2017 Gala Weekend Event Report

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Tom Shinall, TMP Director of Marketing [email protected] 770-387-1300 BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM GENERATES FUNDING THROUGH THE ANNUAL FOR THE LOVE OF ART GALA & ART AUCTIONCelebrating the evolution of two great artists, Howard Terpning and Robert McGinnisCARTERSVILLE, GA – Booth Western Art Museum recently hosted its eighth annual For the Love of ArtGala & Art Auction on February 25 and Boots ‘N’ Saddles pre-gala party on February 24. Combined,these events raised more than $180,000 to support museum exhibitions and educational programsthrough live and silent auctions, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Of that total amount, more than $17,000was raised through a “paddle raise” for the Booth Museum Public School Transportation Fund which willcover the transportation costs for more than 7,000 young people to the Booth. The highlight of theweekend was the presentation of the Booth Western Art Museum Lifetime Achievement Award to artistRobert McGinnis. Recognized for his achievements as a painter and Hall of Fame illustrator, McGinnisbecame the ninth-ever recipient of the award, joining Howard Terpning, G. Harvey, Kenneth Riley, FredFellows, Glenna Goodacre, Mort Künstler, Roy Anderson, and Tom Hill.“Our Gala Weekend event serves several purposes,” said Booth Museum Executive Director SethHopkins. “First, the funding that is generated goes to help support our exhibitions, educational programsand enrichment programs throughout the year. Second, we honor an artist within the Museum’s collectionwith a Lifetime Achievement Award. Robert McGinnis is certainly a deserving honoree – he had a highlysuccessful career as an illustrator and a very successful Western art career. The third purpose of theGala weekend is to bring together Western art collectors, artists and enthusiasts from throughout thecountry, particularly the Southeast, in an atmosphere where they can engage and socialize.”In conjunction with Boots ‘N’ Saddles, legendary artist Howard Terpning was honored with the officialexhibition opening of Howard Terpning: 70 Years of Art. By nearly any measure – awards, salesrecords, critical acclaim or collector demand – Howard Terpning is the most accomplished living Westernartist. Focusing on four major segments of his artistic output – early illustrations, movie posters for majormotion pictures, combat art from a tour with the United States Marines in Vietnam as a civilian combatartist, and nearly 40 major paintings from his fine art career, this is the definitive retrospective exhibitionhonoring Terpning.Another highlight of the weekend was a live art auction, including more than a dozen original works of artdonated by the artists and friends of the Booth. Top selling lots included a painting by Robert Griffing for$18,000 and a turned honey locust wood bowl by Philip Moulthrop for $6,500. Experiential opportunities MORE

Page two, 2017 Gala Recapdid well as a private dinner for eight with Booth Museum Executive Director Seth Hopkins and his wifeJoyce sold twice at $5,000 each, and a Trip to Cody Wyoming highlighted with a behind-the-scenes tourand dinner at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West with Executive Director & CEO Bruce Eldredge for$5,000.In addition to Howard Terpning, other prominent artists in attendance included John Buxton, Kyle Carroll,John Coleman, David DeVary, Maeve Eichelberger, Susan Friedland, Anne Geotze, Martin Grelle, BarryHenderson, Rich Loffler, John Mariana, Chris Navarro, Mike Poulsen, Amy Ringholz, Gerry Wempner,David Wright, and David Yorke.Unfortunately, Robert McGinnis was unable to travel from New York for the event. However, his longtimefriend and peer, Howard Terpning was able to accept his award on his behalf. “I am pleased to acceptthis beautiful award on behalf of Bob,” said Terpning. “He is a wonderful guy. I’ve known him a long, longtime. He is a gentleman and a brilliant painter, always has been. He is just a great draftsman, greatdesigner, he had great concepts. He is really deserving of this award and its recognition and I wish hewere here. On behalf of Bob, I accept this award and I’m sure he’ll be very proud to receive it.”“It was a great weekend for the Booth,” Hopkins said. “A very special thank you to our Gala Event ChairsDavid and Cynthia Hayes and Boots ‘N’ Saddles Chair Candace Alexander McNair for their leadershipand for pushing us to new heights. It takes a team, and we have a great team!”Lastly, it was announced that a true renaissance man – Air Force Test Pilot, Astronaut Candidate, IBMComputer Systems Engineer, Aviation Consultant, Restauranteur, Real Estate Developer, holder ofdegrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Fine Art – legendary sculptor Ed Dwight will be honored with thetenth Booth Western Art Museum Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2018 For the Love of Art Gala& Art Auction.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. ###