THE ART OF GIVING BACK
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Although they couldn't personally make it to the Detroit Institute of Arts, President George W. Bush and his wife, first lady Laura Bush, wanted to offer their congratulations to Richard A. Manoogian, for whom the museum named its American Art Wing Dec. 11.
So Laura Bush sent a message via video, in which she heartily thanked the Masco Corporation executive chair for his contributions to the DIA, the National Gallery and even the White House, where the Bush family can admire some of the fine works Manoogian has acquired over the years.
True to form, the modest business leader blushed as the first lady sang his praises.
When it comes to tooting his own horn, Manoogian of Grosse Pointe Park is basically Donald Trump's antithesis. But the philanthropist, former DIA board chair and current chair emeritus accepted the accolades — albeit reluctantly — as hundreds of friends and members of the art community gathered to celebrate the opening of the Manoogian Wing.
"I am humbled and even a bit embarrassed (by all of the praise)," Manoogian said. "I normally shy away from being an honorary guest ... but my love for this institution overshadowed the reservations I may have had."
The son of an Armenian immigrant who came to America in the 1920s, Manoogian calls his family the "classic immigrant success story." His father, Alex, founded the auto parts business Masco in 1929, after working on the line at Ford Motor Company for several years. Richard Manoogian, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University, started working for Masco in 1958.
From his family's humble beginnings, Manoogian learned the importance of generosity.
"We've always believed that if you're lucky enough to do well, you should give back to the community and support others," he said.
Manoogian said he became involved with the DIA as a board member in the 1960s because of a sense of civic responsibility. He wasn't an art collector then, but credits his work with the museum and its curators with inspiring him to buy art.
"It was meeting collectors that got me excited about collecting," he said.
Since then, he and his wife, Jane, have assembled a remarkable American art collection, which they regularly loan to institutions around the country. Manoogian has a hard time selecting a favorite artist, but does admit that Albert Bierstadt's 1878 oil, "The Shore of the Turquoise Sea," is one of his favorite paintings.
Manoogian's longtime support of the museum made him a good choice for the honor, said Kenneth Myers, curator of American Art at the DIA. For the wing's current installation, Manoogian loaned more than 20 paintings dating from 1650-1900, helping to tell the story of American art from that period, Myers said.
Besides his staunch support, "he's just a sweetheart," said DIA COO Nettie Seabrooks.
"Richard has done so much for so many people, so many museums," Seabrooks said. "He's got (artworks) all over the country."
Current DIA Board Chair Gene Gargaro of Grosse Pointe Shores, a Masco vice president, said Manoogian is the reason he became involved with the museum.
"We're fortunate to have a number of important supporters, but he'd be right there at the top," Gargaro said of his friend and colleague — a sentiment echoed by DIA Director Graham Beal.
He may not relish the attention, but Manoogian hopes the publicity encourages others to give to the museum, as well.
"I think institutions like the DIA are important to the community, important to schoolchildren, important to our businesses and the economic well-being of the area," he said.
Manoogian has three grown children who live in California, none of whom followed their father into the family business or even into the arts. He does have a 7-year-old grandson who may be taking a few cues from him, though: Manoogian said the boy is already an avid collector, albeit only of things he cuts out of magazines and frames.
- By K. Michelle Moran, Arts & Entertainment Editor
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Jean Eckian
- 1805 The Khanate of Shirvan (Shamakhoo) is included in the Russian Empire.
- 1864 Birth of Nicoghayos Marr (orientalist, linguist, and archeologist). He died in 1934.
- 1920 The Dashnaks organize the "self-government of Siunik". In 1921 it is reorganized and renamed the "Government of Mountainous Armenia".
- 1920 The first Work-Saturday (subbotnik) is organized in the Armenian SSR.
- 1991 The Soviet Union is dissolved. Mikhail Gorbachev resigns.
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