:I understand that you were intimately involved in the practical aspects of installing the sculptures in the garden. Let others know about your loved one's death. Ugo Rondinone,The Sun, 2018. The collection continues to grow, now featuring more than 90 works, representing the extraordinary range of Sydneys and Waldas taste and keen eye. New Orleans, Louisiana 70124 | Map I asked a few of our past directors and trustees to share their memories; I encourage you to read them, below.As Board, Emeritus, and Staff, we hold Sydney's memory close with appreciation for all he has done for us and our community. So itll be hidden from exterior viewsexcept for certain cut-throughs in the shrubbery. Sydney Johnson Besthoff, III October 27, 1927 - February 26, 2022 IN THE CARE OF Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries Sydney Johnson Besthoff, III, of New Orleans, Louisiana, died at his home on Saturday, February 26, 2022. If you have used our data or site in your research or reporting, add credit and a link to Nonprofit Explorer in your story or publication and let us know. Well have to find some categories and concepts that they feel they would like to have. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Foundation primarily provides general support. to see complete work history. Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Absolutely.RP:What goals would you and Mrs. Besthoff like to achieve over the next five yearsand morewith the sculpture garden?SB:Wed like to add a few pieces. Mrs. Besthoff served on the board of the Contemporary Arts Center in the 1980s, chairing the Capital Campaign for its expansion. Sydney is survived by his loving wife, Walda Barnett Besthoff; three daughters, Virginia Besthoff (Nancy Aronson), Valerie Besthoff, and Jane Steiner (Dr. Rodney); a sister, Jon Strauss; grandchildren, Andrew Marcus (Kelsie), Catherine Marcus, Stephen Marcus, Jason Steiner, Rachel Steiner, Kevin Steiner, Sydney Steiner, Adam Shapiro, and Beth Lavin (Austin); and great-grandchildren, Ava Marcus, Amelia Lavin, and Max Lavin. When you go into a gallery, and they ignore you, when they know you are interested; thats part of the mystique of gallery shopping. The result was the sculpture garden. "Sydneys vision, passion, and dedication to the arts are unparalleled. Reviews help We would stand by watching as the works soared above us, landing exactly on the proposed site. Sometimes its dramatic.SB:Thats a very astute observation. Just two weeks ago, on February 11, 2022, Sydney supervised the installation of Wangechi Mutus Crocodylus. Though Besthoff's actual birthday, Oct. 27, was a few days away, the celebration gathered family and friends: the Besthoffs' daughters Valerie Besthoff and Jane Steiner with Rodney Steiner and their daughter Sydney Steiner and cousins in from throughout the state, NOMA Deputy Director Ann Banos, NOMA board President Mike Siegel, Lee Ledbetter (whose company designed the sculpture garden), Bill Goldring,Ellen Johnson and Dr. Ronnie Swartz, Marshall Hevron, Basi and Michael Carbine, Liz Sloss, Julie George and Ted George, Sybil and Blair Favrot, Penny Francis, Dana and Steve Hansel, Susu and Andrew Stall, Carol and Tom Reese, Wayne Amedee, Michael Smith, Beth and Austin Lavin, Marianne Cohn, Catherine Burns Tremaine, former NOMA Director John Bullard, Louisette Brown and artist George Dunbar. He was a trustee of the art museum and the chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Boy Scouts in New Orleans and the United Fund (now the United Way). Theres no comprehensive list out there that ranks everyones net worth, but there are some big movers and shakers in New Orleans whose wealth is well known. to see possibly who they are and full class lists found from school records and public sources. (Josh Brasted Photo), Jane Steiner, Rodney Steiner and Sydney Steiner at Sydney Besthoff's 90th Birthday Party at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Thank you, Sydney, for everything you have done for our city. Known as The Sydney, the lifetime achievement award honors outstanding contributions and distinguished philanthropy in the arts. Sydney Besthoff: We had just bought the K&B building a couple of years before. Thanks, Sydney for the support, mentorship and friendship. Sydney Besthoff:Originally, we were very interested in collecting antique furniture. You see the sculptures in a complete surround basis. And we zero in on particular artists. (The remaining nine were museum purchases or gifts from other donors.). Fax: 504.658.4199, RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE FOR THE BESTHOFF SCULPTURE GARDEN. Watch a video in celebration of that momentous expansion, which added 6.5 acres and 27 contemporary works to the garden. Bill Goldring and Michael Smith at Sydney Besthoff's 90th Birthday Party at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Links are provided for reference only and MyLife.com does not imply any connection or relationship between MyLife.com and these companies. The excitement was even more palpable when the works arrived at the garden loaded on a flatbed truck, ready for the installation. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Mr. Ryan is the head of First NBC, which has over 45 branches in Louisiana and five in Florida. In Memory Of Sydney Johnson Besthoff, III. R. J. Preece: I understand that the last International Sculpture Center conference held in New Orleans in 1976 inspired you and Mrs. Besthoff in some way. A distinguished collector who celebrated a distinguished artist with not one, but two works for the garden. Its not just the artists who are usually not so business-like or organized, its the dealers as well. (Josh Brasted Photo), Sydney Besthoff and George Dunbar at Sydney Besthoff's 90th Birthday Party at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Wangechi Mutu, The Seated III, 2019. He never stopped working toward his goal to establish New Orleans as an important contemporary arts city. He was 94. Hes a contributing editor for Sculpture and focuses on contemporary art and design. