T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — A sign stands in front of the door of the Fisher Art Museum, stating it is temporarily closed and something new is coming soon. A banner across the top of the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center website states the museum is closed until further notice. Ten pieces of the more than 40 belonging to the Fisher Art Collection are scheduled to be auctioned off at Christie’s in November.

Joining the ranks of paintings such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi,” Andy Warhol’s “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” and Vincent van Gogh’s “Vase with Fifteen Flowers” through the years, some of the Fisher Art Collection will be sold on the auction block at Christie’s.

Fisher Governor Foundation Board Member David Tank said they entered an agreement with Christie’s New York City location to consign 10 items from the Bill and Dorothy Fisher collection, which contained more than 40 pieces. Two will be auctioned during the Nov. 17 20th Century Evening Sale, six during the Impressionist and Modern Day Sale on Nov. 18 and they expect the remaining two pieces to be sold privately or auctioned at a later date.

Tank assured the decision to sell the artwork was not made suddenly.

“Although our analysis was not performed in public, our deliberations were careful and extensive and based on a near unanimous consensus of those on the respective boards,” he said.

What drove the analysis and decision were the challenges faced by the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center (MACC) over the last several years, where the Fisher Art Museum is housed. The building sustained damage from the 2018 tornado and the 2020 derecho. Then the Marshalltown City Council, in January, voted to provide funding for one year, rather than three, after previously rejecting a funding agreement by a narrow vote in 2024. Tank said the storms and the lack of adequate necessary funds for the MACC to continue serving the community led to the board’s decision.

“After the city withdrew its support, the two foundations established by the Fisher family engaged in a discussion about how they could collaborate to address these issues,” he said. “Those discussions involved consideration of a host of possible solutions, and we have devoted a significant amount of time and effort over the last year or so engaged in a process to decide what we believe is in the best interests of Marshalltown.”

During those discussions, foundation members considered ways to address short-term challenges facing the MACC, and conducted a comprehensive assessment as to whether assets held by the Fisher Governor Foundation represented the best and most strategic investment for Marshalltown.

“After all, the art had been available to the residents of Marshalltown for more than 60 years, and the value of some of the paintings had increased significantly during that time,” Tank said. “Based on this big picture assessment and moving past the short-term challenges, we decided that a rebalancing of asset categories was called for.”

While maneuvering to preserve a viable and credible collection of art, he added that the foundation members believe the correct balance has been reached.

“Based on our discussions with and confidence in Christie’s, we concluded that a sale this year of the works in question made sense from a timing, art market perspective,” Tank said.

The hope is for the sale of the art pieces to result in proceeds exceeding $10 million. One of the paintings, Paul Signac’s “L’Odet a Quimper,” is estimated by Christie’s to be valued between $6 million and $9 million.

Tank, stating that it is a possibility not all 10 pieces will be sold, added that they have not yet specifically earmarked how any of the potential proceeds will be used, beyond promoting the cultural enrichment of Marshalltown and the MACC. However, the board members have confidence in the auction company, and Christie’s was highly recommended, especially given the philanthropic goals.

“They traveled to Marshalltown and were amazed at the level of quality reflected by the collection, and that the collection had been so well preserved over the years,” he said. “Although we considered other options, the Christie’s staff demonstrated to use from the beginning a deep appreciation for the collection and a commitment to promote and sell the works in a way that is consistent with our goals.”

Tank, and a few other Fisher Governor Foundation Board members, intend to be at the New York City auctions in person, and the auctions will also be available online. He said it has been an honor to continue the philanthropic tradition established by Martha-Ellen Tye.

“With that said, we all struggled initially with the prospect of selling parts of the art collection, and whether doing so would be consistent with the vision of the Fisher family for Marshalltown,” Tank said. “After devoting substantial time and effort to consider all options and to think deeply about what is in the long-term best interests of Marshalltown. I am confident that the sale is not only consistent with their devotion to the community, but that it will greatly enhance our ability to serve Marshalltown for many years to come.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.