Her Story
About Lorraine
I've been in the fine arts for 47 years, though I originally trained in a different field with a bachelor's degree in English creative writing, a master's degree in journalism and communication, and a bachelor's degree in anthropology. I was headed in a different direction as a fine arts writer and photographer, but I got enchanted with the world of art when I was on an interview about artists and exhibitions. I met an artist who eventually became my husband, and I became his manager. He has had 163 one-man exhibitions throughout the world, showing primarily in universities, museums, and public institutions. Through the years, we've had a number of cultural projects that we have fostered and promoted. I helped start a documentary film festival and was president for 12 years. We started a Hot Springs poetry reading that I think is the longest poetry reading currently. Right now, we have one of only 300 single-artist museums in the world, located in Marble Falls, Texas. It's called Museo Benini, and it's a 6,500 square foot museum on 25 acres where we're establishing sculpture by international artists. Everything we do is free of charge, and our mission is to promote and enrich cultural experience, providing opportunities for both the artists and the people who live here. At 76, I'm still working every day at these projects.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lorraine
01What do you attribute your success to?
First off, hard work. I'm 76, I'm still working every day at these projects. But it's also a focus on impeccability, not only in my own work, but in work that, in the past, I represented, or, for example, the work that we have here at Museo Benini. It would not be associated with anyone who wasn't serious and professional about their own work. It's also the mission to bring cultural and educational opportunity to areas that perhaps have not had the opportunity. I think one has to love that which one decides to do, because without the passion, it's not worth it. But when you have passion for that which you do, then it's easy.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A number of artists and organizations are having difficulty now, in particular, because there's a lot of disruption in our educational system across the country. The school system is lacking the budget to increase their educational opportunities. People are trying very hard to hold on to their own personal moral values and their own personal financial outlook. I think anyone would agree things are unsteady at this time, and that includes the world of art. But the good thing about the world of art is that it can also provide solace, it can provide serenity. It can provide the opportunity to come to a place like our museum, which someone just yesterday described as reminding them of a cathedral with the serene environment. Art can provide sort of an emotional comfort for people during trying times.
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