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. RP:How is buying a sculpture different for you and Mrs. Besthoff now compared to the first purchases?SB:Well, of course, its much more expensive now than 30 years ago. I clearly remember the day where he asked me to write down the artists with whom I would like to work, and then he showed me his list too. businesses, and does affect the Reputation Score. I was involved in the discussions, and I have a lot of practical experience on how to do it. When Sydney Johnson Besthoff Jr was born on 4 December 1902, in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States, his father, Sydney Johnson Besthoff Sr, was 31 and his mother, Florence Stich, was 22. He will be missed. Find her on Twitter and Instagram as @suestrachan504, with the hashtag #nolasocialscene. Through my time working with him, I have been fortunate to enjoy a meaningful partnership and friendship. There will be a celebration of his life in the spring. As the years went on and on, we had a lot of stuff. "Barbara Motley, Trustee and served as Director (1993-1994)"Its hard to imagine the New Orleans art scene without the legacy that Sydney leaves behind: wed have no Contemporary Arts Center, which was the seed for the contemporary gallery and restaurant scene, which revitalized the Warehouse District, which encouraged our now nationally recognized artists to put down roots here. Browse Locations. to see possible education history including where and when they attending high school and college, and a complete list of her high school class list. Perfect in its own way. This third-party data is then indexed through methods similar to those used by Google or Bing to create a listing. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Wednesday, October 18, 2017. He was the first ever recipient of the City of New Orleans Arts Award in 1980, and was recognized with a Louisiana Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He was always there for the Center and ready to provide whatever was needed. 7) Tom Benson, Networth: 2.2 Billion Wikicommons / Andricka Hammonds He wasnt universally hailed, even in his own family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sydneys memory to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden and / or the Contemporary Arts Center. Occupying approximately five acres of New Orleans City Park to the west of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the garden opened in 2003 as a result of the Besthoffs' desire to display their collection of large-scale sculptures within a space evocative of Louisiana's unique landscape. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, K&B Drug Building, now the CAC, ca. It was more on a coincidental basis. We use cookies to personalize & enhance your experience. Over the course of the next 20 years, Sydney worked in every aspect of the business and became general manager. And I can do pretty much anything. An addition to the world-renowned Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened in May 2019 with a ceremony marking the occasion. In 2004, Sydney won NOMAs Isaac Delgado Award, given to a distinguished individual or organization whose long-term service, support, and dedication to the museum set precedents for the institution. It was thrilling.. The collection is on view at the Foundations headquarters on historic Lee Circle and is open to the public. We specifically wanted to get away from the Italian Renaissance and the French formal look, which most sculpture gardens adopt for some reason. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is home to more than 90 sculptures by renowned artists from around the world, set within a picturesque landscape of native Louisiana trees and plants. Visit her on Facebook. Did you know everyone on this list? And thats one of the funniest things you have to learn. I loved running into him both in New Orleans and New York. Menashe Kadishman, Open Suspense, 1968. Get our updates delivered directly to your inbox! He often found works that werent readily available on the market and made the deal. RP:What do you think needs to be done to more effectively encourage patronage of modern/contemporary art in the U.S.? government sources. Photo by Camille Lenain. You have permission to edit this article. The store was full of popular store brands and soda fountains. The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is committed to artists, the presentation of multidisciplinary work, and advancing the value and power of the art of our time. Besthoffhas had a longstanding relationship with NOMA, starting in 1992 when he was first appointed the board of trustees, serving in various capacities. Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. My thoughts are echoed by Michael Schneider, President of the CAC Board of Trustees: "Sydney Besthoff was a giant. Weve rounded up a list of business men who have proven their business acumen and made a fortune for themselves. My wife thinks we can add 10. E. John Bullard, then the art museums director, suggested that the couple donate their holdings to the museum. I cant place why exactly. For that to happen, there were only two art collectorsin town who could pull it off: Walda and Sydney Besthoff. The art galleries price their artists merchandise on the basis of what they think it will bring. Their unwavering vision and commitment distinguishes New Orleans from any other city in the country with one of the most important sculpture gardens in the world. The richest person in both New Orleans and Louisiana, Tom Benson is best known now as the owner of the Saints and the Pelicans, and for the entrenched battle currently going on over his estate as he ages. MyLife aggregates publicly available information from government, social, and other sources, plus personal reviews written by others. Besthoff was chairman and CEO of K&B, the retail drug store chain (sold to the Rite Aid Corporation in 1997), who with Walda Besthoff have been longtime art collectors and arts supporters, among the co-founders of the Contemporary Arts Center (he eventually donated the building it is in), and initiators, sponsors and benefactors of the sculpture garden, opened in 2003. In the early years of the Center, Sydney led the first fundraising campaign securing major donations from national corporations. Fax: 504.658.4199. Since the 1970s, Sydney and Walda Besthoff have specialized in collecting modern and contemporary sculpture, in addition to photorealist painting. The sculptures are among them. We commissioned our first work, which happened to be by George Rickey, and George was really delighted with the commission. This may contain information such as company name, job title, address, and time period of service. Sydney Besthoff It is not an organized marketplace. It features 50 sculptures, 41 of them donated by the Besthoffs' foundation . 