Lily de Jongh Downing, a well-known and respected figure in the art world in Manhattan and Fairfield County for decades, has been named a trustee of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Located in Hartford, the Wadsworth is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, opening its doors to the public in 1844.
Describing the Wadsworth as “the cathedral of art in Connecticut,” Downing, who lives just over the Greenwich line in North Stamford, expressed pride and enthusiasm as she participated in her first meeting of the Wadsworth’s Board of Trustees.
Widely recognized and well respected, Downing is a Partner, with her husband, David Yudain, at Downing Yudain LLC, a Fine Art Consultancy and Gallery. She has been affiliated with the fine arts community for more than 35 years, serving as an advisor to collectors and in gallery management.
Ms. Downing has overseen numerous exhibitions throughout her career; she was Director and Vice President for 25 years at New York City’s Gerald Peters Gallery, a prestigious showroom for collectors of predominantly American art, and, on leaving Peters, has curated dozens of shows at the Barn @ Downing Yudain, her private gallery located in historic Long Ridge Village in North Stamford. Prior to Peters, she worked for Hartford native Jeff Cooley at his Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme and at Andre Emmerich Gallery in New York.
The Barn @ Downing Yudain, which has operated for nearly a decade, deals in art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, American and European Modernism and Impressionism, Ashcan and Hudson River Schools, among others.
“Lily’s depth of knowledge and inspiring commitment will be a tremendous asset, supporting our efforts to engage more community members throughout our state and beyond,” said Board President Gerard Lupacchino. “Her contributions will be of great value as we pursue new ways to bring the Wadsworth’s collections to life through reinvigorated storytelling and energizing exhibitions.”
“We are thrilled to have welcomed Lily to our Board,” said Jeffrey N. Brown, CEO and Director of the Wadsworth. “She brings a wealth of art world expertise and experience from her phenomenal career, paired with a longstanding connection to the Wadsworth that will benefit us greatly.”
Downing’s previous associations with the Wadsworth include long-time membership in the Society of Daniel Wadsworth where she forged wonderful friendships early in her career. The Wadsworth has always been a favorite museum for Downing, who says it was the depth of the collection and groundbreaking exhibitions that initially drew her to the museum.
“I look forward to contributing to the already thriving community at the Wadsworth, particularly introducing the museum locally, and re-energizing partnerships with the many vibrant arts organizations in Fairfield and Westchester counties,” Downing said.
Downing is serving on the Wadsworth Board planning committee for a Silent Auction fundraiser to be held this fall. In addition to her new role as a member of the Wadsworth Board of Trustees, Downing sits on the Board of Trustees and on the Collections Committee of the Fleming Museum at the University of Vermont; serves on the Collections Committee of Greenwich Historical Society; recently served on the Transition Committee identifying and hiring the new Director of the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, and now sits on the Bruce’s Development Committee there. She has co-chaired the art action for the annual Bruce Gala for the past three years.
Active in the art, philanthropic, and equestrian communities of Greenwich, Stamford, and Westchester County, Downing lives in a restored, circa 1770 farmhouse with her husband, Greenwich native David Yudain, and their five dogs, four horses, and two cockatiel birds. She is the mother of adult twins, Jackson, at UVM Medical School, and Libby, a 2L at Fordham Law. Ms. Downing is a graduate of the University of Vermont.
She is one of three new members recently elected to the Wadsworth’s Board. Joining her are Robert Dance and Elsa Núñez. All three were elected to a full term in November 2021.
