(New York, New York, December 15, 2021) – The Board of Trustees of the American Folk Art Museum (AFAM) is pleased to announce the election of two new members: Ben Cohen and David De Luca. The election took place at the December 14 meeting of the Board and was announced by Elizabeth V. Warren, the Museum’s Board President. Both will serve as elective trustees.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Ben and David to the Board,” said President Warren. “They are highly accomplished in their respective professions and passionate about the Museum’s mission. I look forward to working with them.”
American Folk Art Museum Director and CEO Jason T. Busch commented, “Our new Trustees are enthusiastic supporters of the Museum. As they arrive, we are celebrating our 60th anniversary and making plans for the future, thus we are fortunate to have them on board to help with the many exciting projects and initiatives ahead of us.”
Ben Z. Cohen
Ben Zane Cohen, MD is an ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal surgery. He graduated from the University of Chicago ophthalmology residency and a retinal surgical fellowship from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard Medical School. He began practice in Manhattan in 1983 and obtained approvals for and built the Retinal Ambulatory Surgery Center in 2006 where he exclusively operates.
Dr. Cohen is an active member of many professional organizations and has published articles in ophthalmology journals and has mentored many young retinal surgeons. As a long-time member of the Folk Art Circle, Dr Cohen and his wife Dr . Barbara Lukash Cohen are collectors of Americana and Folk Art.
David De Luca
David De Luca is Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Equities at Raymond James. He has over two decades of experience as a managing director in senior roles in the equities divisions of Wall Street firms, including Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers (Barclays Capital). Mr. De Luca also served as an aide to United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He earned his BA from Brown University, an MSc from the London School of Economics and a JD from Columbia University Law School.
Mr. De Luca has served as Vice Chairman of the Board at the Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library and on the Board of the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy. He and his wife Dixie collect American Folk Art and are members of the Folk Art Circle.
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About the American Folk Art Museum
The American Folk Art Museum engages people of all backgrounds through its collections, exhibitions, publications, and programs as the leading forum shaping the understanding and appreciation of folk and self-taught art across time and place. The Museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021 and 2022.