Over the course of their collecting journey, the Mallins developed deep friendships with many leading contemporary artists who they supported and nurtured, acting both as patrons and extended family to Liza Lou, Andy Goldsworthy, and Doug and Mike Starn, among others: “We like to say we collect art, but we really collect artists. We’ve collected a whole group of art family members, who are a part of our family.” (Sherry and Joel Mallin)

In tandem with their collecting, the Mallins took on active board memberships and advisory roles at leading institutions across the United States (including, among others, the Storm King Center, the Brooklyn Museum and the Johnson Museum at Cornell University, their alma mater). Their contributions were such that, after they decided to step back from these roles, their advice was still constantly sought, and so – in response – they opened their kitchen once a week to anyone who wanted to talk, hosting breakfast ‘surgeries’ where they shared their valued insights and advice to leading members of the art world.