Come to 90 Carlton: Autumn for an Evening at the Museum

It's that time of the year again, time for 90 Carlton: Autumn, one of the Georgia Museum of Art's quarterly receptions. Come out on Friday, October 10 for a night at the museum and enjoy viewing the exhibitions on display this fall.

The event is put on by the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art and takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are free for members and $5 for nonmembers.

The galleries that will be featured include “An Archaeologist’s Eye: The Parthenon Drawings of Katherine A. Schwab,” “XL,” “The . . . of E6, part of Athens Celebrates Elephant Six,” “Boxers and Backbeats: Tomata du Plenty and the West Coast Punk Scene,” “The Prints of Mary Wallace Kirk” and “Tristan Perich: Mind the Machine.” More information about these exhibitions can be found by following the links to the Georgia Museum of Art website.

The event offers gallery activities and door prizes, light refreshments catered by Epting Events and an "Ask the Experts" panel at 7 p.m. in which guests can ask guides and museum curators questions about the different works on display around the galleries.

To become a member of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art or to find our more information about the organization, visit georgiamuseum.org/join or call 706.542.4662.

We hope to see you there!

Black History Month Dinner

            The Harlem Renaissance will be coming to the museum this Thursday, Feb. 21, as we honor Harold Rittenberry and the late Rudolph Byrd at this year’s Black History Month Dinner. The theme of the annual event is “Harlem Renaissance: A Sampler.” Vintage décor from Agora, a vintage and antiques store in downtown Athens, will contribute to the feel.

            The evening will start off with a gallery talk led by Paul Manoguerra, the museum’s chief curator and curator of American art, on the exhibition, “William H. Johnson: An American Modern.” Following that will be a seated dinner catered by Epting Events, as well as cocktails and desserts. Entertainment, including a performance by singer Monica Kaufman-Pearson, a retired WSB-TV anchor in Atlanta and a current graduate student in the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, will add to overall theme and feel of the evening.

Harold Rittenberry

            Both men, Rittenberry and Byrd, have greatly contributed to the arts and culture in their communities. Rittenberry will receive the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Award and Byrd the Lillian C. Lynch Citation. Rittenberry, born and raised in Athens and a self-taught artist, has metalwork sculptures throughout the state. Byrd, a long-time professor at Emory University, founded the James Weldon Johnson Institute at Emory in 2007, which studies the modern civil rights movement, and served as director of the department of African American Studies for a decade. Both men’s work and contributions express the efforts of both the Thompsons and Lynch.

            This will be an evening that you will not want to miss. Tickets are $45 per person and reservations are requested. We still have tickets left, so call 706.542.0830 to reserve your spot. 

"Georgia Bellflowers" photos

We had an amazing crowd for the "Georgia Bellflowers" opening reception on Sunday, including one of the most packed gallery talks ever. Many of Gene Thomas's family members were there, and the Athens Historical Society folks were a lot of fun. Lots of cookies were eaten and punch consumed. Photos are above, including several of lenders to the exhibition posing with their furniture. Also, the books are now available in the shop, for a mere $16.

Highfalutin' Hootenanny

Well, Highfalutin' Hootenanny has finally come and gone, and we had a great time this past Friday night, as you can see from the slideshow above. There aren't any pictures in it yet of people getting down on the dance floor, but some serious rugs were cut. Here are the folks who sponsored the event:

Champagne

Ms. Karen Benson & Mr. Howard Scott
Burns Studio Art/Van Burns
Mr. & Mrs. E. Davison Burch
Dr. & Mrs. James W. Cooper Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dolson
Mr. & Mrs. Bertis E. Downs IV
Dr. & Mrs.Mark A. Ellis
Mr. Todd Emily
Fat Mosquito Press
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar J. Forio Jr.
Col. & Mrs.Thomas N.Gibson III
Mr. Richard & Dr. Anne Hathaway
Mr. & Mrs. Stan Henderson
Ms. Clementi L-B Holder & Mr. Robert Saveland
Mrs. Lidwina G. Kelly
Dr. & Mrs. D. Hamilton Magill III
Mr. & Mrs. David W. Matheny
Mr. & Mrs. Mark McConnell
John F. & Marilyn M. McMullan
Mr. & Mrs. H. Daniels Minor
Mr. C.L. Morehead Jr. & Flowers, Inc., Retail
Mr. & Mrs. Edgar B. Myrtle
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis O’Kain
Drs. Gordhan L. & Virginia B. Patel
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander W. Patterson
Dr. & Mrs. William L. Power
Karen Prasse, M.D.
Bill & Pamela Prokasy
Mrs. Doris Ramsey
Mr. & Mrs.Walter A. Sams III
Mr. D. Jack Sawyer Jr. & William E. Torres, M.D.
Mr. & Mrs. John D. Scoggins
Mr. Lewis Scruggs Jr.
Southeastern Color
Hon. & Mrs.Homer M. Stark
Mrs. Dudley R. Stevens
Mr. & Mrs. W. Rhett Tanner
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Winthrop II
Dr. & Mrs. Norman J. Wood
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Woodruff

