brava July 2007 57

B y A n n e M . C o n n o r

Po r t r a i t P h o t o by B i l l Fr i t s c h

simona

Simona Chazen smiles infront of “Pistachio” by

Helen Frankenthaler, part ofthe Chazen Museum of Art’s

permanent collection.

Through her$20 million gift,

this generousphilanthropist

shares her lifelong passion

for art with the people of

Madison

chazen

58 July 2007 brava

terflies to katydids. It’s a child’s — not tomention an entomologist’s — dream.

The excitement is a joy to SimonaChazen, who believes that early expo-sure to museums is a boon for childreneverywhere.

“You need a chance to be introducedto the arts,” Chazen says. “I think it’s won-derful when it happens at an early age. Ifyou take your kids to museums, art isgoing to feel accessible. I think kidsalways respond to music and art. Just givethem a chance.”

Experiencing art, from the East Coast to the Midwest Chazen was given that chance from anearly age. She talks about growing up in ahome with parents who collected artifacts.

“They had a Victorian house and theyfurnished it with stuff they found every-where — at the Salvation Army, in sec-ondhand and antique shops. They had agood eye and they would come homewith incredible treasures.”

Although she grew up in New Jersey,there was never any question that shewould stay there to go to college.

“I wanted to come to the UW since Iwas about 14 years old,” Chazen says.“One of the things that was very seductiveis that I had a friend who was a couple ofyears older than me and she said it was anexcellent journalism school, a very liberalschool. I never applied to any otherschools but this one.”

Chazen remembers coming to visit theUW and spending a lot of time near thelake. Among her favorite memories is “thesense that this was a really marvelousplace to be. Even when I was feeling mis-erable…what a wonderful place to bemiserable.

“It’s hard for me to understand people[in college] who get bored because I thinkthere’s never enough time to see what youwant to see, hear what you want to hear,eat what you want to eat,” Chazen contin-ues. “If you were interested in literaturefrom 1842-1845, there was probably aclub here.”

Although she and her husband wereboth from out East — Jerry’s a New Yorknative — the two didn’t meet until theyboth landed in Madison and were intro-duced by a mutual friend.

“[I met Jerry through his roommate],just by chance,” she says. “I was walking T

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“You need achance to beintroduced tothe arts,”Chazen says. “I think it’swonderful whenit happens at an early age.”

New Yorkers are loyal. NewYorkers are passionate. Theyare protective of their city,their arts and their lifestyle.

New Yorkers, come to think of it, are a lotlike Wisconsinites — although whilewe’re busy cheering our teams, NewYorkers are cheering their way of life.

A marriage of Wisconsin and New YorkSo what would happen if you mixed his-tory from Wisconsin and New York? Inthe case of Simona Chazen, a student anddistinguished alumna from UW-Madison,and her equally distinguished husband,Jerome (a 1948 UW graduate in econom-ics), the mixture’s already complete.

Last year, the Chazens pledged $20million to create the University ofWisconsin’s Chazen Museum of Art, anexpansion of the former ElvehjemMuseum, in an act of generosity that willdouble the size of the museum and laythe foundation for an arts corridorstretching from University Avenue to theshores of Lake Mendota and up to theCapitol Square.

Museum chatterWalk into the Chazen Museum on aschool day and you’re likely to be greetedby the chatter of children, excited aboutthe latest exhibit, which on this day wasabout bugs. Not just any bugs mind you;this was a stimulating exhibit called“Silver Wings and Golden Scales,” aninstallation that incorporates the bodiesand sounds of insects ranging from but-

along on Langdon Street and ran into thisfriend. He asked, ‘Are there any fabulouswomen, bright women, you know that Ishould meet?’ and I said, ‘As a matter offact, there is one.’ [He and this woman]started dating and a short while later hesaid ‘One good turn deservesanother; I’d like to introduceyou to my roommate!’”

That was more than halfa century ago.

Now married for 57 years,the Chazens went on to havethree children and Chazenraised them all over theworld while her husband,one of four co-founders ofLiz Claiborne and founderand chairman of ChazenCapital Partners, followed anintense career path.

“We were both involvedwith bringing up the kids,but Jerry was very busy build-ing his career,” Chazen says.They spent a good amount oftime in the Midwest and eventually landedin New York. Today, they live in UpperNyack, about 20 miles north of the city.

Eventually, Chazen went on toearn her master’s degree in clinicalsocial work from FordhamUniversity.

“When my children weresmall, I was doing some vol-unteer work for a shelter forwomen. One day, about sixmonths into the project, I hadthis epiphany,” Chazen says. “Ithought, ‘I’m sitting in the rightchair in the right place. How do Iget legal in this?’” She went back toschool and has been helping others,in one form or another, ever since.

“I was an assistant director at a familyagency for some time,” she says, “but I’vebeen in private practice for 30-plus years.”She still specializes in her passion, issuesof divorce and domestic violence.

Blending livesAlthough Chazen’s life is anchored in NewYork, her Wisconsin ties have stayed strong.

Her eldest daughter, Kathy, graduatedfrom the UW and her grandson, RossChazen Banon, is currently enrolled.

