Athens, Ga. – The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia will host its most important fundraiser, Elegant Salute, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Elegant Salute XIV, “An Elegant Salute to Georgia,” is the museum’s biennial gala featuring a reception, dinner, dessert and dancing.
Hosted by the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art, the museum’s membership program, this year’s gala aims to highlight the museum’s distinction as the official state museum of art and to celebrate Georgia’s rich heritage of art, agriculture and natural beauty.
The evening will begin with a reception in the Jane and Harry Willson Sculpture Garden. 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 at 9:30 p.m. for dessert and dancing at the after-party featuring DJs Alfredo and Zdog.
The after-party is themed “Get Your Pucci On” in celebration of the museum’s exhibition, “Emilio Pucci in America” on view through Feb. 1. Guests of the after-party are encouraged to wear Pucci-inspired clothing. Guests can track postings or join the conversation about the after-party using the hashtag #getyourpuccion on Instagram and Twitter.
The museum relies on private donations to fund programming and exhibitions, making this event vital to the museum’s success. The Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art aim to raise $155,000 in support this year. The net proceeds from the fundraiser will support all of the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming.
Tickets for the event are sold in two tiers: full event or after-party. Tickets for the full event cost $300 and can be purchased through Jan. 21. Tickets for the after-party-only are $65, or $50 for members and allow entry for the dessert and dancing in the sculpture garden at 9:30 p.m. The after-party tickets can be purchased through Jan. 28. All tickets can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/gmoa-es2015 or from Michele Turner, director of membership, at maturner@uga.edu or 706-542- 0830.
The event takes 12-18 months of planning by the various committees staffed by volunteers. M. Smith Griffith is the honorary chair, and this year’s event chairs are David Matheny and Michael Montesani. Other committee chairs include Airee Edwards and Everett Long (after-party), Maggie Hancock (décor), Lucy Allen (flowers), Kate Lynch (food), Greg Barnard and Gloria Ricks Taylor (fundraising), Lori Scott (logistics), Cheri Leavy (publicity) and Devereux Burch and Amburn Power (social).
For more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities, call 706-542-0830.
Museum Information
Partial support for the exhibitions and programs at the Georgia Museum of Art is provided by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. The Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts. Individuals, foundations and corporations provide additional museum support through their gifts to the University of Georgia Foundation. The Georgia Museum of Art is located in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex on the East Campus of the University of Georgia. The address is 90 Carlton St., University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-6719. For more information, including hours, see http://www.georgiamuseum.org or call 706-542-4662.