Dr. Robert Gumbiner, a physician and philanthropist, passed away early Tuesday. His Long Beach-based RG Foundation created the Museum of Latin-American Art (MOLAA), the only American museum exclusively exhibiting Latin American fine art, in 1996.
A release from MOLAA further explains the museum’s mission, and Dr. Gumbiner’s passion:
MOLAA’s mission mirrors Dr. Gumbiner’s vision: to educate the American public about contemporary Latin American fine art through the establishment of a significant permanent collection and the presentation of dynamic exhibitions and related programs. MOLAA exhibits art from 20 Latin American countries by artists who are well known in their own countries but little known in the United States.
Dr. Gumbiner was the driving force behind the creation, the completion and the successful management of MOLAA, which would not exist without his vision, dedication, tenacity and generous financial support. Over the past twelve years he worked tirelessly with architects, designers and museum consultants to create what has become the most visible and representative museum of contemporary Latin American fine art in the United States.
Dr. Gumbiner also made great contributiouns to The Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach, and was working to open a new museum of Pacific Island and Micronesian Art in Long Beach. The new museum is expected to open later this year.
Initially making his career as a physician, Dr. Gumbiner founded one of the first HMO’s and operated it for 35 years until leaving in 1996.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor