Albany Museum of Art Annual Celebration Raises Funding That Benefits the Community
Wayne & Alicia Gregory Family Foundation Paddle Raise Generates Critical Funds for Educational Programming
The annual Art Ball at the Albany Museum of Art celebrates art while also raising critical funds for the museum’s education programs that reach all community areas. Much of the support for those programs comes from donations made during the Wayne & Alicia Gregory Family Foundation Paddle Raise at Art Ball.
Visit the AMA Art Ball homepage HERE.
“We at the AMA are deeply committed to making our exhibitions and programs accessible to everyone in the community,” AMA Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D., said. “The support of friends like Wayne and Alicia Gregory leads the charge to ensure our diverse educational programming is strong and available to all our visitors. They are champions of the cause, and we sincerely acknowledge their generous support.”
Art Ball 2025: Fête Nocturne will be an evening of fine dining, dancing, cocktails, and auctions on Saturday, March 22, at the museum at 311 Meadowlark Drive. Following the live and silent auctions, an Art Ball tradition is the Wayne & Alicia Gregory Family Foundation Paddle Raise. During the paddle raise, attendees lift their auction paddles not to bid on fantastic trips, experiences, and objects, but to donate directly to educational programming at the AMA.
“We enthusiastically support The Albany Museum of Art’s deep commitment to community engagement, particularly its efforts to uplift the arts among students and foster collaboration between artists and students,” said Alicia Gregory, president of the Wayne and Alicia Gregory Foundation. “We believe in the power of art and culture to build community, strengthen local economies, and create meaningful shared experiences, and are delighted to once again support the museum’s annual Paddle Raise and Art Ball, providing opportunities for others to join us in this mission.”
The paddles used in donating and bidding on auction items are sponsored by the Gregorys’ longstanding Albany businesses—BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars Mercedes-Benz.
“BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars Mercedes-Benz is proud to support the Albany Museum of Art,” General Manager Shane McKenzie said. “The museum is an important cultural hub in our city. Much like the luxury automobiles we deliver, the museum showcases innovation, craftsmanship, and elements of artistic design.
“As an automotive professional with over 20 years of experience, I can tell you that I was deeply moved when I discovered how philanthropic the Gregorys are and how their generosity has made such a lasting impact in the community. I take great pride in working for the Gregorys because of what they give back to the communities they serve. They believe that by sponsoring the museum, they can create opportunities for local families to enjoy unique experiences together.
“We have a strong desire to do more than just offer exceptional automobiles,” McKenzie said. “We want to help enrich the lives of our customers and our community. We are proud of the fact that we can help make art accessible to everyone in our community, especially through programs that introduce art into the lives of young people and families that may not always have the opportunity to experience it.”
The funds raised enable the AMA to continue to provide high-quality, art-inspired educational opportunities to children and students. The donations help provide free field trips, which include gallery tours and take-home art projects, to students and organizations. They also provide scholarships for the AMA’s popular summer, winter, and spring art camps; give students opportunities to meet and interact with visiting artists, and underwrite other important educational programming.
“Wayne and Alicia Gregory are community-minded leaders who take to heart the positive impact that art has on our city and region,” Director of Development Chloe Hinton. “We are thrilled to have their support, which helps the museum reach out to a wider breadth of children, youth, and young adults who benefit academically and developmentally from exposure to new, exciting perspectives and ideas. The support of the Gregory family and our other wonderful Art Ball sponsors allows us to reach more people and to prove the quality of life in our area.”
SafeAire Heating & Cooling is the bar sponsor for Art Ball. Upland Wealth Advisors is the champagne sponsor. Corporate sponsors are WALB, Flint Community Bank, Hays LTI, and Phoebe.
With free admission, the museum works to break down the economic barriers that can prevent parts of the community from being exposed to world-class art.
“Art has the power to transform lives—but we can’t do it without financial support that helps tear down the barriers that prevent local students from accessing the arts,” Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said. “When a person or business supports the AMA’s educational programming, they are giving more than just access to a class, camp, or workshop. They are opening the door to life-changing experiences. Art nurtures emotional well-being, sparks creativity, and strengthens self-worth. It shapes futures, inspires career paths, and builds social connections that last a lifetime.
“Access to the arts empowers young artists to find their voice, explore new ideas, and connect with a supportive community. Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art.”
Art Ball will get underway at 6:30 pm Saturday with a cocktail hour and the opening of the silent auction, followed by a delicious gourmet meal by Canterbury Catering. A brief program featuring remarks by Art Ball Co-Chairs Kelly and Matt Lane will precede the live auction and paddle raise. The remainder of the evening will be dancing to the music of one of Georgia’s premier party bands—The Grapevine Band from Macon.
AMA EXHIBITIONS
- Michael Jones: Polyphonic is Jan 23-April 26, 2025, in the Haley Gallery.
- Idea Machines, Conceptual Art from the Permanent Collection, is Jan 23-April 26, 2025, in the East Gallery.
- Home, Selections from the Permanent Collection is Jan 23-April 26, 2025, in the McCormack Gallery.
- Know, Learn, Wonder, Highlights from the Sub-Saharan African Collection is Jan 23-April 26, 2025, in the Hodges Gallery.
- 20th Century Small Works on Paper from the Permanent Collection is Jan 30-March 22, 2025 in the West Gallery.
ABOUT THE ALBANY MUSEUM OF ART
The Albany Museum of Art is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive in Albany, Ga., adjacent to Albany State University West Campus just off Gillionville Road. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Albany Museum of Art is open to the public 10 am-5 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free.
For more information about the AMA please visit our website, www.albanymuseum.com, or call 229.439.8400. Be sure to follow AlbanyMuseumOfArt on Facebook and AlbanyMuseum on Instagram.
