Herb & Dorothy is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. This sweet, old married couple held jobs as a Librarian and a Postal Worker for years and during that time amassed a collection of over 4,000 pieces of ground-breaking art. And they’re not millionaires, not even close. They visited NY galleries & studios every night, talked to artists about their process, bought 3-4 pieces at a time on a makeshift lay-a-way program, became well-known as amateur curators – and that’s not even the best part.
The best part is that when their tiny one-bedroom apartment became too filled with art to actually live in, they turned down tons of offers to sell the collection, and instead gave it to the National Gallery of Art. And even though the museum did insist they take (an undisclosed amount of) money, they chose to stay in their apartment and spend that on even more art, which they will eventually turn over to the NGA.
Herb & Dorothy Vogel are my new heroes. They don’t care about money. They care about art, aesthetics, beauty – and sharing it all with others. They prove definitively that anyone can appreciate, love and buy art. Plus, it’s clear they adore each other as much as they love their collection.
They are simply amazing people who did this incredible thing completely outside the rules and I love them dearly for it.
{Herb & Dorothy only plays 3 days at the Northwest Film Forum, tonight, July 31 through Sunday, August 2. Go buy tickets now!}