Dallas-based art collectors and philanthropists Howard E. Rachofsky and Thomas Hartland-Mackie have announced the formation of The Warehouse Dallas Art Foundation (The Warehouse). The jointly operated nonprofit has stated its mission as “to educate the public by creating exposure to the perspectives of new curatorial voices and exhibitions that prioritize experimentation and exploration.”
The Warehouse
This announcement marks a shift for the art space known as The Warehouse, which was opened in 2012 and originally co-founded with collector Vernon Faulconer. Prior to the opening of The Warehouse, the Rachofskys showed curated exhibitions of their private collection at The Rachofsky House, a private residence designed by Richard Meier and completed in 1996, with site-specific outdoor sculptural works. The Warehouse, located at 14105 Inwood Road, is an 18,000-square-foot property with 16 galleries. This space provided an opportunity to exhibit both the Rachofsky Collection and Mr. Faulconer’s collection until his death in 2015. The Warehouse has also allowed greater access to the Rachofsky Collection by the public than was previously available. In the new space, the public programming and educational tour opportunities have increased greatly.
In a press release, Mr. Rachofsky said, “Cindy and I have spent our lives collecting art and taking opportunities to learn more about the world through this shared passion of ours, consistently loaning artworks to numerous international museums and mounting our own exhibitions here in Dallas. We are fervent believers that as custodians of these important objects, it is our duty to create opportunities for members of the public to be exposed to these great artists of our time. Partnering with Thomas and setting up this foundation together ensures that our educational mission of fostering greater understanding through art will continue for generations to come.”
Mr. Rachofsky and Mr. Hartland-Mackie have known each other for years, at times providing inspiration and guidance in one another’s collecting approach. Mr. Hartland-Mackie is President and CEO of Labora Global Ltd., a holding company for the Mackie Family business interests including City Electric Supply, City Electrical Factors, Segen, and Soligent. Mr. Harland-Mackie and his family have been collecting for over a decade and have acquired more than 300 works, including pieces by Josh Kline, Anicka Yi, Rashid Johnson, Elaine Cameron-Weir, Alex Da Corte, Hugh Hayden, and Dana Schutz.
The announcement of the foundation explained that, “Curators and artists alike will be provided the freedom to workshop ideas, present questions to the public, and initiate new discoveries through exhibitions curated from both collections, as well as through shows featuring artists and works outside of either collection. An emphasis will be placed on younger and historically overlooked artists.”
Last week, Mr. Rachofsky told ARTnews, “The idea of the foundation is really to give [the collection] a long-term future, an indefinite future, if you will and not to just terminate when I’m terminated, so to speak.”
In regards to the future of the collection, it is noteworthy that in 2005, the Rachofskys, along with fellow Dallas collectors Rusty and Deedie Rose and Robert and Marguerite Hoffman, pledged their entire collection to the Dallas Museum of Art upon their death. A spokesperson for The Warehouse Dallas Art Foundation explained that the formation of the foundation does not alter the bequest in any way. They noted, “The Warehouse will be able to access and exhibit works from the Rachofsky Collection once it becomes part of the DMA in the same way that it could request works from other public or private collections for exhibition purposes.”
The inaugural exhibition of The Warehouse Art Foundation will open in February 2025, featuring works from both the Rachofsky and Hartland-Mackie family collections. Learn more about The Warehouse and its upcoming exhibitions via the organization’s website.
1 comment
Well written article- Thanks