Mary
Norton Shands, Chairman Emeritus, Founder of the Kentucky Museum of Art and
Craft and a longtime civic leader, died Saturday, August 15th at
her Crestwood home, surrounded by the art and craft that so thoroughly
enriched her extraordinary life.
The
visual art and craft family of Kentucky are greatly saddened at her passing,
but ever grateful for her wisdom, foresight and passion in support of the
artists of our state.
The
staff of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft will miss her passion, drive,
enthusiasm and heart-warming humanity.
Her
husband Rev. Al Shands puts her passion for the arts and her relationship with
the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in context.
'The
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft has become practically part of
the genetic material of the Shands family here in Louisville over the past 25 years. Commissioned
by Phyllis George Brown in 1981 with my wife Mary as President working with a
very capable state wide board selected by her, the Kentucky Art and Craft
Foundation, as it was called then, rapidly became Mary's major
passion.
The
gallery and offices were located where we had our offices on Main Street, and not
a day went by that we did not stop to view an exhibition, shop, or chat with the
staff. Mary's trips with the board around the state to visit Kentucky craftspeople
were legendary. With the collusion of Phyllis George and Mary, there were trips
to New York and Los Angeles where Kentucky craft boutiques were set up in major
department stores like Bloomingdale's and Neiman
Marcus.
Public
response was major, and before we knew it we had become collectors. In the
intervening years, of course, many things have changed, but what has not changed
is the joy of direct personal support of Kentucky artists shown, represented and sold
at the Museum gallery.
The past
25 years are a monument to Mary and her original board in the firm belief they
all shared in the future of Kentucky craft art. Their vision was realized
on a path many after them have followed.'
Al
Shands
July
2009
Memorial
gifts to the Museum in Mary's honor can be made by clicking
here or by calling (502)
589-0102
