Journalist and art collector Joan Agajanian Quinn with twin daughters Jennifer Quinn Gowey and event host Amanda Quinn Olivar, Smithsonian Archives of American art trustee (right) in front of the Robert Dowd painting “Skymaster” (1968), an acrylic on canvas. (photo by Alan Shaffer)

On May 21, trustee Amanda Quinn Olivar hosted the Smithsonian Archives of American Art to celebrate the appointment of its new director Anne Helmreich. The event was held at the home of Amanda’s twin sister Jennifer Quinn Gowey and brother-in-law Eric Gowey. The Beverly Hills home was featured in David Hockney’s 1968 painting “American Collectors” (Fred and Marcia Weisman) that is part of the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago.

The event was attended by Amanda and Jennifer’s mother Joan Agajanian Quinn, as well as many Los Angeles-based artists such as Chaz Bojórquez, Woods Davy, Laddie John Dill, Shepard Fairey, Jim Ganzer, Yolanda Gonzales, Alex Hedison, George Herms, Charles Hill, Pamela Smith Hudson, Andy Moses, Claudia Parducci, Astrid Preston, Joey Terrill and Elyn Zimmerman. Approximately 100 people were in attendance.

“The Archives of American Art has answers to vital questions about why art and artists matter. Our collections contain profound stories that will help future generations understand who we are and how we got here,” Helmreich said. “As we look to the future, the archives will continue to collect to reflect the breadth of the American experience and to develop innovative programming that connects with new audiences, powering future creativity.”

Helmriech is a widely published art historian, administrator and educator. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, she served as associate director of grants programming at the Getty Foundation. She also brings her experience as a former dean, director of an interdisciplinary humanities center and art history professor to further the mission of the Archives of American Art.

The Smithsonian Archives of American Art collects, preserves and makes available primary sources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States.