In Memory of Dr. Paul Parkman, Inventor of Rubella Vaccine

A true American patriot who saved millions of lives all over the world, Dr. Paul Parkman was remarkably modest. Whenever I heard him speak about the discovery that led him and Dr. Harry Meyer to figure out a way to stop the Rubella virus from its deadly course, he was quite matter-of-fact and humble about it.

One thing that cannot be overlooked is Paul’s selfless generosity. He and Harry had the rights to the vaccine they developed, but they didn’t keep it for themselves. They could have taken their patent to a drug manufacturer and made a lot of money, probably billions by now, but instead they assigned their patents to the National Institutes of Health, for the good of mankind. This generosity stands in stark contrast with today’s dollar-oriented individuals who think more about becoming rich than achieving something significant toward the common good.

President Lyndon B. Johnson’s words captured the importance of Paul and Harry’s discovery, and their contribution to the welfare of our country. The good that came from their work continues to help people around the world. We should have many more people like Dr. Parkman, outside of political actors and the people who try to control availability of immunization and the drug industry business opportunity seekers, men like Paul need to be recognized for their selfless goals and achievements.

Paul will be fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts go to Elmerina, Paul’s companion and mate since their childhood years. Together they brought a solid presence to the support group of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Art Museum, with their curiosity and sincere interest in art made of glass. Their contribution to the arts, through building a collection and befriending many artists, and donating artworks to museums, has been done with much thought and care. Through their generous attitude and actions Paul and Elmerina have made a positive difference to the lives of others.

—Dan Dailey

Donations in Dr. Parkman's memory may be made to: Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, MRC 510 Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, Attn: Paul Parkman Donations

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Parkman Coupe, 1988. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Elmerina and Paul Parkman

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The Musée des Arts Décoratifs at The Louvre Acquires 18 "Character Heads" Drawings

PARIS, FRANCE — The Musée des Arts Décoratifs has accepted a gift of eighteen conceptual drawings from the archive of artist Dan Dailey. The Museum already owns The Doctor (above), a vase from Dailey’s 1988 Character Heads series of twenty blown glass vessels based upon these original pencil drawings.

The Prince / Chief / Warrior / Major

The Chef

The Counselor

The Doctor

The Genius

The Baffoon

The Sage

The Matron

The Duchess

The Soldier

The Dignitary

The Magician

The Dryad

The Gourmand

The Empress

The Strongman

The Shrew

The Stripper

“These eighteen graphite studies for anthropomorphic vases testify to the place of drawing in [Dailey’s] creative process and its close relationship with glass,” writes Museum Director Christine Macel. “We are grateful for such a gift that will enrich our collection.” The museum also owns Dailey’s Flute Véronèse 17, a gift from the Daum crystal factory (Nancy, France) where Dailey has worked periodically as an independent designer since 1976.

Located in the north-western wing of the Palais du Louvre, The Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts), is dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of the decorative arts from around the world. With approximately one million objects in its collection, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is the largest museum of decorative arts in continental Europe. It is one of three museums operated by the non-profit arts association Les Arts Décoratifs, founded in 1882.

"Banana Woman" of the Face Vase Series is Acquired by the Peabody Essex Museum

SALEM, MA — The Peabody Essex Museum has announced a major gift of the glass collection of New York-based philanthropists, Betty and Carl Pforzheimer. The Carl and Betty Pforzheimer Collection contains over 200 works of international studio glass and 40 pieces of historic European and American glass. Among these works is “Banana Woman”, a 1990 blown glass vase by Dan Dailey from his Face Vase series (1988-1997).

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This acquisition significantly expands PEM’s noted historic glass collection while celebrating the extraordinary aesthetic possibilities that the combination of sand and fire achieves. Selections from this collection, which is remarkable for the diversity of form, scale and technique, will go on view in PEM’s Native American and American Art galleries this year. In 2024, the collection will be featured in the new Pforzheimer Gallery.

“Betty and Carl Pforzheimer have assembled an astounding collection, featuring the work of more than 90 artists, many of whom will be represented in PEM's collection for the first time,” said Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, PEM’s Executive Director and CEO. “The Pforzheimers’ generous donation of works and companion funding establishes PEM as an important destination for experiencing this remarkable medium and also assures the long term accessibility, care and scholarship of the Pforzheimer Collection for generations to come.”

Founded in 1799 by America's first global entrepreneurs, the Peabody Essex Museum is a museum of international art and culture dedicated to connecting art to the world in which it is made. Through its exhibitions, programs, publications, media, and related activities, PEM strives to create experiences that transform people's lives by broadening their perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of themselves and the wider world.

Bar Scene — A New Residential Installation

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Dan Dailey has completed the installation of a custom blown glass illuminated sculpture in a Scottsdale Arizona home. The private commission, titled Bar Scene, is a culmination of Dailey’s popular Individuals series.

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The ten-foot-long glass and stainless steel sculpture illuminates itself and the bar, activating a two-story space in the stylish home cantina. Nine reveling figures are depicted, resembling personalities from Dailey’s Individuals series (2004-ongoing)— 129 colorful, life-sized portraits of the human spirit in all walks-of-life. Bar Scene is the only piece to date that depicts multiple Dan Dailey "Individuals” together as a group.

Dailey says his client’s interest in the Individuals series led to the idea for a ‘bar scene’ with multiple characters interacting. “The uplighting accentuates their gestures and facial expressions, while the steel cloud supporting the sculpture allows for downlighting to the bar surface,” he said. “The entire piece becomes, in effect, a kind of chandelier.”

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“My narrative and illustrative approach to the piece sets a mood in this space that I feel determines some of the character in this part of the house,” Dailey added. “As contemporary and dramatic as the architecture is, some basic human sensibilities are expressed in the sculpture.” 

The project took three years to complete, and was delayed for eight months due to the pandemic. This work is the most recent of more than 70 architectural commissions Dailey has completed since 1971.

"Five Wild Dogs" of the Circus Vase Series is Acquired by the National Museum of Sweden

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — In the spring of 2023, National Museum of Fine Arts will present an exhibition showing American Crafts from the 1950s up until today. Everything from small pieces of jewelry to chairs and impressive wall pieces and textiles will be on view. Among these works is “Five Wild Dogs”, a 1998 blown glass vase by Dan Dailey from his Circus Vase series. The collection of objects has been assembled by gallerist and curator Helen Drutt. The selection of 83 works will enrich Nationalmuseum’s collections and will provide a possibility to look at American Crafts in the Nordic context.

This collection also includes objects by prominent American designers such as Jill Bonovitz, Nancy Carman, Anne Currier, Michael Hurwitz and Jere Osgood, i.e. American artists, or artists who emigrated and formed their practice in America. The objects have been gifted to The American Friends of the Nationalmuseum of Sweden Foundation, whose mission is to foster and support understanding and appreciation of art and design, and to support Nationalmuseum.

Nationalmuseum is Sweden's museum of art and design. Nationalmuseum is also a government authority with a mandate to preserve cultural heritage and promote art, interest in art and knowledge of art. The collections comprise of painting, sculpture, drawings and prints from 1500-1900 and applied arts, design and portraits from early Middle Ages up until present day.