2018 For the Love of Art – Gala Weekend

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Tom Shinall, TMP Director of Marketing [email protected] 770-387-1300 CELEBRATING THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF TOMBSTONE AND HONORING A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN, ED DWIGHTNinth Annual For the Love of Art Gala & Art Auction at Booth Western Art MuseumCARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA – On Saturday, February 24, 2018, Booth Western Art Museum will host theninth annual For the Love of Art Gala & Art Auction. As the largest annual fundraiser for the Museum,the Gala will feature fine art, jewelry, unique travel experiences, and more offered in both live and silentauction formats. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Booth Western Art MuseumLifetime Achievement Award to artist Ed Dwight.So, who is Ed Dwight? “Ed Dwight is a true renaissance man,” says Booth Museum Executive DirectorSeth Hopkins. “He will be honored with the Booth Western Art Museum Lifetime Achievement Award atthis year’s Gala, becoming the tenth-ever recipient of the award, joining Howard Terpning, G. Harvey,Kenneth Riley, Fred Fellows, Glenna Goodacre, Mort Künstler, Roy Andersen, Tom Hill, and RobertMcGinnis.”Following through on a childhood dream to become an artist, Ed created more than 50 bronze sculpturesdepicting pioneers, explorers, trappers, farmers, and soldiers of the old West, exhibited throughout thecountry - gaining widespread critical acclaim. However, Dwight did not have a direct path to artisticsuccess. His circuitous route included careers as an Air Force test pilot, astronaut candidate, IBMComputer Systems engineer, aviation consultant, real estate developer, restaurateur, and – holder ofdegrees in aeronautical engineering and fine art – a true renaissance man…who also had to overcomethe obstacles placed before him as an African American. He was chosen by President John F. Kennedyto become the first Black Astronaut candidate and had Kennedy lived, Dwight may well have walked onthe Moon. When circumstances prevented him from accomplishing this goal, he simply made new ones.Achieving success in several areas of business before beginning his art career in 1978, Dwight hasbecome one of the most prolific and insightful sculptors in America, with more than 100 publicmonuments to his credit – including the iconic sculptures of Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro at Turner Field,former home of the Atlanta Braves. One of his most important bodies of work is the series entitled BlackFrontier Spirit in the American West. Several examples from the series were exhibited in the BoothWestern Art Museum exhibition Black West: Buffalo Soldiers, Black Cowboys and UntoldStories. Dwight’s 1980 masterwork Battle of Clay Creek Mission is in the Booth Museum permanentcollection, a gift of Barbara and Robert P. Hunter, Jr. MORE

Page two, Gala WeekendBeginning at 5:30 pm on February 24, guests can tour the galleries of Booth Museum and view currentexhibitions Laura Wilson: That Day and Z.Z. Wei: Shadow Stories. Guests will enjoy a cocktailreception with friends and Western art enthusiasts and bid on items in the silent auction. At 7:30 pm,guests will adjourn to the Booth Ballroom for a gourmet dinner and live art auction. At 8:30 pm, Hopkinswill present the Booth Lifetime Achievement Award to artist Ed Dwight. Suggested dress for men is blacktie optional, Texas tux, boots, and bolos are encouraged. Women have a formal option, but dressyWestern is encouraged. For the Love of Art Gala tickets are $200 per person or included in the all-eventweekend ticket.To provide a well-rounded weekend experience and more opportunities to interact with the artists inattendance, patrons can attend three additional events supporting the Museum - Boots ‘N’ Saddles,Brunch with the Artists, and a Panel Discussion – TOMBSTONE: The Real Story and ReelVersions, Fact or Fiction?Beginning at 6:30 pm on Friday, February 23 at Booth Western Art Museum, guests will celebrate the25th anniversary of the movie Tombstone with live music, Western card games, heavy hors d'oeuvres,open bar, and more at Boots ‘N’ Saddles, a pre-Gala party. Fancy Western dress is encouraged. Boots‘N’ Saddles tickets are $75 per person or included in the all-event weekend ticket.At 10:00 am on Saturday, February 24, a Brunch with the Artists will be held at the Hilton Garden InnCartersville, the official host hotel. This is an informal opportunity to mix and mingle with honored guestEd Dwight and other artists in town for Gala weekend. Attendees will enjoy a brunch buffet and aninterview with Dwight led by Hopkins. Brunch with the Artists tickets are $40 per person or included inthe all-event weekend ticket.At 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 24 in Booth Museum’s Bergman Theatre, Hopkins will be joined byactor Buck Taylor and Booth Museum’s own Jim Dunham for a panel discussion on the creation of themovie Tombstone. The Panel Discussion – TOMBSTONE: The Real Story and Reel Versions, Factor Fiction? is open to the public and included with general admission to the Museum and/or the all-eventweekend ticket. Attendees are also encouraged to check out the Candace Alexander McNair MuseumStore for exciting new items available exclusively for Gala Weekend.Last year’s events raised more than $180,000 to support Museum exhibitions, educational, andenrichment programs through live and silent auctions, sponsorships, and ticket sales. The all-event MORE

Page three, Gala Weekendweekend ticket package is $250 per person. Event tickets are limited and are selling fast. To purchaseyour event tickets, call 770-387-1541. For more information on the events and to see items available inthe live and silent auctions, visit www.boothmuseum.org.About Booth Western Art MuseumBooth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution, is a 120,000 square foot museumlocated in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to See America’s Story through contemporaryWestern artwork, a Presidential Gallery, Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch, an interactivechildren’s gallery. Open since August 2003, Booth Museum is the only museum of its kind in theSoutheast and was named the 2016 Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year from theSoutheast Tourism Society. To learn more about Booth Western Art Museum, visitwww.boothmuseum.org.Museum DirectionsBooth Western Art Museum is located at 501 N. Museum Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120. Take I-75 to exit#288 – Main Street, Cartersville. Head West. Follow Main Street (Highway #113 / #61) into the businessdistrict – approximately 2.2 miles. Turn right on Gilmer Street, travel two blocks under the bridge and theMuseum is on the left. Free parking is available in the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot on GilmerStreet, across from the Museum entrance.Museum HoursTuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.AdmissionAdult: $12 plus tax; Senior (65+): $10 plus tax; Student (with ID): $9 plus tax; Child (12 and under): Free(accompanied by parent or guardian); Active Military Personnel (with ID): Free (½ price regular admissionfor all immediate family members of the active duty person); Booth Museum Members: Free; FirstThursday of each month: Free admission for all between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. ###