Collectors Circle member Margaret Samples, left, with the evening’s hostess, Joan Ashe.
Well, the season has officially started in Knoxville — and I’m not talking about the football season!
I’m talking about the cultural-social season when the Knoxville Symphony, Knoxville Opera, Clarence Brown Theatre, and other artistic staples of our community swing into action with their scheduled slate of activities and programs that make Knoxville such a stimulating and exciting place to live.
The Knoxville Museum of Art, of course, is an important part of this mix. The museum’s Collectors Circle celebrated the new year with a party last week at the lovely Kingston Pike home of Victor and Joan Ashe.
The Collectors Circle is a membership group that provides opportunities for supporters to learn more about the art world, individual artists, and art collectors. The group also provides funds to allow the KMA to purchase works for its permanent collection. Members vote every year — with the help of KMA’s curator, Stephen Wicks — on what works should be purchased. Annual cost to join the group is $500 for a single person and $800 for a couple. (That’s on top of a regular $250 KMA membership.)
What you get for that is a number of fun visits to artists’ studios, galleries, and art collectors’ homes. Sometimes, there are trips, like one currently being planned to Italy.
Anyway, click here to get more information on the Collectors Circle. Meanwhile, let’s have a look at that party!
From left, KMA Executive Director Steven Matijcio, Julie Lohnes, Natalie McLaurin, and KMA Curator Stephen Wicks. Lohnes is director of the Ewing Gallery at UT-Knoxville and McLaurin is exhibitions manager at KMA.
From left, Mike and Jane Fowler, Alan Carmichael, Kay Leibowitz, and the evening’s host, former Knoxville Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe. Leibowitz is co-chair with her husband, Larry, of the Collectors Circle.
From left, Kent Farris, Carole Martin, and retired KMA Executive Director David Butler.
Delores and John Sorey.
From left, Kay Leibowitz, Susan Farris, Larry Leibowitz, and Pandy Anderson.
Jon Agazzi and Sheena McCall.
From left, Leslie Parent, Carole Coode, and Barbara Cook.
Jim Brown and Susan Seymour.
Cathy Hill and Alan Carmichael.
Nancy and Charles Wagner.
Natalie and Jared Dowling are the chairs-elect of the Collectors Circle.
Stephen Wicks and Kay Leibowitz making remarks. He said that the Collectors Circle has funded the purchase of 75 works of art for the KMA over its 30-year history.
From left, Lisa Carroll, Lane Hays, Victor Ashe, Ted Smith, and Stuart Worden.
From left, Kay Leibowitz, Pandy Anderson, and Angela Masini.
Ambassador Ashe requested that we not post photos of his art collection. But I didn’t think he would mind if I showed some of his scores of bulldogs! He collects them (his nickname is Victor “Bulldog” Ashe!) and I am fond of them because I am a graduate of the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!).
I thought this little bunny was adorbs!
He said it was fine to post some of his great photos from his political career. I love looking at them when I am at the Ashes’ home.
Then state Sen. Victor Ashe, second from left, jogs with former President George H.W. Bush at UT’s Tom Black Track in 1980 when Bush made a campaign stop in Knoxville. Months later, Bush would join Ronald Reagan’s ticket as a vice presidential candidate and be elected to that post.
Mayor-elect Victor Ashe, left, in 1987 in the Oval Office when former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, center, introduced him to President Ronald Reagan. Baker was White House Chief of Staff at the time.
President Ronald Reagan, left, and Victor Ashe on the steps of Air Force One in Nashville in 1984 when Ashe was running for U.S. Senate.
From left, former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Joan Plumlee and Victor Ashe in Victor’s backyard in 1983 for a party prior to Joan and Victor’s wedding .
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton at the Knoxville Airport in the late 1990s with Mayor Victor Ashe, his son, J. Victor, and Graham White, at right, when Clinton was in Knoxville for a conference at Alex Haley’s farm.
Aren’t those great?
Cynthia, I am glad that everyone seemed to have a good time, it’s always fun to share our eclectic collections. I like the way you snuck in the “Churchill Bulldogs”!
Joan: It was such a fun evening. Thanks for hosting!
Looks like a lovely evening.
Monique: It was fun and interesting! Thanks for checking in!
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