JCSM announces unique opportunity for patrons

AUBURN, Ala. - The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University announces the second annual 1072 Society Exhibition, on view November 14, 2009 through January 23, 2010in the Noel and Kathryn Dickinson Wadsworth Gallery. This year’s impressive selection of art features paintings, sculpture, works on paper and hand-blown glass considered for acquisition by the museum’s 1072 Society collectors group to be added to the museum’s permanent collection. Artists represented in the exhibition include Käthe Kollwitz, Frederick MacMonnies, Dante Marioni and Louise Nevelson, among others.

All of the pieces were selected for inclusion because of the new and important dimensions they would bring to the museum’s expanding art collection. Such growth is made possible in part through funding provided by the 1072 Society, a unique giving opportunity that enables JCSM patrons to join in building the museum’s future legacy. The 1072 Society’s name refers to the dollar amount that Auburn University paid to acquire 36 works from the Advancing American Art collection in 1948. That initial, shrewd purchase formed the core of the museum’s permanent collection. The 1072 Society was established in 2008 to facilitate the continued growth of the permanent collection and to honor this commitment to excellence made more than 60 years ago.
Membership in the 1072 Society requires an annual gift of $1,072, which is pooled each year to purchase new and significant works for JCSM. According to museum director Marilyn Laufer, “Your membership in the 1072 Society helps us to continue to build, one wonderful work of art at a time, a collection that will inspire and engage our entire community long into the future. The more 1072 Society members we involve, the greater the acquisitions we can make.”

To promote and enhance this program, the museum has planned a special evening event to thank the founding members of the 1072 Societyand to welcome those who wish to join in this coming year. Dr. William P. Hood, Jr., of Dothan, Alabama, will discuss his private collection of modern flatware, presently featured in the museum’s Grand Gallery, and speak on the nature of building collections. Dr. Hood, who taught at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before opening a cardiology practice in Dothan, has engaged for several years in studying and collecting nineteenth-century silver flatware, especially by Tiffany & Co., and contemporary flatware by prominent designers. During the event museum staff will discuss the potential new acquisitions on view in the 1072 Society Exhibition. Interested parties are welcome to attend this program on Thursday evening, November 19, 2009 from 6:30- 8:30 pm. Please reserve a place by calling Robbin Birmingham at 334.844.3085as seating is limited.

Open since 2003, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University is Alabama’s only university art museum. Serving as the gateway into Auburn University, the museum has a wide-ranging permanent collection, which includes more than 100 Audubon prints, Tibetan bronzes dating from as early as the 15th century and works by important American modern artists, such as Arthur Dove, Lyonel Feininger and Georgia O’Keeffe. The museum rotunda features a three-tiered, hand-blown glass chandelier created especially for the space by internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The museum experience continues onto the grounds with fifteen acres of gardens, walking paths and water features complete with outdoor sculpture, including Spinoff, created by Auburn alumna Jean Woodham. To find out more visit our web site at jcsm.auburn.edu.

To become a member of the 1072 Society or for more information contact Development Officer, Brett Evans at 334.844.7945 or bevans@auburn.edu

CONTACTS:

Marilyn Laufer, Director, laufema@auburn.edu (334) 844-1486

Stacey Moore, Marketing, moore23@auburn.edu, (334) 844 - 3488