The Art Institute of Chicago announced today that Denise Gardner, a 15-year trustee of the museum and vice chair for the past five years, will succeed Robert Levy as chairman of the Art. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Meanwhile, pre-pandemic, it had been developing an ambitious new plan for the future, one that included bringing in a European architecture firm to help it reimagine the museums sprawling physical space and even how it might adapt its mission to contemporary culture. "We're here for the public, not the few. Yet even established collections can use a tune-up, said Ms. Gardner, who has focused lately on adding works by women of the African diaspora. She said she thinks about it each Easter. Now the museum is as well. Join ArtTable's Chicago Chapter for a conversation with Denise Gardner as she shares insights and experiences from her career journey, including roles as a senior executive in the marketing and beauty/hair care industries, a passionate art collector and philanthropist, a dedicated member of numerous boards and committees, and her newest role as the first woman . Gardner has experienced firsthand the benefits of making meaningful connections throughout the city. We found 15 records for Denise Gardner in Chicago, Elgin and 8 other cities in Illinois. Art Institute of Chicago trustee Tom Pritzker, who led the nominating committee for the board, said in the release Gardner emerged as the clear leader during the search for a new chair. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. She has served on the boards of The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Humanities Festival. In November, she assumed her new role, becoming the first Black person and woman chairperson for the museum and the School of the Art Institute. . Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Join Facebook to connect with Denise Gardner and others you may know. They sold the company the following decade, and have since turned their attention to collecting and philanthropy. Her vision for the Art Institute reflects our commitment to an inclusive understanding of human creativity, Pritzker said. What will be possible going forward will depend in large measure on how the institution and people generally come out of the pandemic, acknowledged Levy, who will stay on the board. Gardner built a career as a leader in her field: president of Insights & Opportunities, cofounder of Namaste Laboratories, and vice president of Soft Sheen Products. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. Before moving to Denise's current city of Chicago, IL, Denise lived in Blue Island IL. In her final production asChicago Shakespeare Theaterartistic director,Barbara Gainesstages Shakespeares riotousThe Comedy of Errors,imprinting her legacy of inventive and captivating interpretations of the Bards work for todays audiences. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Their dedication to access and equity in the arts has extended to college access for under-represented students, which they support through the Denise and Gary Gardner Scholarship Fund at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Notable alumni and faculty include Georgia OKeeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons. ", SEE MORE: Black & Powerful: ABC7 presents series exclusively streaming on connected TV apps, ABC7Chicago.com, Gardner described herself as a history buff, and said her love of research and history deepened her love of art. Chicago, IL. Lori Sapio/ Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work is still unfinished, Gardner said. With her professional background and a nearly 30-year relationship with the Art Institute as a volunteer and philanthropic leader, including 15 years as a trustee and five years in her current role as vice chair of the board, Gardner is uniquely positioned to advance the strategic vision of both the museum and the school. Denise Gardner, who has championed Black artists, as well as art accessibility and education for underrepresented audiences. Representation is important.. In addition to her work with the Art Institute, Denise is a member of the boards of the Arts Club of Chicago and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and previously served on the executive committee of the Chicago Community Trust, the board of visitors of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, and the boards of the Chicago Humanities Festival and the Chicago Public Library. Youth and Adult Summer Registration Now Open! Pink Panthers Gang Suspected as TEFAF DiamondThieves, Ukraine Issues Banksy Stamp, Secret Life of Dal Painting Revealed, and More: Morning Links for February 27, 2023, Former Payroll Manager from Art Institute of Chicago Indicted for Stealing $2 M. from Museum. