The Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art is an organization that encompasses people and companies with a love for visual art and a passion to see it flourish. For 2019 – 20, the Friends will welcome five new board members, who will each serve a three-year term. As members of the Friends Board of Directors, these individuals will work to promote education and cultivate interest in the museum.
Ligia Alexander
With a background in art and photography from Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia, Ligia Alexander is a freelance floral designer who has worked throughout North America. Alexander and her husband Gus moved to Watkinsville in 2015, and since then she has been involved in the museum’s events in different capacities. Alexander previously chaired two positions for Elegant Salute, the museum’s biennial fundraiser: decor chair in 2017 and floral chair in 2019. She will serve a three-year term.
Elizabeth Katz
Elizabeth Katz has extensive involvement in the Athens community as well as with the museum. Katz earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Georgia College in 2003 and has worked in public relations for universities and companies across Georgia. In Athens, she is involved with several organizations and events including Ciné, Extra Special People and the Athens Jewish Film Festival. At the museum, Katz was part of the museum’s Elegant Salute Dance Party Committee in 2019. She will serve a three-year term.
Sherrie Olejnik
Docent Liaison, docent president
Sherrie Olejnik is the new docent president at the museum. She received her Ph.D. in literacy education at the University of Florida in 1982, then came to UGA, where she taught until retiring in 2007. After retirement, she wanted to do something that involved her love of travel and art, so in 2012 she became a docent at the Georgia Museum of Art. She loves exposing both children and adults to the wonders of the museum as well as continuing to learn through docent education. She will serve a two-year term.
Richard Owens
Originally from Georgia, Richard Owens has traveled all over the world. Owens spent three years in the U.S. Government and 20 years at the World Intellectual Property Organization. After spending time in Washington, D.C., Geneva, Switzerland and London, Owens returned to Georgia in 2012. Since his return, he has worn many hats at the museum and has been a Friend since 2007. He has sponsored the last three Elegant Salutes and the 2018 Collectors fundraiser. He will serve a three-year term.
Gordhan Patel
Ex-Officio, Chair of the Board of Advisors
A resident of Athens for over 50 years, Gordhan Patel has made his mark on the museum through his fundraising knowledge and years of visiting museums. Patel is currently the chair of the museum’s Board of Advisors, which promotes education and research at the museum as well as financial support and art donations. You can read more about him here. He will serve a two-year term.
Want to join the Friends? You can do so at jointhemuseum.com or find out more about different levels of support on our website.
By Anika Chaturvedi
