May 29, 2007 Program

Today the Club’s guest speaker was Ms. Marjorie Harvey, the High Museum Manager of Exhibition and Design.

Ever wonder how the Atlanta High Museum of Art got its’ name?  In 1926, a Mrs. High on Peachtree Street had the first showings of fine art in her mansion, before Atlanta had a museum. Thus the name remained in honor of the woman who had the foresight to realize Atlanta needed a museum.

So today Atlanta is ‘blessed’ with a museum called “a village for the arts” composed of  four buildings, designed by the world renowned architect Renzo Piano, at a cost of over 124 million dollars and brings in exhibits from national museums from around the globe.

Ms. Harvey, in 1982, moved to Atlanta to coordinate the move of the Atlanta museum when it was housed on the Memorial Arts Building, designed by Richard Meier. This building was dedicated to the 1962 airplane tragedy at Orly Airport in France, when 100 Atlanta museum supporters out of 132 passengers perished in this accident.

As a result of this tragedy, France gave Atlanta a Rodin statue called “The Thinker” that stood inside the museum for many years near some stairs.  People would touch the finger of the statue for good luck when they walked up these stairs.

Ms. Harvey started her career, over 25 years ago, as the Museum’s Registrar, the person in charge of the safe handling of all art works.  After a few years in this position, she was promoted to the museum’s Manager of Exhibits and Designs.  In this position she is responsible for exhibition contracts, budgets, schedules, and special exhibition designs.

In 1999, she was asked to be the Director of the Architectural Planning and Design for the Museum’s expansion designed by Renzo Piano.  In this position, she works closely with the museum staff, board, architects, and builders to be certain Atlanta gets the museum facility that is wanted and needed.

Ms. Harvey was ably assisted by Ms. Crystal Moore, a member of the Museum staff, with her lecture and computer presentation.

Upcoming speaker

Next week’s speaker is Ms. Sandra Putnam of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

President Wortman's Thought for The Day

“Most convicted felons are just people who were not taken to museums or Broadway musicals as children.”
-- Libby Gelman-Waxner

Announcements

1. My House Project:
   This Saturday, June 2nd, at 10 a.m. Project leader Billy King will be at “My House” at 768 Juniper Street.  Help is needed for a general clean up/ garden day and Fourth of July decoration preparations.  Bring some garden tools, a couple of garden trash bags, plenty of energy, and some ‘vim and vigor’.  Coffee and donuts will be served.  Anyone who can, please come help. Its loads of fun and everyone has a grand time with the kids. It puts a smile on your face and the kids too.
2. Billy wanted to thank Bob Bodimer publicly for helping him with this project while he was going through the death of his father.
3. Americus Tornado Help Project:
   The “Galloping Gals” of Peachtree Atlanta Kiwanis, better known as Antje Wortman, Ronni French and Nell Merkle, delivered to Americus, Georgia a check for $1700 and supplies for the relief effort currently going on there.  Anyone want to build a hospital for Americus?  This community’s hospital was destroyed by the tornado. The only medical facility now available there is a “MASH-style” tent.  Much of the devastation has been fenced off.  But these three ‘masked ladies’ penetrated the fenced perimeter to take pictures.  Antje said ‘photos will be coming soon.’  Watch your e-mail!  The Americus people were most appreciative.
4. Monthly Board of Directors Meeting:
   This Friday, June 1st, at 7:30 a.m. the Board will meet at J. Christopher’s restaurant, upstairs.  The restaurant is located on Ponce Ave near the old Sears store complex which is now called City Hall East.
5. Club member Mr. David Baker will be spending the next month in Spain teaching English to Spaniards, who wish to be fluent in two languages.  I'm sure we can learn a thing or two about Spanish wines and flamingo dancers when he returns.  God speed and have a wonderful experience.

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