The public is invited to join the many philanthropic individuals, families, businesses, and foundations who have supported the Knoxville Museum of Art’s 25th Anniversary Campaign. This is a rare opportunity for everyone to invest in the museum’s next 25 years and to participate in a defining moment and unrivalled opportunity for the KMA and for Knoxville and the region. Contributions of any amount are needed and welcomed.
As the KMA prepares to celebrate its first quarter-century of operations in the landmark Clayton Building in 2015, the 25th Anniversary Campaign is securing the museum’s future as a vibrant regional asset. The campaign, which began in late 2012, has reached just over $9 million in cash pledges toward its overall goal of $10 million for the comprehensive renovation of the Clayton Building, improvements to the museum’s campus, operating endowment growth, and the establishment of an art acquisition fund.
According to KMA Executive Director David Butler, “The ‘quiet phase’ of the campaign among museum friends and stakeholders over the past year and half, chaired by KMA trustee Stuart Worden with the volunteer help of many current and former trustees, has been extremely successful. With the funds raised to date, we have been able to complete the comprehensive renovation of the Clayton Building, which looks even better than when it first opened twenty-five years ago. We are still seeking funds to help maintain our improved facility and grow the operating endowment and art acquisition fund.”
All donors to the campaign whose gifts are received before January 31, 2015 will be recognized in a permanent plaque to be installed in the museum lobby before the Clayton Building twenty-fifth birthday celebration on March 25, 2015. Pledged gifts may be paid over a five-year period. To contribute to the 25th Anniversary Campaign, go to www.knoxart.org or contact Susan Hyde at shyde@knoxart.org or 865-934-2045.
The catalyst for the 25th Anniversary Campaign has been the gift of the most ambitious and monumental figural glass installation in the world, the work of internationally renowned artist and Knoxville resident Richard Jolley. This dazzling 100- foot-long, 14-foot-high sculpture, titled Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity, the generous gift of Ann and Steve Bailey, was unveiled to the public in May 2014, along with the beautifully renovated and upgraded facility and grounds.
The gift of the Jolley sculpture, a spectacular affirmation of the museum’s commitment to the art and artists of the region, is but the latest in a decades-long legacy of remarkable and generous donations that created and have sustained the KMA. The largest single gift in the museum’s history, by local philanthropist Jim Clayton, led to the construction of the museum’s greatest masterpiece, the Clayton Building, which opened in 1990. This architectural landmark was designed by esteemed American Modernist architect Edward Larrabee Barnes and clad in Tennessee marble. As the building’s 25th anniversary and the Jolley unveiling approached, long-deferred maintenance and cosmetic work needed to be undertaken both on the interior and exterior, including the creation of a new North Garden for the entire community to enjoy.
The generous lead gifts on the campaign include a commitment of $2.5 million from the Aslan Foundation and a pledge of $1 million from the Clayton Family Foundation. Below is a list of the generous donors to the KMA’s 25th Anniversary Campaign, including those who have made estate commitments.
The Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee, presents new art and new ideas, serves and educates diverse audiences, and enhances Knoxville’s quality of life. The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 10am–5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Angela Thomas at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.
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Donors to the Knoxville Museum of Art 25th Anniversary Campaign
(as of October 1, 2014; includes estate commitments)
LEADERSHIP
The Aslan Foundation
Ann and Steve Bailey
VANGUARD
Clayton Family Foundation
Ms. Lane Hays
VISIONARY
Dr. and Mrs. Steve Brewington
Cherokee Distributing Company
Nancy and Stephen Land
Caesar and Dorothy Stair
The Watkins Family Partnership
BENEFACTOR
Regal Entertainment Group
Scripps Networks Interactive
The Harry Stowers Family
GRAND PATRON
Kreis Beall
Betsey R. Bush
Ms. Rosemary R. Gilliam
Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Hartley
Florence and Russ Johnston
Drs. Penny Lynch and Kimbro Maguire
Jay and Marga McBride
Ellen R. Mitchell
Alan Solomon, MD
The Rotary Club of Knoxville
Stuart R. Worden
PATRON
Aubrey’s Restaurants, Inc.
