MOCA remembers Mandy Einstein

Madeline (Mandy) Einstein demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to contemporary art, philanthropy, and MOCA. She spearheaded key initiatives for the museum, led philanthropic efforts across the community, and–with a remarkable warmth and grace–acted as an ambassador for the museum, welcoming countless guests into her life, home, and ever-increasing circle of friends. While we are saddened by her passing on August 31, we are forever grateful and celebrate her brilliant legacy.Mandy joined the MOCA Projects Council in 1988. The following year, as a member of the council’s board, she initiated a practice of partnering with artists to produce and sell artwork multiples to raise funds for the museum’s exhibitions and education programs. Over the decades, she produced multiples with distinguished artists Kelly Akashi, Robert Graham, Evan Holloway, Wangechi Mutu, Yoshitomo Nara, Kenny Scharf, and Ricky Swallow, among others.

Earlier this year, and with her blessing, we happily announced that Mandy would be honored at the upcoming Distinguished Women in the Arts Luncheon and Awards Presentation on January 11, 2024 organized by the MOCA Projects Council. Mandy had declined the offer to honor her service on several occasions in previous years, eschewing the spotlight and preferring to honor others’ efforts. However, this year, she did agree to accept the honor, saying that it now felt like the right moment. We are certain that her spirit and joy will inflect every aspect of the celebration in her honor.

Mandy has been a key pillar of the museum community along with her husband Cliff Einstein, current MOCA Trustee, serving since 1994, and Chair Emeritus. Their commitment began in the mid-1980s as Benefactor Founders. They served together on the museum’s Acquisition and Collection Committee for nearly three decades. Over that time, they built their own incredible collection, a significant portion of which is promised to the museum. Those promised gifts may be exemplified best by Kerry James Marshall’s Club Couple, 2014. The painting depicts a man and woman, seated together at a restaurant or club table, up martinis in front of them, holding each other’s hands, and smiling as they look directly back at the viewer. A fashionable couple in love. Through the COVID lockdown of 2020 and 2021 that painting was consistently behind Mandy and Cliff on zoom meetings, framing them, and representing their love for each other, contemporary art, and the museum.