Museum acknowledges contributions of Steckiw collection of Ukrainian art (06/14/98)

Museum acknowledges contributions of Steckiw collection of Ukrainian art

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - The desire to preserve what is close to the heart from one's own culture stems from genuine interest and requires determination and dedication. In many instances it is a lifelong project. Within The Ukrainian Museum's circle of members, friends and supporters there are individuals whose cultural quests have resulted in substantive collections that exhibit the artistic range and achievements of Ukrainian artists, past and contemporary.

The collection of Dr. Eugene and Neonila Steckiw includes many paintings, drawings, etchings and sculptures created by Ukrainian artists from 1960 through the 1980s. Featured are artists such as Myron Levytsky, Edward Kozak, Jacques Hnizdovsky, Mykola Nedilko, Halyna Mazepa, Ludmyla Morozova, William Kurelek, Bohdan Mykola Muchyn, Mirtala, Mykola Hlushchenko and Volodymyr Patyk, among many others.

The Steckiws enjoyed collecting paintings and sculptures, but their interest in art also extended to the welfare of the artists as well. Over the years many Ukrainian artists, working under difficult economic conditions in order to establish themselves in their professional capacity in the United States, benefited greatly from the assistance and promotional efforts of Dr. Steckiw. Acting on the artists' behalf, he urged his medical colleagues to purchase their work and was instrumental in arranging art shows within the Ukrainian community.

In 1992, 94 works from the Steckiw collection were compiled in a representative, illustrated color publication titled "The Art Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Steckiw." Published by the couple, the book opens with the statement that, "all proceeds from sale of this publication benefit The Ukrainian Museum in New York City." The elegantly bound book, with the Steckiw ex libris by artist Tyrs Venhrynovych as its enhancement, is yet another expression of the Steckiw's continued devotion and support of Ukrainian art and culture.

On March 10, Mrs. Steckiw died in Sarasota, Fla., where the couple had retired. Dr. Steckiw requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Ukrainian Museum in memory of his wife. No doubt such support of the museum would have pleased Neonila Steckiw, since in their book both addressed the future of their collection: "After we are gone, these works of art will become the property of our children, but a large number of them have already been deeded to The Ukrainian Museum in New York City."

"The Art Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Steckiw" is available at the museum's gift shop or by mail order for $20 plus postage and handling. The Ukrainian Museum's address is: 203 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003; telephone: (212) 228-0110; e-mail: Ukr.Mus.@aol.com.