Mary Anne and Sam Beall
Marty and Jim Begalla
Sally S. Branson in memory of Dr. Aubra D. Branson
David L. Butler
Camel Manufacturing; April and Stephen Harris
Central Business Improvement District of Knoxville
City of Knoxville
Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville
June and Rob Heller
Susan and Lee Hyde
Richard and Grace Jansen
Sharon and Joe Pryse
The Trust Company of Knoxville
Jackie Wilson
BUILDER
Ambassador and Mrs. Victor Ashe
Blaine Construction Corporation
Jane and Kenneth Creed
Catherine and Mark Hill
Knox County
Robert S. Marquis and Elaine M. MacDonald in memory of Gloria (Glo) Nelson Marquis
Mr. Daniel F. McGehee
Melinda Meador and Milton McNally
Jeffrey D. and Pamela D. Peters
Sylvia and Jan Peters
Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo
Mary and Joe Sullivan
AMBASSADOR
Riley and Pandy Anderson
Barbara and Steve Apking
Bernard E. and Barbara W. Bernstein
Bobbie Y. Congleton in memory of Lee Congleton
Charleene G. Edwards
Susan and Kent Farris
Graham Corporation
Susan and Robert Hawthorne
Ray M.* and Christine G. Hayworth
Jennifer Holder
Doug and Brenda Horne
Mrs. David B. Kerr
Sherri Parker Lee
Brenda L. Madigan
A. David and Sandra Martin
Carole and Bob Martin
Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Park
Alexandra Palmer Rosen
Dr. Bernard S. and Mrs. Lesley W. Rosenblatt
Patricia and Alan Rutenberg
Mr. James Smith in memory of Mimi Kenan Smith
Megan and Caesar Stair
John and Leslie Testerman
John Z.C. Thomas
Mrs. G. Howard Turner, Jr.
Mimi and Milton Turner
Donna and Terry Wertz
Pat and Geoff Wolpert
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Wood
CULTIVATOR
All Occasions Party Rentals
Gary and Julia Bentley
Allen and Lisa Carroll
Chancellor and Mrs. Jimmy Cheek
Mr.* and Mrs. Ross Faires
Wm. Gregory Hall, Jr.
Mark and Laura Heinz
Jimmy and Debbie Jones
Tim and Vicki Keller
Melissa and Tom McAdams
Mr. and Mrs.* W.R. McNabb
Bert and Jennie Ritchie
Natalie Robinson
Robert and Diana Samples in memory of Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz and Edward Harrison Hurst
Shafer Insurance Agency, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Jan F. Simek
Amy and Chris Skalet
Fred and Allison Smith
CHAMPION
Tyler and Vee Congleton
Bob Carter Companies
Thomas A. Cervone and Susan Creswell
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Croley
M. Denise DuBose and Francis L. Lloyd, Jr.
Lynda Evans
Scott and Lynne Fugate
Richard and Amy Grover
Diane Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Harmon
Alan Jones
Joyce Jones
The Lederer Family
Rosalind R. Martin
Libby and Jeremy Nelson
Ron and Ebbie Sandberg
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Seymour
Robin and Joe Ben Turner
Michael and Lisa Walsh
Wokie and Stephen Wicks
FRIEND
Ms. Krishna Adams
Leigh Ann Bales and Michael Jacopelle
Bob Baldani
Wayne Bismark
Deedee Blane
Regis Ann Borsari
Barbara D. Boulton
Nancy S. Campbell and William O. Moorefield
Margo Clark
Carol L. Devenski
Joyce Robinson Diftler and Harold Diftler
DeLena Feliciano
Falen and Clark Gillespie
Mrs. Abner M. Glover
Norbert Grant
Edward and Donie Green
Mary Hess
Norma K. Holmes
Sharon Hudson
Jackie and Richard Imbrey
Elizabeth and Michael Jennings
KMA Volunteer Advisory Committee
Diana Crisp Lopez
Ronald C. Martin
Barbara Maxon in memory of Douglas Maxon
James, Maggie, and Nathaniel Meyers
Carla May Paré
Ann Preston
Mary Ellen Smethells
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sproul
Angela Thomas
Ms. Stephanie M. Walker
Mr. and Mrs. John Von Weisenstein
Lahai Wicks
Terry L. Wood in memory of Nancy E. Wood
Carole Wunderlich
* deceased