Karen and Kevin Kennedy ’70

By Olivia Munnelly ‘20

Our class trip to New York City provided all of us with great insight as to how the art world and art market operates. In almost all of the interviews we conducted, our interviewees stressed the importance of training our eyes, and exposing ourselves to all of the art we possibly could. Many also stressed the importance of networking, and how this can provide you with great opportunities in the art world, whether they be in auction houses, galleries, or museums. As many were collectors, curators, or experts in American art, they stressed the importance of studying the art in this field. Each interview had its similarities, but each also  provided us with different insights and advice for getting into the art world. 

The most memorable interview for me was speaking with Karen and Kevin Kennedy, and viewing their large collection on display in their home. Their home was beautiful, full of American art pieces that are familiar to many of us, as we have looked at these artworks in class. As a college student, I did feel a bit out of place in such an ornately decorated setting. However, I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to view their collection in their home, and to be able to speak with them about their collecting. I felt that Kevin and Karen were much like how I expected them to be, and it was exciting to meet the very people KTSA is named after. I found it interesting that Kevin and Karen do not always decide where and how their works are displayed, and instead have art consultants who organize and shift their artworks around. Many works in their collection are often loaned out to other institutions, and their consultants usually decide what will replace the loaned out work. Kevin told us that one of his favorite works he had purchased was a dandelion painting by Charles Burchfield. He felt a nostalgic connection to Burchfield, who painted a lot of scenes in upstate New York, because these scenes reminded Kevin of his times at Hamilton. When talking about why he collects certain works, it seemed to be more of a gut feeling for him. He collects paintings that speak to him, like the works of Charles Burchfield. 

One of the most interesting things to come out of this interview was when Karen mentioned that she did not want their collection left to a museum. This surprised me, because it was the opposite of what I expected, and also the opposite of what Carol and Tony Frischia would later say about how they hoped their collection would be left to a museum. Kevin and Karen had recently sold a work to the Met, but Karen seemed unhappy and felt that the work would never be put on display. Karen said she would rather their collection to be left to a private collection, because she felt that a museum would mostly leave the works sitting in the basement, and that they would not be viewed and admired as she felt they should be. I have never really thought about museums in this way, and I would have considered a museum the best place for people to have access to and be exposed to different works of art. I never thought about how many artworks must sit in storage at these large institutions, and I can understand why Karen would not want their collection to be left behind in that way.  

Kevin and Karen Kennedy were gracious hosts and I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to view their collection and to have been able to discuss the art world and collecting with them. Although neither of them pursued a career in the art world, because of their means, they were able to amass a large collection of artwork. I was also surprised to learn that Kevin was a studio art major at Hamilton, which clearly shows that he has always been passionate about art. Going forward, I will definitely think more about what art speaks to me and why it does so. I will also consider how museums may be great public institutions, but how there are so many works sitting in their basements that public has never been, and may never be, exposed to. Meeting the Kennedys was a very memorable experience, and something I will reflect on when considering a future career in the art world, or if I ever begin to collect art myself.