Fall 2023 Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) Newsletter

IN MEMORIAM
A TRIBUTE TO MARIAN BOLZ,
1929-2023
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has suffered
a great loss in the passing of longtime Trustee and friend,
Marian Bolz. Knowing Marian was to know friendship,
loyalty, warmth, compassion, excitement, enthusiasm,
kindness, and more.
For sixty years, Marian was a dedicated member of the
Museum’s Board of Trustees. If she was not the chair, she
was a member of the committee, helping steer projects
such as Art Cart, Arts Ball, the Museum Store, Holiday Art
Fair, Trash and Treasure, and Art Partners, along with lectures,
travel tours, and much more. Many of these activities,
programs, and events continue today. In addition, she
represented the organization at international conferences
of the Volunteer Committees of Art Museums (VCAM) and
served as Co-Chair of VCAM’s Mid-West Regional District.
Image from MMoCA Arts Ball 2006
As President of the Art League she recruited volunteers from all avenues of the Madison community who,
in turn, joined her in supporting the Museum’s mission. When she was elected President of the Board of
Trustees, she helped the organization transition from the Madison Art Center on Gorham Street to the
current downtown Madison location on State Street.
In 1986, she was named a Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Life Trustee, an honor she accepted
with great pride and responsibility. She never lost sight of her commitment to MMoCA and helped guide
the Museum with accountability and transparency.
The loss of Marian Bolz has left a void in the cultural and non-profit Madison community and beyond. She
would be pleased to know that her legacy continues.—Valerie Kazamias, Fellow Life Trustee and Friend
IN MEMORY OF THEODORA
“TEDDY” ZEHNER, 1944-2023
For over 30 years, Teddy was a fixture at MMoCA dating
back to the days when it was called Madison Art
Center. She was a regular at exhibition openings, lectures,
gallery tours, fundraisers, and art fairs. Not only
was the Museum a source of joy and artistic stimulation
for Teddy, but it was also where she formed some
of her most meaningful friendships.
Teddy’s enthusiasm, passion, and generosity were
influential and infectious, making her a valuable leader
Image courtesy of Katie Dowling-Marcus and mentor on MMoCA’s Board of Trustees and committees.
She served as president of Art League, MMoCA
Volunteers, and chaired multiple successful fundraisers including Design MMoCA and Hair Affair. She
was also a regular volunteer at Holiday Art Fair and Art Fair on the Square.
Teddy especially valued her role as an MMoCA Docent and was part of the very first class trained in
2006. She enjoyed gaining first-hand knowledge from artists and curators in order to lead educational
tours of exhibitions.
The Museum benefited, and continues to benefit, in countless ways from Teddy’s time, energy, and
generosity. Remembered for her sense of humor and her warm, magnetic charm, Teddy will be deeply
missed by MMoCA staff, artists, her friends, and so many in our community. Per her wishes, donations
can be made to MMoCA in her honor.—Katie Dowling-Marcus
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