$14 Million Art Collection Donation Establishes The Linda and J Randolph Lewis Wing at Figge Art Museum
June 14, 2024 | In the PressFrom River Cities' Reader (https://www.rcreader.com/news-releases/14-million-art-collection-donation-establishes-linda-and-j-randolph-lewis-wing-figge)
DAVENPORT, IOWA (June 11, 2024) — The Figge Art Museum is honored to announce the establishment of The Linda and J Randolph Lewis Wing, made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Dr Randy and Linda Lewis (below) of Davenport, Iowa. The Lewises’ remarkable gift of forty-four works of modern and contemporary American art valued at $14 million by Christie’s, New York, marks a momentous addition to the Figge’s collection.
For fifty years, the Lewises have passionately collected works by influential artists such as Romare Bearden, Milton Avery, Marsden Hartley, Helen Frankenthaler, and Alice Neel. These artworks embody the innovative spirit and diverse perspectives of American art over the last century. This gift will significantly enhance the Figge’s collection and fill crucial gaps in the museum’s galleries.
“We are deeply grateful to Dr Randy and Linda Lewis for their visionary contribution,” said Melissa Mohr, Interim Executive Director at the Figge Art Museum. “The impact of this gift on our museum and community cannot be overstated. The Linda and J Randolph Lewis Wing will stand as a cornerstone of the Figge’s mission to bring art and people together, fostering creativity and cultural understanding, and inspiring dialogue. This is indeed a transformative moment for the Figge Art Museum and for the broader cultural landscape of the Quad Cities.”
The Lewises’ journey from their upbringing in northern Ontario, Canada, and immigrating to the United States to becoming prominent art collectors and supporters in Davenport, Iowa, underscores the profound impact of philanthropy. Their dedication to art and community is evident in their more than three decades of involvement with the Figge, serving in volunteer, staff, and leadership roles.
“We’ve lived in Davenport for thirty-six years, and this community has been very good to us. It just seems easy to do this, and to know that people will enjoy it, and that it will be here for a long time. When you are nearing the end of your life — and we are — you start to think about what you’re leaving behind, what of value you have to leave future generations. It makes us feel good to give back to the community,” shared Dr Randy and Linda Lewis.
Their gift of forty-four artworks will help the museum attract more visitors locally, nationally and internationally, contributing to the museum’s ongoing success and vitality.
Marsden Hartley (American, 1877-1943), Church with Lobster Pots, circa 1941-1942, oil on panel, 27½ x 22 in, Gift of Linda and J Randolph Lewis, 19 February 2024
“The Lewis Collection features exemplary works by influential American artists. While the Figge’s collection is strong in areas like Regionalism, Spanish Colonial art, and Haitian art, we have relatively few examples of artworks from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries by artists that feature prominently in the art historical canon. Linda and Randy’s gift transforms the Figge’s collection in a way that would have otherwise been unimaginable. Due to their generosity, the museum will be able to share the more complete story of art.” said Joshua Johnson and Vanessa Sage, Co-Senior Curators at the Figge Art Museum.
Inspired by the philanthropic legacies of Dr Walter Neiswanger and Charles A Ficke, the Lewises hope to encourage other collectors to consider how their collections might benefit their communities and future generations.
Beginning this summer, visitors will have the opportunity to view pieces from the Lewis Collection in the newly dedicated Linda and J Randolph Lewis Wing on the second floor of the Figge Art Museum (formerly the permanent collection galleries).
