Preston Dorsett

Meet Dr. Preston Dorsett, a Dixon member since 1998 and now a member of the Life Member Society, the Curator's Circle, and the Legacy Society. A Memphian since 1972, Preston shares his thoughts about his Dixon experiences and the decision he and his late wife Karen made to provide a planned gift to the Dixon.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, and received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wake Forest. My specialty was virology. I love to fish, and for many years I was a golfer. I do love that game!

What first interested you in the Dixon?

Karen visited the Dixon one day and upon returning home, she told me that I would visit with her very soon. She was characteristically determined about that. The more we came, the more we liked it.

In your experiences with the Dixon, have there been any surprises, negative or positive?

The paper dresses were a profound experience that was totally unexpected for me. I was not excited about seeing that show, but I was totally impressed with its creativity and uniqueness. How could the artist do what she did with only paper? It was remarkable. But the event that brought us closer to the Dixon community was the Dinner with Chagall held several years ago in the galleries. We made lifelong friends that night with tablemates Susan and Bob Baker and found a kinship with others. That evening solidified our commitment to the Dixon.

If you were the Director of the Dixon for one day, what changes would you make?

I would give the job back to Kevin! He has brought tremendous vitality to the Dixon.

In your travels, do you visit other museums? Have you had experiences with those museums from which the Dixon could benefit?

Karen and I enjoyed visiting museums during our travels, especially enjoying the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Many had larger facilities and collections, but we both always felt comfortable at the Dixon. I love the permanent collection and the gardens. the Dixon makes me feel welcome.

You have made a generous provision for the Dixon in your estate plan. Please explain in your own words what inspired you to make that gift.

We wanted to continue to support the Dixon even after our passing. We directed that at least a portion of our gift be used to add to the collection. We also wanted the Dixon to be able to sustain and provide for its staff. They are a special group of people.

How would you encourage other donors to make planned gifts to the Dixon?

An estate gift is a good way to continue to support the museum and gardens that we have enjoyed so much. I believe that it is not the amount of the gift that is most important. It is the fact that you made a conscious decision to make that gift. You establish your own legacy by sharing your assets.

As you reflect on the future of the Dixon, what are your hopes?

The new Education Building demonstrated that there are spaces on the grounds that can be developed to benefit the community. I hope to see more capital projects like that one. I would also love to see the Dixon grow its membership, its collections, and its gardens.

What are your hopes for the future of Memphis?

I hope the city will continue to make progress in strengthening diverse relationships. I enjoy the revitalization of downtown and the progress seen in that area. I do wish that there was more appreciation of the Mississippi River through the museum dedicated to its history. Too few people take time to learn from that.

Your planned gift establishes part of your legacy. Based on your personal philanthropy, do you have a message to share with our members and supporters?

For Karen and me, it was important for us to continue to contribute to the growth of the Dixon and to do something productive after we are gone. There are so many worthwhile organizations that need support, but for us it was an easy choice. We chose the Dixon. It was intertwined in Karen's life and the Dixon continues to be very much a part of mine.

Thank you, Preston, for your candid reflections on your experiences at the Dixon. For more information about how you can help to sustain the future Dixon with an estate gift and become a member of the Legacy Society, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at (901) 312-1243 or sjohnson@dixon.org.