Moonshine
Mr. John Ahee & Dr. Paige Carmichael
George Gregory Barnard
Mr. & Mrs. Randolph W. Camp
Mr. & Mrs. A. Blair Dorminey
Mr. & Mrs. C. Michael Evert Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Henry Garrard IV
UGA Alumni Association

Beer
Mr. & Mrs.Woody Chastain
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Coleman
Drs. Stephen & Cynthia Deas
Mr. & Mrs. Dan H. Magill
Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Whitworth
Kathy Prescott

String Theory played bluegrass and old-time music in the sculpture garden, and Good Vibrations supplied tunes inside. Harry's Pig Shop and Epting Events did the food and catering, Terrapin donated beer and Lewis Scruggs Jr. was responsible for the wine. King of Pops was on hand, too, supplying gourmet popsicles for dessert. Van Burns designed the invitations and programs. Fat Mosquito Press donated the printing of the save-the-date cards, and Southeastern Color printed the invitations.

Event chairs were Ann Scoggins and Michael Montesani. David Matheny was in charge of fundraising. And Tami Ramsay took charge of flowers, with the help of Lucy Allen, Gay Crowe, Tracey Crymes, Chad Erwin, Carolyn Garrard, Suzanne King, Amburn Power, Bev Sams, Alice Spratlin and Fran Thomas.

Thank you to everyone who donated time or funds!

After Hours at GMOA

In case you've missed it in our newsletter, on our website, in your mailbox, on Facebook and elsewhere, GMOA and the Lamar Dodd School of Art are hosting a free reception tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 19), from 5 to 8 p.m. at GMOA and 7 to 9 p.m. at LDSOA, to celebrate "Lamar Dodd: Paintings and Drawings" and "MMXI: Faculty Exhibition 2011." Come have a glass of wine and some snacks with us, then head upstairs to see our wonderful exhibitions and permanent collection before you cross the bridge to the art school to find out what its faculty has been up to lately. We hope we'll see you tomorrow. Remember, parking in lot E11 and surrounding surface lots is free from about 4 p.m., and if you have a UGA parking pass, you can park in the PAC deck for no cost after 5:30 p.m. Click on the invitation above to make it larger.

Celebrating Our Collectors

Friday night's event, Celebrating Our Collectors: A 10th Anniversary Bash, was a great time for all involved. The Collectors is a sub-group of the Friends that requires an additional membership fee in exchange for unique educational opportunities that focus on collecting and learning more about art. It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the group was founded, and they have given many wonderful works of art to the museum's collection through the funds they raise during that time.

This year's fundraiser celebrated the group's 10th anniversary, beginning with a champagne toast at the Lyndon House Arts Center in honor of Peg Wood, who has a retrospective of her paintings on display there. Attendees then made their way to GMOA for dinner, dancing, cocktails and a silent auction of works of art, designer handbags, jewelry and more. Betty Myrtle, Judith Ellis and Carol Dolson chaired the event, and Magdalena Williams of European Floral Design did the amazing floral arrangements, some of which were taller than our shorter staff members.

Click through the photos below to see everyone in his or her finest and thank you to everyone who made it out for a beautiful evening. For more information on becoming a member of the Friends or the Collectors, click here.

Recent events

Our Black History Month events were a big hit, with a wonderful array of guests turning up to honor Michael Thurmond at Traditions, the closing event/dinner for "Celebrating Courage" (UGA's celebration of the 50th anniversary of its desegregation), and earlier that day to hear David Driskell, renowned African American artist and art scholar, speak on how art crosses cultural boundaries. Here are some photos from Traditions and from the dinner with Driskell the previous evening.

