I looked up Mary Steichen Calderone’s father, Edward Jean Steichen. Interesting man. Famous photographer, socialist, and more. Involved in the arts in the US and Europe.
Just my opinion: people involved in “the art scene” try very hard to show that they are not traditional and are too enlightened to have traditional morals. The “art” highly valued $$$ today is kindergarten level garbage.
The CIA was involved in the modern art movement - another deep dive for another day.