Museum honors supporters

Special to The Star

May 15, 2008 12:24 am

— An evening of art and elegance returns to Meridian when the Meridian Museum of Art hosts its annual Patrons Party on Thursday, March 22, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
This year’s party will be held at the beautiful home of Stephen and Cindy McDaniel, and will feature fine food, drink, music and the outstanding artwork of special guest artist Cooper Michael French.
The Patron's Party is a special gala for Museum members at the Patron level and above, designed to honor Patron members and to encourage new Patron memberships.
“This is our chance to thank and honor our patrons,” said BJ Hatten, chair of the event. “The party lets us show them our gratitude while we treat them to a special, one-of-a-kind evening – one where they’re guaranteed to have a great time.”
One of the highlights of each year’s Patron’s Party is the chance to see a special, exclusive art exhibit featuring the work of one of the most accomplished artists in the Southeast. This year’s featured artist, Cooper Michael French, was born and raised in Meridian and studied art in Meridian Public Schools, at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Va., and under Greg Cartmell. In 1987 Cooper moved to Washington, D.C., where he became a Painter/Restorationist for GSA at the White House Complex.
Cooper was assigned to paint in the Old Executive Office Building, Presidents Guest House, and the White House East and West Wings. He was involved in restoring the hallways, six beautiful domes, and the office of both Roosevelts that served as Under Secretary to the Navy in the Old Executive Office Building, and many projects in the East and West Wing of the White House. As recently as March of 2006, he went back and helped restore the ceiling in the War Room in the Old Executive Office Building. In 2005, Cooper retired from the government to pursue his life long dream of being an artist. He moved back to his Meridian and has since been painting landscapes, still-lifes, portraits, and teaching art classes at Cartmell Studio. His work is displayed at Cartmell Gallery and the Meridian Artist Co-Op.
The Patrons Party is open to Museum members at the Patron level and above. “Current members at a lower level can upgrade their memberships so they can be part of it,” says Terry Heder, the Museum’s Director. “And new members can join even as late as the day of the party itself, and still come.” Museum membership levels begin at Individual ($30 per year), and include Dual/Family ($50), Patrons ($150), Sponsors ($300), Benefactors ($500), Grand Benefactors ($1,000), Silver Circle ($2,500), Gold Circle ($5,000), and Platinum Circle ($10,000). Business memberships are also available, with similar levels.
Heder adds that the Patron’s Party is also a great time for new members to join the Museum. “We’re always recruiting new members, of course, but the Patrons Party is almost a miniature membership drive, because it’s such a great time to join. Not only do new Patron members get the chance to come to our biggest party of the year; they’ll also be ready for the deluge of special programs we have coming up over the summer -- our Summer Youth Art Classes, People’s Choice Art Competition, and Martinis at the Museum (June 13). If you’re not a member yet, this is the time to take the plunge. We’d love for you to become part of the Museum.
For more information about the Patron's Party, Museum membership, or other Museum programs, come by the Museum at 628 25th Avenue (open Tuesday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.), call 601-693-1501, or e-mail MeridianMuseum@aol.com.

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