Salmagundi Palettes | Patron Member Spotlight | 2024 | November | James (Skip) Mufalli
Spotlights created by Vanessa Rothe, art magazine editor and SCNY Vice Chair of Salmagundi Public Relations Committee
Q&A with Artist Skip Mufalli
How did you first hear about and come to be a part of, the Salmagundi Club?
Please tell us the story about how you met an important artist in New York and then came to the club with him.
Around 1980, a dentist friend of mine had an art show at Sardi’s, the famous restaurant. He asked me to come over to the show and with $300 in my pocket I went. A famed artist Lumen Martin Winter’s work was one of the main features of the show called “Doves” and I purchased it for $300 that night and walked home with it.
I was first taken to the Salmagundi Club around that same time in 1980 by my now good friend the artist Lumen Martin Winter, whom I had met recently at that show in New York. We had just finished hanging one of his shows at The Union League Club on 37th Street & Park Avenue, and he took me to dinner at The Salmagundi Club. That was April 6th, 1980 purely by accident, it was Easter Sunday. I absolutely loved it. I joined Salmagundi officially a few years later, after going there often with Lumens, and am a proud member to this day.
What instigated you to support the artists, and the club itself?
Lumen had asked me if I ever wanted to do something to honor him, was to become a member of The Salmagundi Club and help the club and the artists. In the two years, less one day, that I knew him, we had eaten at the club many times and worked on projects that were totally his. Which included the final art he made, which were the signed lithographs and The Great White Buffalo Marble Sculpture that was installed at The Kansas Historical Society after his passing on April 5th 1982. I became a member in 1983. Lumen had asked me, please support the club and I have done so ever since, by purchasing artwork and having dinner with friends and family. It is one of the best feelings I get, doing this and being at the club.
Some collectors buy work in the same subject, such as, all seascapes.
Does your collection have a general subject theme or multiple themes?
Do you buy with multiple genres? Watercolor or oils?
I simply buy what I like. Sometimes it is the artist I like, sometimes it’s the landscape, seascape, portraits, still life, sketches and sculptures. These works comprise of a smorgasbord of mediums including oil, watercolor, soft pastel, mix mediums, acrylics, bronze, stone, marble, glass & photography… all of which I enjoy. I have dozens of works stacked together on the walls, like a jigsaw puzzle. They are hung together in groups, or sometimes a large work over the fireplace. There are works from all genres side by side, each one special. I enjoy being surrounded by fine art and the culture that surrounds it.
Please tell us about one or two of your favorite painting in your collection, and why?
The Lumen Martin Winter watercolor titled “Conflict”. An American Mustang horse taking on two wild stallions. Very alluring subject, with lots of movement! Also the Lumen Martin Winter titled “Titans”. It is the model study used to later create the mural in the United Nations building, 3rd floor general assembly in NYC. The way its painted is incredible, with small dots and marks all over it creating a pattern. It could never be copied and it makes it truly original! The color harmony in the work is also very beautiful.
Can you tell us a little bit about how fine art has helped bring culture to your life and brought joy to your home, your family and friends?
I love giving paintings as gifts. There is nothing like walking into someone’s house with one, two or three, or more paintings hanging in their house. I grew up in the New York area, surrounded by culture and art is a great way to bring culture and discussion into your home and family. I love to see the works hung salon style on the walls and they often spark topics for conversations. There are hundreds of works surrounding my walls in every room. I give artwork to my family as gifts every year and some of them have many on their walls, enriching their homes, which makes me proud and content.
You have brought many friends to the club to help them discover it over the years. Can you share something about that, the experiences with you there, and how they are now also patrons of the club?
Yes, over the years I ‘ve brought hundreds of people to The Salmagundi Club. Clients, family and friends from Europe, Canada as well as The United States. One of my artist friend Lumen’s favorite saying was “you can never have a bad meal at the club” and with family, friends, and guests, I have been told that we’ve had somewhere approximately around 1,200 meals. I have encouraged many people to join the club, some have moved on and some have passed; Mr. Wilkins comes to mind. He attended many an auction as my guest until he became a member. His collection consisted of over 250 pieces of artwork. Sadly, he passed away before his first social security check. Then there is Mr. Jack Costa. He attended the Presidents Dinner and awards ceremony when a member was getting a lifetime achievement medallion for Mr. Ranulph Bye who was receiving this award in May of 1999. Mr. Costa became a member in 2015 and has in the neighborhood of 350 pieces. We just attended the auction together again this year and purchased some works and hopefully we will be attending the next spring auction.
What does your role a patron member of the historical Salmagundi club mean to you? What would you say to other patrons hoping to join the club to encourage them?
At the club, I get a unique feeling that comes over me. Lumen asked me to support the club. I do so by participating in the spring and fall auctions every year, the Annual Black and White show, the Thumb-box show and many others. I enjoy being there among friends, peers, and absolutely love eating my meal at the club! To others, I would say: come see the art, come feel of culture, come taste the food!