Be sure to go ahead and mark your calendar for two big upcoming events at GMOA: a panel discussion with 11 of the artists featured in our exhibition "Tradition Redefined" on Thursday, March 24, and an artist's talk by Steinnun Thorarinsdottir, the artist who created "Horizons," on Tuesday, March 29.

Reopening Reviewed

Art Expands, GMOA's weeklong reopening celebration, was a great success! The Georgia Museum of Art wishes to thank those who made Art Expands possible: the UGA Office of the Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Grant Design Collaborative, the Adsmith, Hotel Indigo Athens, the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art and all staff members and volunteers.

Updates and Photos from Art Expands

Friday, January 28

Donor Ribbon-Cuttings

Donors who supported GMOA's Phase II expansion inaugurated the named spaces within the museum.

Click here for more photos from this event.

Saturday, January 29

Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis and Official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Our family of supporters dined and danced the night away at a sold-out gala event to celebrate the museum’s transformation. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony with UGA president Michael Adams and GMOA director William Underwood Eiland took place during the event.

Photos by Zoomworks. Click here for more photos from this event.

Sunday, January 30
Friends Preview
Friends of GMOA enjoyed exclusive access at this private reception, during which docents and curators gave tours of the galleries.

Monday, January 31

UGA Faculty Lunch and Learn
This special session taught UGA faculty members how to use the museum’s collection as an educational tool in classes.

Physical Plant Staff Appreciation Reception
This reception honored the dedicated individuals who work hard to keep the university running and beautiful.

Tuesday, February 1
Gallery Talk with Anthony Goicolea
Photographer and UGA graduate Anthony Goicolea discussed “snowscape,” his new installation for GMOA.

Wednesday, February 2
Special Reopening Lecture with Beverly Pepper
This lecture by world-renowned sculptor Beverly Pepper in honor of GMOA’s reopening officially recognized her sculpture “Ascencion” as a new addition to the permanent collection. The sculpture is installed in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex quad.

Thursday, February 3
Reopening Remixed: Student Night at GMOA
More than 2,000 UGA students attended GMOA’s college night, hosted by the GMOA Student Association. The event included music by Sleeping Friends, Reptar and Venice is Sinking; DIY craft projects; a photo booth and tours of the galleries by curators and student docents.

Click here for more photos from this event.

Friday, February 4
Young at Art Presented Modern Skirts
The Young At Art committee of the Friends of GMOA presented Modern Skirts live in concert. Attendees enjoyed this intimate acoustic concert that set the bar high for future Young at Art events.

Saturday, February 5
Family Day: Reopening Celebration
This super-sized Family Day extravaganza included gallery tours and activities, art projects and an interactive program from Picasso People. More than 600 visitors attended this Family Day, a record in the museum's history.

Click here to see all photos from Art Expands!

GMOA Reopens with Art Expands

The GMOA staff has been busy preparing for our grand reopening and celebratory week of events, Art Expands.

We’re kicking it off with Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis on Saturday, January 29 at 7 p.m. The spectacular gala will include the official ribbon-cutting ceremony with UGA president Michael Adams, GMOA director William Underwood Eiland and all of the museum’s supporters, followed by dinner and dancing in celebration of our transformation. Please call 706.542.0437 for reservations.

Sunday, January 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. will be the Friends Preview, a private reception for the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art before the public reopening. Tours of the galleries will be offered by docents and curators, and the Georgia Children's Chorus will perform at 2 and 3 p.m. Become a Friend before the reopening and receive 20% off up to and including the family level. You can join at the door at the regular rate. For more information or to RSVP call 706.542.0437. Join now!

Monday, January 31 is the reopening to the public, featuring three events:

UGA faculty and staff will receive shop and membership discounts with a UGA ID Card- from 10-5 p.m.

UGA Faculty Lunch and Learn at noon: You can bring a brown-bag lunch or reserve a box lunch and learn how to use the museum’s collection as an education tool in your classes. Email gmoae@uga.edu to reserve your lunch.

UGA Physical Plant Staff Appreciation Reception at 3 p.m.: All UGA support staff are invited to join us for a special reception in their honor as we formally recognize those who work hard to keep our university beautiful and running smoothly every day.

Tuesday, February 1, we are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come check out the additional galleries, the sculpture garden, or our other new features!