“The poor soul is suffering in Barcelonafor a time in his junior year,” Chazen says

with a chuckle, though she’s clearly proudthat he’s studying abroad.

She and her husband come backabout twice a year, Chazen says, in partbecause of her involvement in the councilof the art museum.

Photos (from top): Simona Chivian (Chazen) and Jerry Chazen, win-ter 1947; Opening day of the Chazen’s personal art collection show,

“Dual Vision,” at the Chazen Museum of Art. Front row (left to right):Jerry Chazen, Simona Chazen and Ross Chazen Banon. Back row (left to

right): Larry Miller, Kathy Chazen Miller, David Chazen, Deborah LundChazen, Louise Chazen Banon and Sid Banon. Simona and Jerry at a fraterni-

ty formal at the Loraine Hotel, December 7, 1946.

brava July 2007 59

2005, the couple pledged their gift to helpexpand the museum.

“This is all part of [UW Chancellor]John Wiley’s vision of an arts corridor thatruns from University Avenue to LakeMendota,” Chazen says. “The museum is

the first brick to this structure, hope-fully followed by an expanded artsschool and buildings for the per-forming arts. In Wisconsin, as ineverywhere, government fundingfor the arts is down,” she says,explaining the need for individualsto step forward and fit the bill.

Russell Panczenko, director of themuseum, has felt these cuts firsthand.

“A study concluded in 1998-99pointed out that we had no possibil-ity of expanding the museum with-

out a significant lead gift,” Panczenko says.“The Chazens’ generous donation of $20million makes the building expansion pos-sible. It also serves as an inspiration to oth-ers and an assurance that the project willindeed be completed.”

The expansion, which will provide sig-nificantly more exhibit and auditoriumspace, will allow for more unique and his-torically diverse exhibits.

“An exhibition of still-life paintingsfrom the renowned Medici Collections,which are complex and logistically

“Over the years we’ve visited becauseour children attended UW and now, ourgrandchild goes here. Usually we’re justhere for a few days,” Chazen says, “but wesample the fine restaurants, go to theMadison Opera, and of course we love thenew Overture Hall. We always go down tothe lake,” she adds, “and my husbandusually wants ice cream at Babcock Hall.”

Giving back to the University Chazen has served on the advisory boardof the museum for many years, and in ä

challenging, are on the not-too-distanthorizon,” Panczenko says. “A dreamwould be to offer an exhibition ofImpressionist paintings. Our new facilitieswill make such exhibitions more easilyattainable.”

Four decades of collectingThere is a certain point when people stopdecorating with art and move toward

collecting it. For the Chazens, that daycame nearly 40 years ago, when they pur-chased prints by Robert Motherwell andRoy Lichtenstein. Their collection ofprints, paintings, drawings and sculp-tures has grown in leaps and bounds andnow includes more than 500 pieces by200 modern and contemporary artists.

“Our tastes are eclectic,” Chazen says.“They range from Jacques Lipschitz andFrank Stella to Roy Lichtenstein. We collectGerhard Richter. We also collect objects,ceramics and glass. We have a fairly largecollection of modern studio glass.”

The studio glass movement began inthe 1960s with UW art professor HarveyLittleton, who is considered the father ofthe modern glass movement. Chazen saysthey enjoyed glass in part because it was“one of the arts where you could meet andknow the artists because they were living.”It was a medium they would come to love.

“I think that when glass came on thescene — it kind of burst on the scene, firstand foremost by its beauty. I rememberwhen we made our first major purchase;

Jerry and I were looking in the window of agallery and the sun was pouring in. We werelooking at this really gorgeous glass withthe light from outside shining through it.Later, artists began to manipulate the glassin many ways, making it opaque so thelight played differently through it.”

The Chazens own several of Littleton’spieces, one of which is on display at theChazen Museum of Art. They also admirethe work of Dale Chihuly, who studiedwith Littleton and whose glasswork is fea-tured in venues as diverse as UW-Madison’sKohl Center and Las Vegas’ Bellagio hotel.

“Chihuly is an endlessly creative per-son,” says Chazen. “He’s been sort of theLouis Tiffany of this century, publicizingglass art all over the world. He’s a friendof ours and we admire what he does.”

Still, what the Chazens admire andwhat they collect sometimes differs.

“[Our pieces] tend to be very figura-tive, the human body or human face, orthey tend to be very abstract.”

Asked if she is artistic herself,Chazen answers with an emphatic “No.”But she does have a special related tal-ent. “Museum curators tell me that Ihang art very well,” she says with alaugh.

“Simona has a wonderful aestheticsense and can discern artistic quality,”says Panczenko. “This is a special talent.”

Chazen admits her instincts can betrusted.

“I have a very visceral response toart,” she says. “I don’t like somebody totell me about [a piece of] art or the artistbefore I see it. If it stays in my mind,then I want to know more. There was apainting by Tom Wesslemann that wedidn’t buy for six weeks after we saw itand it haunted me. I said to Jerry, “Ithink that’s a message.”

Did they buy it?

“Oh yes,” she says with a mischievoussmile.

