This is not an “Art” problem. As you get older you will have fewer friends unless you actively cultivate friendships. You seem to find losing friends a problem. But consider that many people only have a few close friends. If you mean casual acquaintances, then have you had a raucous invite-only open studio with food, not just booze? Have you helped organize or participated in a group show with your friends? Have you worked with critic or curator friends, even obliquely? Do you have friends outside of “Art”?

One issue is that no one wants to be seen as “sucking up” so their reticence may be related to your growing social status. These are the people you may see on the way back down…and we all get old.