A Triad of Loss: Remembering Arts Champions Bill Ivey, Guy Cogeval, and Marilyn A. Zeitlin

1 day ago7 min read3 comments

The cultural landscape has dimmed with the recent passing of three monumental figures: Bill Ivey, Guy Cogeval, and Marilyn A. Zeitlin.Their departures mark not just a moment of collective mourning, but a fundamental shift for the arts community, which relied on their distinct and powerful forms of leadership. Each championed art from a different vantage point, yet together they formed a crucial support system for the creative world.Bill Ivey, the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, was a folklorist and a formidable advocate. He fought tirelessly in the political arena, defending art not as a luxury but as the bedrock of national identity.His work was a masterclass in arguing that a country's soul is reflected in its cultural heritage—from grand opera to local crafts. Guy Cogeval, the visionary president of the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, was a master storyteller.His exhibitions were not mere displays; they were immersive experiences that wove paintings into rich narratives of their social and intellectual eras. He possessed a theatrical flair, making historical art feel vibrantly contemporary and emotionally resonant.Marilyn A. Zeitlin, the transformative director of the ASU Art Museum, was a pioneering force for contemporary art.She cultivated her institution as a laboratory for innovation, championing challenging and underrepresented voices. Known for her deep, empathetic engagement with artists, she provided a vital platform for risk-taking and creative exploration.The loss of Ivey the advocate, Cogeval the storyteller, and Zeitlin the innovator underscores the essential, often unseen, ecosystem that nurtures art. Their enduring legacy lives on in the policies they shaped, the exhibitions they brought to life, the artists they empowered, and their unwavering belief that art is a public good essential to a thriving society.

#Bill Ivey

#Guy Cogeval

#Marilyn Zeitlin

#obituaries

#art world

#museum directors

#featured

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