The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, held its biggest fundraiser of the year on February 18, nearly reaching its record by bringing in more than $225,000.
The weekend kicked off on February 17 with the pre-gala party, “Boots n’ Saddles” event at Savoy Automobile Museum. Artwork created in 90 minutes or less by quick draw artists Dawn Whitelaw, Lori Putnam, Amanda Lovett, Thomas Caleb Goggans and David Boyd Jr. was auctioned off while still wet, garnering nearly $5,000 for the Booth.
Boots n’ Saddles chairs, Ray and Palma Rhoades.
John and Terri Kelly Moyers were honored the following evening at the For the Love of Art Gala & Art Auction with the Booth’s annual Artist of Excellence Award, joining the ranks of past winners that include Martin Grelle, John Coleman, Howard Terpning, Glenna Goodacre and others.
“We are honored to have received the Artist of Excellence Award at the Booth Museum’s For the Love of Art Gala,” share the Moyers. “We value this award and are humbled by the distinction. We truly appreciate the hard work of the staff as well as the generosity of the Point Riders, patrons and sponsors. Our heartfelt gratitude and thanks.”
Honored artists John and Terri Moyers with executive director Seth Hopkins, in front of a painting of John’s.
Out of the 73 donated lots auctioned off over the course of the weekend, 58 sold, many going to new or first time buyers. Top selling lots included paintings by event honorees John and Terri Kelly Moyers, along with works by Deborah Copenhaver Fellows, Thomas Arvid and Doug Smith.
Joe Wiegand as Teddy Roosevelt leading the invocation.
Donated artwork not sold may enter the Booth permanent collection, be retained for future fundraising purposes or consigned to the Downtown Gallery, operated by the Booth Museum to showcase the work of its member artists.
Donations to the Hadley, Ansley, Alex and Stephen (HAAS) Fund, created by museum executive director Seth Hopkins and his wife Joyce Hopkins and named in honor of their four children, totaled nearly $40,000. The HAAS Educational Access Fund provides critical funding for public school groups in Georgia to experience educational field trips that supports the Georgia Standards of Excellence. It also supports virtual programming and resources including virtual field trips, online resource guides, virtual professional development for teachers and virtual art lessons.
Quick draw artist David Boyd Jr.
Deborah Fellows, The Gentle Nudge, 2022, bronze, 25 x 20 x 9”
All in all, For the Love of Art Gala & Art Auction lived up to its tagline of “the biggest Western art party in the South.”
“The weekend was a great success, with collectors from 18 states and two countries here to help us celebrate the awarding of the Booth Museum Artist of Excellence to John and Terri Kelly Moyers,” says Hopkins, adding that next year’s honoree will be Ed Mell. “The museum raised nearly $250,000 for its educational programs, exhibitions and operations during the weekend. This event has become the largest and most important gathering of Western art fans in the Southeast.” —
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