When asked about his thoughts on Canvas, Dr. Paul Monroe stated: “Canvas is a great organization. I love your members’ enthusiasm. Your sponsored programs are something I try not to miss.”
Paul, a resident of Richmond’s Fan district and an active member of VMFA, has always had an interest in the arts. Although not the concentration of his formal education, his interest in the arts was always there. Paul and his wife, Sara, began collecting prints to decorate their home and their desire to discover more about artists and individual works deepened. Paul began to dive deeper and read more about artists whose work he enjoyed. His focus shifted to younger and less known artists as these works were less expensive and more accessible for a new and ambitious collector. “Trying to appreciate less established artists and figuring out for myself what was good demanded more commitment and careful judgement,” Paul said. “Engaging with the artists and their advocates really intrigued me.”
Although Paul has several important pieces in his collections, he has two favorite pieces he specifically notes. The first is Little Sisters by Kiki Smith, which was one of his earliest purchases. His other favorite is a recent painting by the artist Portia Zvavahera, entitled Zvandizvuvira Kwaai (I Was Taken to Him).
Paul’s commitment to collecting is evident in his home and his approach to VMFA. He enjoys visiting the 21st century galleries to see new contemporary works, but also recommends exploring VMFA’s encyclopedic collection to discover areas that may be unfamiliar. He suggests “finding great work that gives you exciting new insights.”
Over the past few years, Paul has worked closely with the Canvas Advisory Committee to share his expertise and insights about art fairs, auction houses, and independent galleries. His active engagement and knowledge of new artists continues to inspire our members.