1960s, Walda and Sydney Besthoff. Whenever he set out to do something, he did it.. Also, the art dealers could explain their art better. Share Your Memories of Sydney and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden Here: 900 Camp StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130-3908(Open in Google Maps), 2023 Copyright Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, Sydney Besthoff, longtime K&B drugs executive and patron of the arts, dies at 94. Sydney J Besthoff (born 1927) Sydney J Besthoff 1927 Born c. 1927 Last Known Residence Orleans County, Louisiana United States Summary Sydney J Besthoff of Orleans County, Louisiana United States was born c. 1927. The sculpture garden was in the planning stages for about 10 years. Of course, anything that wed do would have to be in conjunction with the museum. New Orleans Museum of Art 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. And so we selected a very abstruse form of art known as photorealism and went into it in the late 60s/early 70s, when it was just starting to become a really hot area. Not long after that, he began conversations with then NOMA Director John Bullard, and others, about the possibility of what was to become the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Olafur Eliasson,The Hinged View, 2017. Sydney J Besthoff, 95. The Noguchi at the time was inoperativeand I had to get it to work. At that time, I had already commissioned the Rickey and I had some experience with that. Here are 7 of the richest people in New Orleans. Total revenues $3,055,827 2020 20162017201820192020$0$4m$8m Total expenses $775,041 2020 20162017201820192020$0$4m Total assets $7,500,382 2020 20162017201820192020$5m$9m Num. At his ninetieth birthday party in 2017, which took place in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, NOMA announced the establishment of the Sydney Besthoff Legacy Award. Montine McDaniel Freeman Director, Sydney Besthoff with a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi at K&B Plaza in downtown New Orleans, Walda Besthoff, NOMA Director Emeritus E. John Bullard, and Sydney Besthoff, Sydney and Walda Besthoff at LOVE in the Garden, Artist Frank Stella and Sydney Besthoff in front of Stellas work in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Valerie Besthoff, Rodney and Jane Steiner, Sydney Besthoff, Sydney Steiner, Walda Besthoff at Sydneys 90th birthday party in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Sydney and Walda Besthoff at the installation of Wangechi Mutus Crocodylus in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Sydney and Walda Besthoff with the "Sydney" award for outstanding commitment to the visual arts, NOMA Director Susan Taylor with Sydney and Walda Besthoff at the opening of the expansion to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Sydney J Besthoff. See Photo by @yas.thecreator on Instagram. You get various views, including the two in the lagoon itself. Besthoff served as chairman and CEO of K&B until 1997, when he sold it to the Rite Aid Corporation. The 12-acre tract, which grew out of a collection that the couple had amassed, contains upwards of 90 pieces by such artists as Henry Moore, Maya Lin, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Teresita Fernandez and Shirazeh Houshiary. Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is ranked #14 out of 29 things to do in New Orleans. to see possible family members, friends, co-workers, and associates found from multiple government records, social and public sources. Check Full Reputation Profile K&B was known for its distinctive purple color. Resides in New York, NY. It has happened in the past with gifts. Another well known real estate developer in New Orleans, Mr. Kabacoff was involved in countless apartment, condo, and hotel operations throughout New Orleans and the greater gulf coast area, and has now expanded across the country. You have permission to edit this article. RP:But in your view of art, you feel very differently. With our exposure via the Contemporary Art Center, years ago, we became well aware of that situation. Those were the basic conditions. Now we think we know what we are interested in. Theres lots of shrubbery, and the fence will be covered in five years. With Walda, Sydneys goal was to create a new way for NOMA to expand and broaden its audience, while creating ways for New Orleanians to experience art in a relaxed and informal setting. He pursued the collecting of sculptures just as eagerly as he had pursued the acquisition of drugstores, Walda Besthoff said. to see who they are and learn about them, based on information from public records and government sources. A native New Orleanian, Besthoff graduated from the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park to see possible family members, friends, co-workers, and associates found from multiple government records, social and public sources. Sydney Besthoff in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 2003 (Photo by Kathy Anderson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)(Kathy Anderson), The K&B Drugs Store at the Magnolia Shopping Center on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie, as photographed in 1979. In 2004, Sydney won NOMAs Isaac Delgado Award, given to a distinguished individual or organization whose long-term service, support, and dedication to the museum set precedents for the institution.
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