Michael E. Shapiro Joins Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael E. Shapiro as Senior Advisor, Museums and Private Collections. Mr. Shapiro recently retired from his role as Director at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia. He will work closely with the firm's six locations, including its Chicago headquarters.
Shapiro joined the High's leadership team in 1995 and was the Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Director of the High Museum of Art from March 2000 through July 2015. At the High, Shapiro oversaw unprecedented growth of the Museum's collection, developed numerous partnerships with national and international art institutions and increased the reach and impact of the Museum's education programming and accessibility for diverse audiences.
"It was a privilege to be at the helm of the High for the past 15 years and to help shape the vision and future of Atlanta's art museum," said Shapiro, "I now look forward to assisting the energetic and entrepreneurial team at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers."
During his tenure at the High Museum of Art, Shapiro oversaw major initiatives such as a collaboration with former Director of the Musée du Louvre, Henri Loyrette, to found Louvre Atlanta, which brought nearly five hundred works of art from the Louvre's collections to the High over a three-year period. He regularly partnered with museums across the globe to organize similar exhibitions and bring masterpieces to the U.S.
In 2005 Shapiro was involved in a three-building campus expansion for the High. Renzo Piano was selected to design an addition to Richard Meier's iconic building, more than doubling its original size. These efforts, among many others, helped solidify the High as the leading museum of the Southeast and better serves its growing audiences from around the world.
"From leading the expansion and transformation of our campus in 2005 to developing groundbreaking collaborations, such as Louvre Atlanta, the High has been transformed from a regional powerhouse into a nationally and internationally recognized institution," said Shapiro.
Prior to his tenure at the High, Shapiro held positions as director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, chief curator at The Saint Louis Art Museum and as assistant professor in the Department of Art at Duke University, Durham, N.C. Shapiro holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University, a Master of Arts degree from Williams College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College. He received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Hamilton College in 2016. He specializes in 19th century and 20th century painting and sculpture.
Last year Shapiro released a book titled "Eleven Museums, Eleven Directors: Conversations on Art and Leadership." The book interviews some of the museum industry¹s most innovative change agents and the mentors and events that led them to success in the field.
"Michael and I have known each other for years. I have an enormous amount of respect for all that he has accomplished in the museum world," said Leslie Hindman, President and CEO of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, "I¹m absolutely delighted that he will be joining our firm."
Shapiro¹s primary responsibilities will be museum outreach and assisting in collection review and the deaccession process, in conjunction with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers¹ business development and specialist teams.
"Leslie has created one of America's leading auction houses, and I look forward to helping Leslie Hindman Auctioneers continue to flourish."
Michael Shapiro can be reached at michaelshapiro@lesliehindman.com.
About Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, one of the world's foremost fine art auction houses, has been providing exceptional service and achieving record prices since 1982. With more salerooms in the United States than any other auction house, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers conducts over 60 auctions annually in categories such as fine jewelry and timepieces, contemporary art, 20th century design, rare books, furniture, decorative arts and more. The firm has seven locations that serve a global client base. The firm is also a founding partner of Bidsquare, a live auction platform formed by six leading auction houses, and owns a proprietary online bidding platform, LHLive, as well as LH Exchange, an e-commerce site specializing in high-end designer furniture and decorative arts. Visit www.lesliehindman.com for more information.
