Every other year, the Georgia Museum of Art holds Elegant Salute, its gala fundraiser. This February, it returns in its 18th edition: Baroque and Beyond(opens in new tab).
The theme is inspired by the exhibition “Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection,”(opens in new tab) which will open on the same day, giving gala attendees a first look. The Haukohl Family Collection is one of the finest and most extensive holdings of Florentine baroque art in private hands outside of Italy. “Beyond the Medici” brings a selection from this collection to the University of Georgia, offering a unique opportunity for students and the wider community to experience these works of art.
Fitting with this focus on educating the next generation of art aficionados, shared by the Haukohl family, the event’s goal is to raise $150,000 for the museum’s student programs. Over the past year, we have significantly expanded and deepened our work with University of Georgia students: adding a student guide program, making all our internships paid positions, pursuing new partnerships with the UGA School of Medicine and more.
“There’s nothing better than a party with a purpose, and this iteration of Elegant Salute has a truly wonderful purpose: raising funds to support student learning at the museum,” said David Odo, the museum’s director. “Our mission to ensure that art is a critical part of every student’s experience at Georgia is our greatest responsibility. I’m so grateful to all our supporters who help make this work possible.”
Our gala events would not be possible without the work of longtime museum supporters. This year, Ligia Alexander is serving as chair and Greta Covington as co-chair. Both are members of the Friends Advisory Board. Alexander has been flower chair for several events, including Elegant Salute, and owns Perryander Studio, which supplies beautiful floral arrangements for many museum events. Covington has also served on the Elegant Salute committee previously, assisted with floral decor and volunteered her time at many nonprofit organizations in the Athens area.
Ham Magill, David Matheny and Gordhan Patel are returning as fundraising chairs after major success in that role in the past. Epting Events will provide sumptuous hors d’oeuvres. Maggie Hancock is overseeing decor, a role she has excelled in previously; Mary Anna Terrell is supervising flowers; and Susanna Drennen and Christina LaFontaine are chairing the dance party committee. This year’s dance party, which follows the more formal part of the event, is titled “Rock Me Amadeus.”
“I love the life that the dance party brings to the more formal aspects of Elegant Salute,” said Drennen. “It is just a really fun way to raise money for such a great museum and gives people a chance to mingle and see how fun being at a museum event can be.”
Carrie Scruggs will play the harp during Elegant Salute, and DJ Mahogany will be spinning tunes for the dance party. Unlike the last Elegant Salute, this one will feature the opportunity to buy individual tickets, which are not exclusive to sponsorships.
Tickets to Elegant Salute(opens in new tab), which includes admission to the dance party, are $400 per person for Friend + Annual Fund Members, $450 per person for not yet Friends + Annual Fund Members. Each individual ticket includes a $100 tax-deductible contribution.
Tickets to only the “Rock Me Amadeus” dance party(opens in new tab) are $75 per person for Friend + Annual Fund Members, $95 per person for not yet Friends + Annual Fund Members or $85 per person at the group rate (6+ tickets purchased at the same time online)
All attendees are should wear black tie or cocktail attire. Powdered wigs and/or 1980s finery are enthusiastically encouraged.
Visit bit.ly/es-2025(opens in new tab) to sponsor or purchase your tickets now.
Authored by:
Hillary Brown
