Campaign Spotlight: Nancy and Wayne Chasen

Longtime members Nancy and Wayne Chasen recently made a major gift to support the museum’s expansion and upcoming exhibitions. The couple’s philanthropic priorities have been shaped by their volunteer experiences at VMFA and an appreciation for the museum’s role in the wider community.

Wayne’s perspective is informed by his service on the VMFA Foundation Board of Directors and a long career in commercial real estate, including his current role as President and CEO of Gumenick Properties. “VMFA is unique among cultural organizations,” he explains. “It has not only helped put Richmond on the map, but has driven growth in other cultural amenities. When we first moved to Richmond in the 1990s, for example, there were a few notable restaurants in the city but now those options have exploded. VMFA’s rise has helped establish a new level of sophistication.”

Special exhibitions are an especially important draw for tourists and transplants to the city. “We love that VMFA is able to bring exhibitions from all over the world to Richmond as well as showcase VMFA’s collections and curators,” Nancy remarks. “It’s such an eclectic mix of media and topics; there really is something for everyone.”  Mindful of the ripple effect that exhibitions have in the museum and beyond, the Chasens have lent their support to Whistler to Cassatt: American Painters in France, Tsherin Sherpa: Spirits, The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Impulse, Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities, Edward Hopper and the American Hotel, Working Together: Louis Draper and the Kamoinge Workshop, and Compositions in Nature: Ansel Adams. Their recent gift also includes future sponsorships.

Both Wayne and Nancy value the relationships they’ve built through VMFA. As a Council volunteer for nearly a decade, Nancy was introduced to different aspects of the museum, including the library, VMFA Shop, and youth programs, and always enjoyed spending time with her fellow volunteers. The couple frequently attend museum programs and tours, especially around special exhibitions. “We always learn something new and really appreciate meeting other people who are passionate about VMFA,” she explains. “When you have young children, many of your activities and relationships are built around them. Now that our daughters are grown, we’ve been delighted to find a new sense of community through the museum.”

As much as the Chasens enjoy their experiences at the museum, VMFA’s impact in the wider community was the inspiration for their gift. “VMFA’s efforts to appeal to many different audiences and serve every corner of Virginia sets this museum apart,” Wayne notes. It’s a shift Nancy observed first hand as a volunteer at coat check. “VMFA visitors represent every age, cultural, economic, and racial  background,” she explains. “That’s a testament to Alex Nyerges’s efforts to make VMFA more accessible and welcoming to everyone. He has made the phrase ‘It’s Your Art’ a reality.” 

Chasen Family Painting Conservation Studio in honor of Stephen Bonadies

A second component of the Chasens’ gift recognizes Stephen Bonadies, who retired last year from his position as VMFA’s Chief Conservator and Senior Deputy Director for Conservation and Collections. In addition to his dedication to managing and caring for the collection, Bonadies worked to increase diversity in conservation, a highly specialized field that requires a unique combination of skills in art and science. With grant funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Science, Bonadies implemented paid internships and fellowships at key points in the training pipeline as well as collections care workshops to support smaller institutions across the state.

“Stephen is always willing to share his expertise in a way that’s engaging, inclusive, and accessible to any audience,” notes Nancy. “He has a remarkable ability to explain scientific concepts and cutting-edge technology in everyday language that conveys how important this work is to the museum.” Wayne adds, “Stephen has done so much to draw people into conservation, whether through training opportunities for the next generation or having conservators work in the galleries and talk to visitors. We wanted to honor his talents as a teacher as well as his overall contribution to the conservation program.” The Nancy and Wayne Chasen Family Painting Conservation Studio in honor of Stephen Bonadies was dedicated in May.

We invite you to learn more about the Campaign for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts by visiting this page or contacting Jasmonn Coleman, Assistant Deputy Director of Development, at campaign@VMFA.museum or 804.340.5529.