GEODES FROM THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT R. WIENER

The man who first publicly objected to the City of Rye's plan to demolish the building at 51 Milton Road, which the then-called Rye "Art" Center had briefly occupied with classes and gallery exhibits, continues his support to this day. At a heavily attended town meeting in 1984, Mr. Robert R. Wiener stood up before the citizens of Rye and the City's leadership to decry this plan and to pledge his support for saving the Center. From 1984-1987, Bob spearheaded the so-called "51 Milton Campaign" that raised community support and the necessary funds to renovate and reclaim our home.

Bob exemplifies the Mission of The Rye Arts Center: He continually renews his commitment to RAC in numerous ways and on numerous occasions. He is an active supporter of cultural endeavors for all and a staunch believer in extending the educational value of the arts to underserved populations. Examples of Bob's influence extending beyond our walls are programs for Head Start in Port Chester and for steAm initiatives throughout the Sound Shore. The geodes that he shares with us form the latest chapter in his enduring support of The Center that began thirty-five years ago.

A dedicated and prescient collector, Bob has amassed a vast collection of magnificent crystals that originate in geodes—long in advance of the current vogue for collecting them. While galleries, auction houses, and individual collectors are now focusing increasing attention on these works, Bob has been admiring and collecting them for more than fifty years. What distinguishes Bob’s collection is that his voracious appetite for collecting geodes is informed by his deep knowledge and boundless love of these “rocks.” Rather than collect jewelry, decorative objects or artworks that feature crystal forms in a variety of contexts, Bob maintains focus on the rocks themselves. Aesthetics account for his choice. Bob's stellar collection rivals those in museums of natural history around the world, and they have been displayed in art and science museums.

This collection of stellar works is a testament to Bob’s aesthetic sensibility, his visual acuity, and his generosity in sharing these unique objets d'art with us. For all these reasons, The Rye Arts Center dedicates The Robert R. Wiener Geode Garden to honor Bob's sharing his loving, enthusiastic appreciation of the blending of Art, Nature, and Science, which all are invited to experience.

- written by Gail Harrison Roman, PhD, curator

Adapted in part from the essay "A Tribute to Robert R. Wiener" in the 2021 catalog for the exhibition Nature's Art: Geodes from the Collection of Robert R. Wiener.