Raising their children to appreciateart, and those in needThe Chazen’s children appreciate art,although their mother adds that they havetheir own directions.

“One likes modern art,” she says. “Theothers … it’s a combination. Still, I think ifyou grow up with people who appreciateart and live with wonderful objects, you’llfind beauty all around you.”

Although the Chazen children werebrought up to appreciate art,they were also — and perhapsmore importantly to Chazen— brought up to be philan-thropic.

“They work very hard,” shesays with pride. “We’ve alwaysfelt that if you’re fortunateenough, you need to give back.That’s what you do in a civi-lized society. My parents werethat way. Jerry was brought upthat way. It didn’t relate to how

much money you had; you gave. You’realways more fortunate than someone else.”

Fortunate indeedChazen has also spent a lifetime giving backat work, and by volunteering and at work.

“My psychotherapy practice is quiteactive,” Chazen says. “I deal with a varietyof issues. These days, someone may comein because they’ve lost someone, a mateor a parent. I also see people who havebeen victims of incest and rape, of domes-tic violence.”

How does she maintain the passionfor what she does?

“I’m in the middle of it,” she replies.“The people who come to me are fright-ened; they’re frightened to talk abouttheir problems. Talking about themmakes their issues seem more real.

“I see people with life’s problems,”Chazen continues. “I don’t see people whowould be better off with a psychiatrist,someone with obsessive-compulsive disor-der or someone who needs medication.I’m dealing with life’s problems. All I do isgive people the tools to be themselves.”

One thing that gives Chazen particularsatisfaction in her practice is seeing theway attitudes have changed toward thegay community.

“I think that when glasscame on the scene—itkind of burst on thescene, first and foremostby its beauty.”

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Simona and Jerome Chazen donated “Red Squared Descending Form,” byHarvey K. Littleton, to the Chazen Museumof Art. It is now part of the museum’s permanent collection.

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Simona Chazen continued on page 119

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Into the Deep continued from page 13

respectful; they touch things they should-n’t. You’ll hear of people saying they rode amanatee. Why would you want to ride amanatee? You shouldn’t touch anything.Leave nothing behind, and don’t take any-thing either. If my grandchildren dive inthese places someday, I want them to beable to see the same exact things I’ve seen.”

Baer is appalled by the practices shefinds in some countries. “In areas in Asiayou can feel and hear dynamite underwa-ter. Fishermen set dynamite, then gatherthe dead fish as they float up. They sell

them for food, and in the process damagethe reefs. It’s sad but true.”

For those of us who would like toexperience the same beauty Baer has, shestresses that it’s never too late to start.

“[General] fitness is paramount, nomatter how old you are,” she says. “It’s agreat incentive to keep fit if you know youwant to go on a dive in the next month.

“There are lots of dive shops that givelessons. Give it a try. You don’t have to bea great swimmer, but you do have to feelcomfortable in the water.”

Baer has commemorated her love ofthe water with two tattoos.

Baer observes marine life up close.

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“It’s a great incentive to keep fit ifyou know you want to go on a

dive in the next month.”

“When I was first certified, I gave myselfa graduation present,” says Baer. This firsttattoo, on her shoulder, is a stylized spadefish with trailing seaweed. Baer liked it somuch she later added a pair of seahorses,one red and one green, high on her rightthigh. “You can’t see them unless I’m wear-ing a bathing suit, but I know they’re there.

“They’re very tasteful, very nice,” Baercontinues. “I consider them my alterna-tive to jewelry. I’ve gotten these instead ofa pair of diamond earrings!”

And surely, they’re more representa-tive of the joy Baer has gotten from the seathan any diamond ever could be. #

Simona Chazen continued from page 60

“I have what is known as a ‘gay friend-ly’ practice,” Chazen says. “I guess I had afew clients who were gay and they toldtheir friends. They used to come in [withissues] of coming out. Now they come into talk about everyday life issues, just likeeverybody else.”

She sees patients about 25 hours aweek, plus whatever time’s needed “to dorecords.” She also gives her time toVolunteer Counseling Services ofRockland County and is a founding mem-ber of the Rockland County FamilyShelter. She’s also a founding member of

the Law Guardian Committee of the NewYork State Appellate Division and a for-mer board member of the NOW LegalDefense and Education Fund.

“Jerry is on the board of theMetropolitan Opera,” Chazen adds of herspouse, “and we’re both great supporters ofthe Museum of Arts and Design. We’re alsogreat Jazz aficionados. We support the92nd Street Y,” a world-renowned commu-nity and cultural center. “If you think you’lllike it, you’ll find it at the 92nd Street Y.”

With all this going on, how doesChazen find time for herself?

One senses that Chazen is doing justthat with every new assignment she takes

on. Although she and Jerry have had com-pletely different professional careers, hisin fashion design and finance, hers insocial work and the arts, their marriage of57 years has been a blending of passionsand interests that come together overWisconsin, their children and the arts.

“For many years, I was Jerry’s wife,”Chazen says, “and then he started comingto my events. There he became Simona’shusband.”

How did he feel about that?“I think after the initial shock wore off

he was OK with it.”And how did she feel?“I grinned.” #