Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Mourns the Loss of Founder, John L. Marion
Mr. Marion founded the Museum with his late wife, Anne Marion, in 1997.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 18, 2026 (Santa Fe, NM) — The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum has lost a founder, friend, and champion of the arts with the passing of John L. Marion. Mr. Marion and his wife, Anne, founded the Museum in 1997, where John served as a member of the Board of Trustees for many years until being named an Emeritus Trustee in 2021. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, former auctioneer, president and chairman of Sotheby’s, author, and generous philanthropist, Mr. Marion’s impact spans the country—from Santa Fe, where he was instrumental in negotiations with the local government to open the Museum, to Fordham University, where he was an alumnus and the namesake for The John L. Marion Chair in Art History, Painting, and Sculpture.
“Everyone at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is saddened by the loss of John, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” says Cody Hartley, Director of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. “We could not have asked for better founders than John and Anne Marion.”
With John and Anne Marion’s support, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum was formed and continues to thrive, inspiring global audiences with the art, life, and spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe. The New O’Keeffe will be the cornerstone of the Burnett Campus, named according to John and Anne’s wishes for Anne’s family. The Museum is grateful for John Marion’s generosity and vision.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Renee Lucero, Public Relations Manager, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
505-946-1063
rlucero@gokm.org
ABOUT THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM: Since 1997, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum has shared the art, life, and story of Georgia O’Keeffe with visitors from around the world. Located in New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived the final decades of her life, the O’Keeffe has sites and experiences in two historic destinations, Santa Fe and Abiquiú. For more information, please visit gokm.org