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. And I enjoy exceeding peoples expectations., Denise Gardner stands on the Art Institute's Grand Staircase in a 2021 photo, in front of the 1958 sculpture "Hero Construction" by School of the Art Institute graduate Richard Hunt. SAICs new faculty members represent a diverse range of practices, media, and methodologies and exemplify SAICs focus on interdisciplinary studies. They never take it down; its there every day.. She has rooted much of her philanthropic work in driving positive outcomes for Chicago youth, including expanding college access for Chicago students through the Denise and Gary Gardner Scholarship at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Robert M. Levy, the board's current chairman, will remain on the board after Gardner takes over in November. Denise Gardner in Chicago, IL We found 16 records for Denise Gardner in Chicago, IL. Its hard to avoid the historical significance, Gardner said in a telephone interview on Monday. Im looking forward to collaborating with her and the chair of SAICs board of governors, Anita Sinha, as we plan for the future.. Their holdings of at least 130 works offer a sweeping look at modern and contemporary Black art, from pioneers like Henry Ossawa Tanner to modernists like Charles White and Norman Lewis. Gardner has been an executive at multiple companies, serving as the president of Insights & Opportunities; cofounder of Namaste Laboratories; and vice president of Soft Sheen Products, founded by her husbands parents. Gardner has a longstanding commitment to access, diversity, and equity in the arts. In this role, I can help the museum accelerate its progress.. Gardner, 66, will succeed Robert M. Levy whose term ends in November at the helm of the Institutes school as well as the museum. How soon will people feel comfortable enough in crowds to return revenue to previous levels? Dr. Gardner provides psychotherapy to parents, children, adolescents and young adults. Lori Sapio, Denise Gardner, 2021. For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Throughout my tenure as chair, she has been a thought partner and a valuable member of the executive committee. As a member of the Black Trustees Alliance, Gardner is developing key relationships across institutions and playing a critical role in shaping the future of arts leadership throughout the country. communications@saic.edu and we'll Scottish Environmental Activists Smash Glass Case of Sword inProtest, Thomas H. Lee, Collector of Photography and Contemporary Art, Is Dead at 78, Alice Waltons Art Bridges Foundation Is Buyer of $4.5 M. Robert Colescott Painting Auctioned by Bonhams Last Week, Ronald Lauder Reaches Agreement on Klimt Painting with Descendants of Original Jewish Owner. All Rights Reserved. Gardner has a longstanding commitment to access, diversity, and equity in the arts. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago President Elissa Tenny. She will take the steering role at the encyclopedic art museum and leading art college at a pivotal moment in their history. I am thrilled that Denise has agreed to take on this responsibility, shared Levy. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. Gardner, 66, has been involved with the Art Institute for nearly 30 years, including a 15-year tenure as a trustee and five years in her current role as vice chair of the board. Sometimes Denise goes by various nicknames including Denise B Gardner, Denise R Gardener and Denise R Gardner. The couple was awarded the Art Alliance of Illinois' Citizen's Advocate Award in 2018. The Joffrey's Director . He and Denise cofounded a former market leader in the ethnic HBA field, and he was president of another family-owned market leader in the 1990s where Denise led their marketing team. A longtime trustee of the museum, Gardner will be the first African American and the first woman to hold the position. We're here so people from all 77 neighborhoods of Chicago can come here, feel comfortable here and feel like there's something here for them," Gardner said. Gardner follows Robert M. Levy as the leader of the governing body of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the museum. She is a transformational leader, drawing the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and museum closer to those we serve, while expanding who is in that audience. Coming out of the pandemic, Gardner said, Its a time for innovation, renewal and thinking intentionally about making progress. She said its heartening that the museum has begun to liven again. Get 5 free searches. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. Shes a great collaborator and has been an important voice in helping us shape what this could be, said Rogers, who chairs the Black Trustee Alliance. CHICAGO The collectors Denise and Gary Gardner are very public in their support of "Charles White: A Retrospective," an exhibition now at the Art Institute of Chicago that will travel to. Steele retired all six Padres batters he faced, then headed to the bullpen to throw 25 more pitches. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicagosboard of trustees. The Second City Announces Recipients of The Inaugural Victor Wong Fellowship For AAPI Voices In Comedy, Jinkx Monsoon Announces 'Everything at Stake' Tour Dates, Video: First Look At The World Premiere of SHATTERED GRADIENT From Shattered Globe Theatre, What You Need to Know About the World Premiere of PROXIMITY at Lyric Opera of Chicago. I welcome that. The World's Premier Art Magazine since 1913. So, who are they collecting now? She has led the couples significant art collecting, particularly of Black women artists. It has been my honor to partner with Denise for many years, said James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the museum. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader. She certainly could have been chair.. But I dont have a problem with that. All Rights Reserved. Im looking forward to helping the museum move forward to becoming even more of a dynamic and leading cultural gathering place and institution in the city.. Denise Gardner stands on the Art Institute's Grand Staircase in a 2021 photo, in front of the 1958 sculpture "Hero Construction" by School of the Art Institute graduate Richard Hunt.