Ventana Medical Systems
April 23 – July 14, 2015

The opening reception of Henry Koffler's art show at Ventana Medical Systems was held on Thursday, April 23, 2015, from 5-7.

This SAACA-sponsored event features 56 beautiful NEW abstract art pieces, all professionally framed, at the beautiful Ventana Medical campus, with lovely hors-d'oeuvres, beverages, and live music--very special!

Lots of friends, colleagues, artists, and more came from all over Tucson and Arizona, and the crisp spring evening was the perfect setting for an evening of art, music, conversation, and contribution.

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The open, light-filled lobby was beautifully appointed with Henry's abstract paintings, and the gentle sounds of a harp filled the air. 

The show's centerpiece was hung on the wall directly opposite the front door, presented later by Henry to Tom Grogan, with the inscription "Presented to Professor Tom Grogan in gratitude for his contributions to mankind".

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view paintings

Ventana campus

Bobbie Jo Buel and David Carter

Henry and Marie Wesselhoft

Frank Fitzgerald

Phyllis and Henry Koffler

The Presentation

Dr. Tom Grogan on Henry's contributions to Ventana

Dr. Tom Grogan, founder--Chief Scientific Officer of Ventana and Director since its inception in 1985, and Professor Emeritus of Pathology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona--spoke of Henry's leadership and creativity.

Here’s a simple fact. The buildings that you see here would not exist except that Henry was a major factor in allowing it to happen... 'We've got these no-can-do guys. We have to go to somebody who can do something, somebody who can change things.'

Next thing I know I'm sitting in front of President Koffler. He hears my story. And I will never forget it. He looks across his desk and says, 'You're the guy I've been looking for.'

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We made a decision a long time ago that the culture of our company is very important. The way these buildings are built is based on deep original thought, on creativity, and on innovation. And we see that in artists because it’s visual and in front of us. But an engineer, a scientist, or a technician has to have the same thing as an artist, as a leader, and as a scientist. So Henry, you continue to be an inspiration to us, and we thank you for that.

Honestly, if I thought when I was 92 years old that I could do what you have done, that I could find this intuitive, creative capability within me, it would buoy me for the rest of my life. I think it’s truly remarkable.

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Henry:

We call people like Tom Grogan visionaries.
They see things that others don't see at a time when nobody else has thought of it before.

A good teacher of art will say, "My job is to make you see better." The real truth is being an original person – artist or scientist – has everything to do with seeing.

Good scientists see relationships of  facts that explain phenomena in nature or which seem unrelated to an explanation. Good artists see relationships in art, colors, sizes, shapes. And in terms of science, seeing facts that seem unrelated to an explanation

And if they are very good they will see things that nobody else has seen before.

Henry speaking at the Ventana reception

I’ve been an ardent attender of galleries and museums practically all my adult life.

And from a neuroscience point of view, I’m really amazed that all the influences that were made upon me in this manner accumulated in some way, and somehow they’re coming out again.

I can’t understand how, but it is a marvelous phenomenon that I hope neuroscientists will explore.

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Leadership.
Creativity.
Making something that didn’t exist before.
That is the leader inside and that is the artist inside.
So thank you, Henry.
(Tom Grogan)

Thank You!

Thank you to SAACA, which sponsored the event, and to Pat Deely, Programs & Volunteer Manager, Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA), and Darlene Buhrow, Ventana's Corporate Communications Manager. Also a special thank you to Dr. Tom Grogan, founder of Ventana Medical Systems.