Donor Highlight: Maria and Ronald Temkin
Longtime Miami residents Maria and Ronald Temkin have been enthusiastic supporters of Bakehouse for decades. While they don’t consider themselves serious collectors, their passion for supporting young artists and the local creative community runs deep. Regular attendees of Open Studio programs and Bakehouse events, the Temkins believe in the power of art to shape communities and enrich lives.
Karli Evans of All Seeing Media, 2024.
In this interview, they share why they believe in Bakehouse’s mission, the importance of supporting artists, and their hopes for the organization’s future.
Why is it important to support artists and the organizations that serve them?
We believe humanities education, including art, is important to making a well-rounded person and community. We have always been interested in history and art and our activities locally and travels have centered around these interests. We exposed our children to these themes early on and as a result they studied art and history. They are now successful in careers that support the humanities. Therefore, we hope to be able to help others in this endeavor as well by contributing to Bakehouse.
What inspires you about Bakehouse?
We believe Bakehouse serves as a model of a successful, evolving artist community supporting the creative aspect as well as the practical necessities of artists.
Why should someone donate to Bakehouse?
Donating to Bakehouse assists the arts at a local level, especially when government funding for the arts seems to be in jeopardy. Thus, the private sector needs to meet these needs.
What is your wish for Bakehouse as it embarks on its next generation 21st-century artmaking?
We believe that Bakehouse should continue to champion diverse cultures and artistic practices. It should continue to engage with the community at large through outreach programs and events. We think it is very important to have exhibitions, workshops and accessibility to the facilities in order to foster community interest. In short, our wish is for its continued success.
Where would you like to see Bakehouse in three years?
Bakehouse should be able to aid and inspire as many people as possible who will continue creating art. The organization should proceed looking into providing affordable living spaces, as well as artists’ studios. And, in a city where Art Basel and other art fairs have reached a high level of success, Bakehouse should be recognized as a unique and thriving artist community both nationally and internationally.