Wednesday, February 2, is the GMOA Special Reopening Lecture with artist Beverly Pepper at 6 p.m. in Ramsey Hall, Performing Arts Center, on the UGA campus. Distinguished guest and world-renowned sculptor Beverly Pepper will lecture in honor of the museum’s grand reopening. The museum will officially recognize her sculpture “Ascensione” (installed in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex quad) as a new addition to its permanent collection. For more information on the reopening exhibitions, click here.

On Thursday, February 3, GMOA welcomes UGA students with shop and membership discounts with a UGA ID Card from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Docents and curators will also be available in the galleries for tours.

Also on Thursday, the GMOA Student Association takes over for a night with Reopening Remixed: Student Night at GMOA. Students are invited to GMOA’s college night, a GMOA Student Association–sponsored event. The event will feature music, refreshments, door prizes and tours of the galleries. It’s free and open to all students! For more information on tours, the bands and performance times, and the other activities, click here or call 706.542.0437.

Young at Art Presents Modern Skirts on Friday, February 4, at 6 p.m. Formed in early 2004, the band quickly gained popularity in the Athens music scene thanks largely to the buzz created by their high-energy live shows in the Athens area, mostly at the world-famous 40 Watt Club. Friends members $15, non-members $20, or join at the Young at Art membership level in advance or at the door and enter the concert FREE. Young at Art membership is $20 in addition to the regular individual or family membership price. Join during the charter period and receive a 20% discount. To join, click here. The performance will be held in the M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall.

Our first Family Day in the new building will be Saturday, February 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Family Day: Reopening Celebration will include visits to the galleries for docent-led tours and activities and crafts based on works from the museum’s collection on the first floor. Picasso People, an interactive program for children that includes music, mime and puppetry, will be featured in the M. Smith Griffith Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Collectors Holiday Party

Last week, in the middle of our crazy move, was also the Collectors Holiday Party, which was held in Margie Spalding's beautiful home. Everyone had a wonderful time, and Tim Brown, membership director, took these photos to document the occasion. For more information about becoming a member of the Collectors, click here.

Stuck for an idea for a holiday gift? How about a Friends membership? Or an upgrade of someone else's membership to Collectors status? Friends memberships up to the family level are 20 percent off until we reopen January 29, and, unlike all that other stuff you're buying for your loved ones, won't take up any space. For information on purchasing a Friends membership, click here.

The Art of: Wine

Join the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art on Sunday, November 14, 2010, for a day trip to Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger, Ga., where we will enjoy lunch, a wine tasting and tours of the vineyard.

The group will depart at 10:30 a.m. from the parking lot of the UGA Softball and Soccer Stadium, located at 2330 S. Milledge Avenue, where we will leave our cars for the day. We will return to Athens at approximately 4 p.m.

$65 per person/ $120 per couple, Friends of the Museum
$75 per person/ $140 per couple, non-members
$55 per person/ $120 per couple, new members who join through this event

Price includes transportation, lunch, wine tasting and vineyard tour.

To make a reservation, please call 706.542.0437.

Special thanks to event hosts and sponsors Tiger Mountain Vineyards as well as event chairs Chris Peterson and Michele Turner.

Hudson River Valley Trip

Our patrons are back from their wonderful trip to the Hudson River Valley, where they enjoyed enviable weather, attended the races at Saratoga and toured numerous museums and collections. Friends membership coordinator Tim Brown took tons of photos, and the slideshow appears above. Ooh, aah and make a note to yourself that you want to go on the next trip like this!

Friends of the Museum Annual Meeting

We're mailing out postcard invitations to this upcoming event, too, but if you're not on our mailing list please know that the annual meeting of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art is free and open to the public and scheduled for May 14 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be preceded by hard-hat tours of the new building, which require a reservation (call 706.542.GMOA [4662]) and that you dress appropriately, in pants and closed-toed sturdy shoes. Click on the image above to see it full size and look for the same in your physical and e-mailbox.

The Art of: Preservation

Wow! This event was just about perfect, with a beautiful day cooperating with our desire to be outside in the sunshine but not melting in the heat. A breeze even showed up to make things yet more pleasant. If you'd like to see a slideshow of some of the fun, check out the photos below, a set we'll be adding more to as the day goes on and we round them up from our various cameras.