Ballinger Fete
Friends and art supporters
gathered Friday evening,
March 13, to honor
James Ballinger in recognition
of his retirement from a
40-year career at
Phoenix Art Museum.
About 325 guests attended the celebration for the Sybil Harrington Director, now Emeritus, which included live performances and activities throughout the galleries as well as a program that highlighted the museum’s achievements under his tenure, first as the curator of collections and since 1982 as the museum director.
On hand was former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, who was in office in 2006 Phoenix Art Museum celebrated the completion and grand opening of a $41.2 million expansion that included the Ellen & Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art, Greenbaum Lobby, Dorrance Sculpture Garden and Wilde Family Entry Plaza as well as other improvements. Funds for the expansion came from a successful $40 million endowment and building campaign completed in 1994.
In addition to former board chairman William Way and former Gov. Janet Napolitano, Rocco Landesman spoke at the event. Landesman is a long-time Broadway theatre producer and served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from August 2009 to December 2012.
Proceeds from the evening event will support museum programs and The James K. Ballinger American Art and Education Fund.
(left) Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from August 2009 to December 2012
array(right) William Way, board member and former board chairman, Phoenix Art Museum
(left) Lila Harnett, Phoenix Art Museum honorary trustee; Bobbie Aidem; Linda Ballinger; and Gretchen Cherrill
array(right) Phoenix Boys Choir
(left) Chevy Humphrey, president and CEO, The Arizona Science Center
array(right) Erin Gogolak, Phoenix Art Museum board member; John Gogolak; and Sharron Lewis, Phoenix Art Museum board member
(left) The entertainment
array(right) Drew Brown, Phoenix Art Museum honorary trustee, and Laurie Brown
(left) Judy Mohraz, former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Linda and James Ballinger
array(right) Lila Harnet, Phoenix Art Museum honorary trustee, Mary Way and Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from August 2009 to December 2012
Rose Papp, Phoenix Art Museum board member; James Ballinger; and Harry Papp
