Woodruff Arts Center surpasses transformation campaign goal

The Woodruff Arts Center’s Transformation Campaign has finished with a flourish, surpassing its original $100 million goal by $10 million. The Woodruff is home to The Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art.

The Coca-Cola Company made a multi-million dollar donation to support the renovation of The Alliance Theatre, one of the primary goals of the campaign. In recognition, the Alliance’s main stage will be named The Coca-Cola Stage at The Alliance Theatre when the renovated theater opens in the fall of 2018.

The City of Atlanta made a $1 million contribution, as well as the Delta Air Lines Foundation pledging $2.5 million to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Musicians’ Endowment Fund to help the orchestra reach a $25 million goal to permanently endow 11 musician positions.

The Woodruff campaign focused on three areas: endowment funding, capital improvements – primarily for the Alliance Theatre renovation – and funding for expanded family-oriented programming and greater activation of the Arts Center’s campus.

“The success of our Campaign speaks volumes about the generosity of our donors and the importance of the arts to our community,” said Doug Hertz, chairman of the Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees. “On behalf of everyone who worked on this campaign, I want to say ‘Thank You’ to our donors for everything they have done.” Anne Cox Chambers served as honorary chair of the Transformation Campaign and Mr. Hertz as the Campaign chair.

Leading donors (over $1 million) included the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, Anne Cox Chambers, the James M. Cox Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, the Kendeda Fund, the Zeist Foundation, the UPS Foundation, the Abraham J. and Phyllis Katz Foundation, The Marcus Foundation, the City of Atlanta, Connie and Merrell Calhoun, Sally and Carl Gable, Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Joy and Tony Greene, Lila and Doug Hertz, Sarah and Jim Kennedy, Lucy and Gary Lee, Marianna and Solon Patterson, Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, Carla and Leonard Wood and the estate of Betty Holland.

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Visual Arts

Maybe I Can Paint Over That: Visit Sandler Hudson Gallery to see this exhibit of works focusing on the art of communication by Memphis sculptor Greely Myatt. Closes Dec. 10. Admission is free. sandlerhudson.com

Our Sister’s Keeper: Photography by Marie Plakos: These photographs show the strength and beauty of women around the world in support of The Carter Center’s Forum on Women. Closes Dec. 13. Free to $8. jimmycarterlibrary.gov

Christmas at Callanwolde Light Show: Bring the whole family to experience the magic of the Callanwolde historic estate as an interactive outdoor light show. Closes Dec. 29. $20. callanwolde.org

Little Things Mean A Lot: The Swan Coach House Gallery’s annual exhibit features hundreds of small, collectible works by a wide range of emerging and established artists from the community. Closes Dec. 30. Admission is free. swancoachhouse.com

Atlanta in 50 Objects: This exhibit is filled with prized Atlanta-rooted treasures from Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech manuscript to Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck. Closes Dec.

31. Free to $16.50. atlantahistorycenter.com

A Lens on CDC: Photographs of Jim Gathany: Jim Gathany’s photographs document insects, parasites and other vectors taken during his time following the CDC. Monday through Friday. Free. cdc.gov/museum

Dard Hunter: A Life in Paper: This exhibit at the Robert C. Williams Paper Museum features artifacts gathered on Dard Hunter’s travels, providing insight into the history of hand papermaking. Monday through Friday. $2 to $3 donation requested. paper.gatech.edu

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights: Celebrate the holidays with this contemporary light show that turns the Atlanta Botanical Gardens into a wonderland featuring giant stars, towering candles and a tunnel of light. Daily. $17 to $36. atlantabg.org

Law and Grace: Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach and the Promise of Salvation: Visit Emory’s Candler School of Theology’s Pitts Theology Library to see this exhibit about Lucas Cranach’s 1536 painting that illustrates Luther’s reform. Daily. Free. arts.emory.edu

Winter Wonderland: See trees and other displays that recognize Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols. Daily. Free to $18. fernbankmuseum.org

Performing Arts

Big Fish: Inspired by the novel and hit Tim Burton film, “Big Fish” spotlights Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman whose biggest hope is to live life to its fullest. Dec. 1 through 18. $20 to $50. theatricaloutfit.org

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Holiday Tradition at The Shakespeare Tavern, this classic transports you to Scrooge’s London counting house as he meets three ghosts and a little boy named Tiny Tim. Dec. 1 through 23. shakespearetavern.com

Mr. Popper’s Penguins: Mr. Popper, a humble house painter, gets a cool surprise when Antarctic explorer Admiral Drake ships him a penguin in this musical for all ages. Opens Dec. 9. $15 to $22. synchrotheatre.com

Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir: All five levels of boys and a full orchestra perform and lead the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” audience sing-along. Dec. 16 and 17. $12 to $40. georgiaboychoir.org

Courtenay’s Cabaret: Home for the Holidays: Atlanta favorite Courtenay Collins brings her popular holiday cabaret show to the Hertz Stage for an exclusive engagement. Dec. 2 to 24. $20 to $42. alliancetheatre.org

Madeline’s Christmas: Horizon Theatre’s production, based on the popular children’s book, follows Madeline and friends as they figure out a way to make it home for Christmas after they’ve come down with the flu. Dec. 3 through 31. $12 to $15. horizontheatre.com

Krampus Xmas: One part naughty list nightmare and one part Japanese horror flick, this year’s “Krampus Xmas” at 7 Stages is unlike any other. Dec. 8 through 10. $22.50. 7stages.org

Urban Nutcracker Wonderland Act II: Ballethnic Dance Company’s rendition of the holiday classic story performed takes place in the 1940s on Atlanta’s own Sweet Auburn Avenue. Dec. 17 and 18. $15 to $20. ballethnic.org

Baroque Candlelight Christmas: New Trinity Baroque’s annual Christmas concert at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church features holiday-themed baroque concertos in a candlelight setting. Dec. 18. $9 to $49. newtrinitybaroque.org

Invasion: Christmas Carol: Visited by a different character every evening (that is a complete surprise to the cast), audiences can see Scrooge’s story unfold in a new way as Dad’s Garage skewers the quintessential Christmas play. Closes Dec. 23. $15 to $35. dadsgarage.com

Dancing With The Stars: Live!: This allnew production showcases ballroom and modern dance seen on ABC’s hit show, including group performances and original pieces created for the tour. Dec. 31. $59.50 to $125. foxtheatre.org

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One of the real joys this Holiday Season is the opportunity to say “Thank You!” for your unwavering support over the past 43 years! Best wishes for good health and happiness this coming New Year!

- Scott Askew

Help us bring the joy of the Holiday Season and the hope of a better future to the nation’s less fortunate children by making a toy donation for Toys for Tots. Deadline:

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