Former Kennedy Center Chairman Buys Removed Shapiro Sculpture
David Rubenstein has acquired Joel Shapiro's sculpture "Blue" (2019) for $2 million following its removal from the Kennedy Center grounds by the National Park Service on September 2. The sculpture, originally gifted by Shapiro during the REACH project's inauguration in 2019, will be relocated to the National Gallery of Art’s sculpture garden. Rubenstein, who was dismissed as chairman of the Kennedy Center by President Trump in February 2025, had previously committed $50 million to the REACH expansion. Shapiro passed away in 2025, and Trump assumed the role of chairman of the Kennedy Center board.
Key facts
- David Rubenstein purchased Joel Shapiro's 'Blue' (2019) for $2 million.
- The National Park Service deinstalled the sculpture from the Kennedy Center grounds on September 2.
- The sculpture will be moved to the National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden.
- Rubenstein was ousted as Kennedy Center chairman by President Trump in February 2025.
- Rubenstein had pledged $50 million to the REACH expansion project.
- Shapiro gifted 'Blue' as an inaugural landmark when REACH opened in 2019.
- Shapiro died in 2025.
- Trump made himself chairman of the Kennedy Center board.
Entities
Artists
- Joel Shapiro
- David Rubenstein
- Deborah Butterfield
Institutions
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- National Park Service
- Joel Shapiro and Ellen Phelan Foundation
- National Gallery of Art
- Hands Off the Arts
- Smithsonian Institution
- New York Times
- Kennedy Center
- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Locations
- Washington, DC
- United States
- Washington, D.C.