Mitchell Kaneff at TMA's Annette Nancarrow Gallery

Annette Nancarrow Exhibit

The artistic talent exhibited in Arkay’s luxury packaging is actually indebted in great part to the Kaneff family legacy – namely that of CEO Mitchell Kaneff’s maternal grandmother, Annette Nancarrow.

In this video Mitchell discusses his grandmother’s contributions to the art world, beginning with the years she spent living in Mexico in the turbulent 1930’s through the 1960’s where she met, worked with, and was painted by some of the most famous Mexican artists at that time, including José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Frida Kahlo.

Mitchell narrates his grandmother’s background, unique contribution to the art world, and her personal relationships which informed her outlook on life. Additionally – as a board member and devoted fan of Roanoke’s Taubman Museum – Mitchell donated many works of art that his illustrious grandmother had created, including her sculptures.

Coupled with his sister, Viviane Kaneff, they dedicated the area of the Taubman Museum with this permanent collection to their father, Howard Kaneff, who was the second generation Chairman/CEO of Arkay and who passed away in 2022. Overall this is also a celebration of the Taubman Museum itself, as it commemorates it’s 75th anniversary.