Museum Busy Planning Elegant Salute XVI

Our team of committed volunteers is hard at work planning Elegant Salute XVI: An Imperial Evening, which will take place January 26, 2019. Held every other year, Elegant Salute is the museum’s single most important fundraiser, supplying crucial funds for educational programming and exhibitions that let us fulfill our mission to bring art to the people of our state.

This year’s gala takes the exhibition “The Reluctant Autocrat: Tsar Nicholas II” as its inspiration and is chaired by Sarah Kraft Peterson and Isobel “Ibby” Parker Mills. Parker Curator of Russian Art Asen Kirin is organizing the exhibition, which focuses on the last two Romanov rulers: Nicholas II and his father, Alexander III. Only the second dynasty to rule Russia, the House of Romanov maintained power for some 300 years, until the Russian Revolution, in 1917.

“The Reluctant Autocrat” will include many works from the Parker Collection at the museum (rare books, vintage photographs, elaborate silver objects, medals, portraits, militaria, porcelain and costumes) as well as supplementary objects from Bob Jones University Museum of Art and Gallery and from the promised gift of Marina Belosselsky-Belozersky Kasarda. Highly ornamented and rich with meaning, these works of fine and decorative art are already supplying the décor and flowers committee, headed up by past Elegant Salute chair Maggie Hancock, with plenty of ideas.

Ham Magill, Gordhan Patel and David Matheny are in charge of fundraising this time around, with a goal of $200,000 in sponsorships. We know you can help them get there. Devereux Burch is in charge of the social committee, Airee Edwards is chair of the after-party publicity committee, Bree Hayes is having fun planning the menu with her compatriots, Mike Landers is running the entertainment committee, Evelyn Dukes is once again ably handling logistics, and Maggie Hancock and Ligia Alexander are once again imagining exquisite decor and flowers.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 6, in a heated tent in the Jane and Harry Willson Sculpture Garden, followed by dinner in the M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall. Attendees will partake of a Russian-inspired meal, then return to the tent for the after-party: From Russia with Love. Guests can dance the evening away in a James Bond–themed environment while they enjoy dessert.

Tickets are $300 for members, $350 for nonmembers. Tickets to the after-party only are $50 for members, $65 for nonmembers and include entry to the after-party. Please call 706.542.0830 or visit bit.ly/elegant-salute-2019 for more information, to sponsor or to purchase tickets.

The Collectors Road Show: Art, Heirlooms and Treasures

Imagine striking it rich and leaving behind your mundane life to live every day carefree. Whether it be buried treasure, winning the lottery or finding a suitcase full of millions of dollars, everyone is familiar with the rags-to-riches story, including the ones featured on PBS’ popular Antiques Roadshow program. If you’ve ever wondered whether the contents of your attic could have you living a life of leisure, you’ll have a chance to find out this May at the Georgia Museum of Art.

On May 11 and 12, the museum will host “The Collectors Road Show: Art, Heirlooms and Treasures,” with numerous appraisal opportunities for both members and non-members.

On May 11, expert appraisers from Bonhams will do formal, in-home valuations for upper-level event sponsors. The museum will then host a Patrons Party that evening, featuring more chances for in-depth appraisals and a silent auction. Patrons Party tickets may be purchased separately from event sponsorship, $100 for non-members and $85 for members.

On May 12, both museum members and the general public can bring items to the museum for informal, verbal appraisal by the Bonhams’ experts. Appointments are $15 for members and $20 for non-members per item. Each additional item will cost $10, with a limit of three items per person. Advance reservations are strongly recommended but not required. Visit bit.ly/collectors-road-show for additional sponsor information, benefits or to register online. The prestigious Bonhams auction house was established in 1793 and is world renowned for its international auction houses, sales and specialists. Bonhams is headquartered in London but has salesrooms in New York and Los Angeles. It specializes in buying and selling in every major area of art, antiques, jewelry and cars.

The event serves as the Collectors’ biennial fundraiser to benefit the museum’s permanent collection. Membership in the Collectors is open to contributing level members (and above). The group raises funds for acquisitions, organizes lectures, visits homes of art enthusiasts and hosts excursions to other cities. Every Collectors event is an opportunity to learn and appreciate art, and the group’s membership has continued to grow.

The Collectors have acquired various works of art that are beloved objects of the permanent collection. Most recently, the Collectors obtained the sculpture bust “Minnehaha” by famed African-American and Chippewa artist Edmonia Lewis, who is considered to be one of the most influential female artists of the 19th century. Other notable works of art that have been acquired by the Collectors include a lithograph after artist Édouard Manet, an engraving from the 1620s and an oil painting of the famed Blue Ridge Mountains by American landscape painter William Sonntag.

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Stephanie Motter

Intern, Department of Communications

Elegant Salute XV: "A Night of Tropical Splendor"

When they begin the Beguine
It brings back a sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory evergreen
— Cole Porter, “Begin the Beguine”

From Elegant Salute XIV of 2015: "An Elegant Salute to Georgia."

The 15th edition of Elegant Salute will soon be upon us, on Saturday, January 28, 2017. Elegant Salute is our black-tie gala held every other year and is the museum’s most important fundraiser. Funds from this event go directly to educational programming and exhibitions. This year’s chair is Maggie Hancock, who crafted the beautiful and inspiring décor for the last Elegant Salute and has made herself an indispensible member of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art. Hancock will work with her co-chair, Sarah Peterson, and her network of committee chairs to create an unforgettable evening, inspired by Cole Porter’s song “Begin the Beguine.”

Written in 1935 while Porter was on a cruise in the South Pacific, the song evokes the elegance of the time period. As Hancock puts it, “Porter transports one to a place where the Beguine (a Latin dance) is happening, and the tropical setting heightens the sensorial moment. Expect to be transported into an evening of lush paradise filled with elements from shore to sea.” Flower arrangements are always a highlight of the event, and this year’s theme provides an abundance of inspiration for flower committee chair Beverly Sligh.

Dancing at Elegant Salute XIV, 2015

The evening will begin with a reception in the Jane and Harry Willson Sculpture Garden. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be followed by dinner catered by Epting Events in the M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall. Following dinner, guests will return to the sculpture garden for dessert and dancing at the Copacabana-themed after-party.

The museum relies on private donations to fund programming and exhibitions, making this event vital to our success in the coming year. The Friends hope to raise $180,000 in support, and we have no doubt that David Matheny, fundraising chair, can achieve that goal. There’s no one better at nicely twisting arms. 

The rest of the committee chairs bring talent, experience, energy and creativity to their jobs, and we look forward to seeing what they come up with. Ligia Alexander is spearheading décor, Devereux Burch and Amburn Power are in charge of social, Evelyn Dukes is handling logistics, Airee Hong Edwards will manage publicity for the after-party, Mike Landers is planning the entertainment, and Mike Montesani will work with Epting Events on the evening’s menu.

Advance reservations are required by January 13. $300 per person for members and $350 per person for nonmembers. Tickets for the after-party only are $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers and allow entry for the dessert and dancing in the sculpture garden at 9:30 p.m. Tropical attire encouraged. Call 706.542.0830 or visit http://bit.ly/gmoa-es2017 for more information, to sponsor or to purchase tickets.

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!

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.