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08/01/2023 11:57 AMThe Scranton Memorial Library held the grand opening of its new art exhibit donated by residents Penny and Allan Katz on July 25. The art donation is described by Library Director Sunnie Scarpa as “an amazing cultural gift” that is already bringing in visitors from around the country to view.
The Katzes are recent Madison residents but fell in love with the town and its library shortly after moving to town, according to Penny Katz. After viewing the library, the idea of donating pieces from their renowned personal art collection seemed like an ideal choice for the couple, and they praised Scarpa for her efforts in bringing the idea to fruition.
“When we walked through this space, we were amazed. This library is such a wonderful addition to the community. So much is going on here, and for all ages, so there is something here for everyone and hope that is true of art,” said Penny Katz. “Sunnie worked with her staff and included them in the decisions of what pieces would be selected and really made it a collaboration.”
“We feel like the donation will provide another dimension to this beautiful building,” said Allan Katz. “Great libraries throughout the world have art in them, so it seemed like the perfect time and perfect situation to approach Sunnie about this, and she was so great. This is really all because of her. If we had met with Sunnie and introduced this concept, and it had been a situation of all this red tape and everything, I would have said to Penny, let’s do this at another time or another place. But Sunnie just embraced it, and it was wonderful.”
The Katzes have developed a reputation as art and antique dealers specializing in 19th and early 20th century American folk art. For more than 20 years, Allan has been a regular featured appraiser on the TV’s Antiques Roadshow on PBS.
The donated collection represents works of realism, abstract, expressionism, and minimalism across a spectrum of mediums, including paintings, works on paper, photography, collage, limited edition prints, mono-prints, and mixed media.
“Sunnie was just so receptive of the three hundred pieces initially under consideration,” said Penny Katz. “We are thrilled that we could be part of this.”
Scarpa said the donation was an incredibly generous move that will reap benefits for the town for generations to come.
“It is great to see people like Penny and Allan who are just so dedicated to their community. Anyone from Madison or any other community can come and enjoy these works anytime the library is open and for free. It is great, not just in making the library beautiful, but in creating a dialogue about what works they like, what they don’t like; that bringing of people together is what we were after. It definitely fits with the library’s mission of bringing people together around ideas and cultural activities. We are thrilled,” said Scarpa.
The Katzes said the gift is deeply connected to their effort to bring these important works into the public realm.
“We were actually sad to have this in storage. Penny is a trustee of the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and that is our mission to get the art out there. We loan it to museums and institutions because if it’s sitting in storage, you can’t send the message,” said Allan.
Visitors to the library can obtain a paper copy list and biography of the exhibit and artist details and take a self-tour of the works. The art is located throughout the building on all three floors.