Richard Pousette-Dart - 1985 Newspaper Review

Socially Speaking
by Betty Wickwire

Sun Reporter
Thursday, March 28, 1985
Woman’s Editor

American Master Painter draws crowd at ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries

For once, the art crowd was in agreement: the exhibit was so outstanding it out-dazzled even the stellar figures in the crowd.

The event was the opening of Richard Pousette-Dart’s mini-retrospective of paintings from the 1940s to the present at ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries, and the cognoscenti agreed on its historical importance.

Pousette-Dart, youngest of the first-generation of abstract expressionists of the New York School, has exhibited throughout the world and is in the collections of many major museums—but this was his first show in the deep South.

“This may well be the most important exhibition ever held in the history of Miami,” said Dr. Phillip George to Virginia Miller, who curated the show.

Judy and Dr. George, a prominent surgeon and past chairman of the board and vice-president for endowment of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, invited the entire Pousette-Dart entourage to their spectacular bayfront home to show them their collection, which includes two Pousette-Darts.

‘This may well be the most important exhibition ever held in the history of Miami,’ said Dr. Phillip George
to Virginia Miller, who curated the show.

Left to Right, Richard Pousette-Dart, Marty Margulies,
Fran Ruwich, Evelyn Pousette-Dart

Also on the scene was mega-collector Marty Margulies, who hosted Richard and Evelyn Pousette-Dart at his Grove Isle digs; along with Pat and Larry Stewart, former chair of the Channel 2 Art Auction; collector Fran Ruwitch, whose hubby, publisher Lee Ruwitch, was off in Costa Rica fishing; Sothebys’ rep Areta Kaufman with husband Jeffrey, financial consultant and investor; and Helene and Irwin Adler, the real estate developer.

Also canvassing the scene were Jan van der Marck, director of the Center for Fine Art, who owns one of Pousette-Dart’s paintings, with spouse Ingeborg; Sam Hunter, critic and former director of The Jewish Museum; and George Bolge, director of the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, who spoke to the artist about an exhibition there when his spectacular new facility opens.

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