SMITTY AWARD, NEW FRIENDS BOARD MEMBERS named at annual meeting
2023 Smitty Award winner Maggie Hancock (right) and her mother, Peg Wood.
At the Georgia Museum of Art, our community of support- ers means everything. Truly. For the last 75 years, artist, patron, donor and volunteer support for the museum have helped us create and sustain a creative community. As a testament to the volunteer effort behind the scenes at the museum that has been tantamount to our overall success for three quarters of a century, we recognize one volunteer each year with the M. Smith Griffith Volunteer of the Year Award, lovingly known as the “Smitty.” The museum’s volunteers are often the unsung heroes of the success of our efforts, which is one of the reasons we’ve been recognizing our volunteers’ efforts for more than 25 years. The Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art presented the 2023 M. Smith Griffith Volunteer of the Year Award at their annual meeting in August. Held in person for the first time since 2019, the meeting served as a review of the past year and a chance to discuss new business and induct new board members. The “Smitty” award acknowledges outstanding museum volunteers and contributors each year, and this year’s re- cipient was longtime museum supporter Maggie Hancock . Ever the supporter of all things artistic, Hancock returned to Athens roughly a decade ago after having received her degree in interior design from the University of Georgia (BFA ’77).
She was drawn to and quickly became involved with the Georgia Museum of Art. Hancock served as a member of the Friends board of directors from 2014 to 2020, where her love of design drew her to our signature fundraising event, Elegant Salute. She served as décor chair for Elegant Salute XIIII: An Elegant Salute to Georgia, in 2015, then took on the role of event chair for Elegant Salute XV: A Night of Tropical Splendor, in 2017. Since then, she has returned as décor chair for Elegant Salutes XVI and XVII, where her creative vision and impeccable attention to detail have be- come synonymous with the caliber of event our donors and guests have come to enjoy. Hancock’s commitment and devotion to Elegant Salute has truly been an inspiration, and the overwhelming success of this year’s Elegant Salute made her the perfect recipient for this year’s award. Sarah Peterson, outgoing president of the Friends board, acknowledged board members who have completed their term of service: Cassie Bryant, Sige Burden Jr., Lacy Middlebrooks Camp, Teresa Friedlander, Jeffrey Goodwin, Katharine Hable, Melissa Harshman, Jean Petrovs, Shenara Sexton and Ron Thomas. Lauren Schlesinger was approved as president-elect of the board and Christina LaFontaine as treasurer (a position that became vacant with Schlesinger’s shift to president-elect).
14
14
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online