from the DIRECTOR
board of ADVISORS
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Those are the words of Greek philosopher Heraclitus and as I reflected and prepared to write this, I found them fitting. After retiring from the muse - um in June 2022, I spent less than a year adjusting to life as a retiree before I was asked to step back into the ever-changing river that is the Georgia Museum of Art. I started my term as interim director on April Fool’s Day, and the irony was not lost on me; however, this is no fool’s errand. The museum is welcoming a new director at the end of June, getting ready for its 75th anniversary celebrations in November and continuing to host a robust schedule of exhibitions and related programming. Thus, my main task as interim director is to see the museum through this period of transi- tion and ensure that day-to-day operations continue as usual. It is my privilege to lead during this pivotal time, and I am honored to have been asked to guide this distinguished institution. I had already been lucky enough to contribute to this wonderful museum community for just over 34 years, which is almost half of the life of the museum, and I can assure you that this place has quite a flourishing life. The museum is not only a keeper of history and artifacts but an active place where new scholarship is fostered, creativity is encouraged and relationships are built. As an academic museum on the campus of a large state university, we have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with a wide range of disciplines across campus. We also serve as the state museum of art, whereby we reach and serve countless communities across the state and here in our hometown. I am also extremely proud of other facets of the museum, as we boast award-winning publications, groundbreaking research and remarkable exhibitions. One can witness the river of life coming through the museum’s doors every day. Just this past Tuesday I had the opportunity to say hello to several shiny-faced toddlers adorned with bright paper crowns. Over the years, I have welcomed First Year Odyssey students from UGA, navigat- ed my way through countless tours to classes of fifth-grade students and sang (yes, sang!) along with a group from the Athens Community Council on Aging. To be honest, I was just beginning to adjust to retirement when I was called back, but as I hurry from meeting to meeting, I find myself invig - orated to be working once again with a dedicated and loyal staff and the donors and volunteers who support them. These accomplishments and endeavors promote the effect that moves me the most — that poignant moment of human connectedness and understanding. No matter how fleeting, it is always a gift to witness and experience. Many have contributed to the success of the museum over the years, and it is my hope that I have added something positive and beneficial to its rich history. I am keenly aware that I stand on the shoulders of those before me. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Bill Eiland, an accomplished and gifted writer and dedicated museum professional who devoted much of his career to promoting and raising the visibility of the museum. With his retirement, he left some very large shoes to fill. Change can be challenging and stressful. It can also be exciting. It is my hope that as the current propels us forward under our new director, Dr. David Odo, we will embrace this exhilarating time.
Carl. W. Mullis III * Gloria B. Norris*** Randall S. Ott Sylvia Hillyard Pannell Gordhan L. Patel Janet W. Patterson Christopher R. Peterson, chair Rutledge Robinson Margaret A. Rolando * Julie M. Roth Alan F. Rothschild * Bert Russo Sarah P. Sams **
B. Heyward Allen Jr. * Rinne Allen Amalia K. Amaki ** June M. Ball Linda N. Beard Karen L. Benson** Jeanne L. Berry Sally Bradley Devereux C. Burch * Lacy Middlebrooks Camp Shannon I. Candler * Wes Cochran Harvey J. Coleman James Cunningham Martha Randolph Daura *** Todd Emily James B. Fleece John M. Greene ** Judith F. Hernstadt Marion E. Jarrell ** Jane Compton Johnson * George-Ann Knox * Shell H. Knox * Andrew Littlejohn D. Hamilton Magill, chair elect David W. Matheny, immediate past chair
D. Jack Sawyer Jr. * Henry C. Schwob ** Margaret R. Spalding Dudley R. Stevens Anne Wall Thomas *** Brenda A. Thompson William E. Torres Carol V. Winthrop * Gregory Ann Woodruff
Ex-Officio Linda C. Chesnut Bree Hayes S. Jack Hu David Odo Jeanette Taylor
Marilyn M. McMullan Marilyn D. McNeely Ibby Mills
* Lifetime member
** Emeritus member
*** Honorary member
Mission Statement: The Georgia Museum of Art shares the mission of the University of Georgia to support and to promote teaching, research and service. Specifically, as a repository and educational instrument of the visual arts, the museum exists to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret significant works of art. The W. Newton Morris Charitable Foundation Fund and the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art support exhibitions and programs at the Georgia Museum of Art. The Georgia Council for the Arts also provides support through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA 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 ADA compliant; the M. Smith Griffith Auditori- um is equipped for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. The University of Georgia does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or mili- tary service in its administrations of educational policies, programs or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Office 119 Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone 706-542- 7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822. https://eoo.uga.edu/.
Front and back cover: Elaine de Kooning (1918 – 1989), “Black Mountain #6” (detail), 1948. Enamel on paper mounted on canvas. The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY. Museum purchase. 1991.20.
Come on in. The water is fine!
Annelies Mondi, Interim Director
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