September E-Newsletter

2014

In This Issue

Bus Trip

Serve

Recent Blog Posts

Endowment Fund

Calendar of Events

Museum Shop

Preschool Palette

Bus Trip
Kennedy Center Bus Trip Sunday, November 16 Enjoy the world premiere of Little Dancer, an original musical inspired by the famous Degas sculpture. The trip includes motor coach transportation, brunch at the Roof Terrace Restaurant, and matinee performance. Members: $200; Non-members: $230 Trip Flyer

Ad
*Have you seen our ad in the September issue of Southern Living?*

Serve
Belmont Staff Serves the Community Over the years Belmont staff have volunteered their time and expertise to numerous community organizations. Some of their current roles include: David Berreth is chair of the Fredericksburg Museums Council Michelle Crow-Dolby serves on the Fredericksburg Arts Commission and as a director on the Fredericksburg Public Relations Society's board. Beate Jensen is on the Garden Advisory Panels for both Stratford Hall and Jefferson's Poplar Forest. She also serves on the Germanna Community College Horticulture Advisory Committee. Dave Ludeker has recently helped remodel homes through a partnership between his church and Habitat for Humanity.

Recent Blog Posts
Let's Face it: Remembering Gari Melchers French vs. American 2014 Wedding Sampler Want to receive our blog posts directly in your inbox? Simply visit Belmont's Blog, scroll down the page until you find the box below on the right-hand side, type in your email address, hit the Follow button, and you're all set! New subscribers will receive a confirmation message in their inbox.

NEW ENDOWMENT FUND ESTABLISHED
Carolyn Engelhardt, UMW Class of 1990, and long-time Belmont supporter, has established a generous permanent endowment fund to benefit Gari Melchers Home and Studio in perpetuity. Her gift is the first permanent endowment to be given since Corinne Melchers' original gift was received in 1955. "I believe that Gari Melchers made significant contributions to the art world and it is important to support Belmont and the Studio for generations to come. This was an amazing gift that Corinne Melchers gave to the Commonwealth" said Engelhardt. The fund will be administered by the UMW Foundation, and annual income from the Carolyn Engelhardt '90 Endowment for Belmont, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, will be used to support a variety of museum operations and programs. In addition, it is hoped that her forward-looking gift will serve as an example and incentive for additional permanent funds to help secure the future of the site and museum. Thank you Carolyn!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Complete registration and event details in our Fall Events Calendar Director's Tour for Members Sunday, September 14, 2 pm Behind-the-scenes tour led by Director David Berreth. Open to Friends of Belmont members and guests. Reservations required, free. Fredericksburg Jazz Collective Sunday, September 28, 2pm The Fredericksburg Jazz Collective will present "The Art of Playing Together" which covers how jazz musicians communicate with each other while improvising, using a live band for concept examples, free. Concert on the Lawn Sunday, October 5th, 5:30pm The University of Mary Washington a capella group, One Note Stand, will perform at our first concert on the lawn. Reservations requested, free. Vines and Vistas Sunday, October 12, 4pm October is Virginia Wine Month. Come to Belmont's premier wine tasting event featuring Horton and Ingleside Vineyards. Sip wine and sample complementary cheese and fruit in the tranquility of the estate garden. $20 for Friends of Belmont, $30 for non-members; reservations requested. Film Screening The Great Confusion: The 1913 Armory Show Sunday, October 26, 2pm Introduction with Q & A afterward by Executive Producer Terri Templeton Thousands of Americans pushed their way through the doors of the 69th Regiment Armory on the east side of New York City while a battle was waging "for or against" Modern Art for the first time. What they saw would annoy and infuriate some...and captivate, delight, and inspire many. Film Excerpt, free.

MUSEUM SHOP

PRESCHOOL PALETTE
Children ages 2-5 with an adult enjoy a story, garden walk, hands-on art project, and a visit to the art gallery or historic house. Classes run from 10-11 am. September Class Dates: Sept 19, 23, 26 $10/child (Members $8) NEW! Register Online Questions? Contact Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.

Michelle Crow-Dolby, Editor

Education and Communications Manager

Past e-newsletter issues can be found on our website.

Receive a printed version of the newsletter and have questions about it or need to update your email address? Please contact Membership and Office Manager Sarah Palenik at 540-654-1842.

Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home and studio of prominent portraitist and American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) from 1916 until his death. The 18th century Georgian mansion, outbuildings, and formal gardens were modified and expanded to serve as an elegant country retreat for the artist and his wife, who had left their longtime European home at the outbreak of WWI. Melchers was one of the most respected artists of his generation. Upon Corinne Melchers' death in 1955, the property and all its contents were deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia, making Belmont one of the most complete and authentic artists' homes in America.

Administered by the University of Mary Washington, the museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a National Historic Landmark, and is included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios consortium.