MUSEUM HONORS
The Craft Leadership Award
Ron’s friend Carroll Heyward introduced
him to the Museum, and by 2002 Ron
became the Treasurer of the Board of
Trustees. He just completed a three-year
stint as President of the Board of Trustees.
Hannah and Ron Rogers don’t just support
the Museum because they love art, but it
helps. What makes their involvement with
the Museum so rewarding?
“We appreciate great art but we aren’t
collectors,” Ron explains. “It’s really a lot
of fun to be a part of an organization
that brings together so many people who
take such an interest in the Museum and
feel such a strong sense of ownership.”
According to Hannah, it’s the people the
Museum attracts. “I’m just thrilled by
watching people interact, and the number
of people that come to the Museum
nowadays,” Hannah says.
The Rogers have helped build that growth
by supporting the Museum in innumerable
ways. “We appreciate great art, and the
arts organizations that are doing good
work need private support,” says Ron.
“The Museum is something we are very
proud of; it makes Columbia a better place
to live. It’s not just about the art – it’s
about quality of life and what makes a city
special.”
Hannah has been a big part of the gala
planning committee. Hannah and Steven
Ford transformed Boyd Plaza into a
Giverny garden for the Soirée du Soleil Gala
in 2009, allowing guests to experience
the sights and sounds of the French
countryside amidst the spectacular garden
created by Hannah and Steven. This
past April, the Red Hot… Cool! Gala was
again the bene?ciary of Hannah’s great
leadership as chair of the sponsorship
committee.
“Hannah and Ron are truly a blessing
to this Museum,” said Karen Brosius,
executive director. “Through their
generous donations, outstanding
leadership, untold hours of volunteer
service, and the abundance of goodwill
they bring to the community, the Rogers
are the epitome of what the Craft
Leadership Award stands for. We are
thrilled to honor them with the 2010
award.”
Hannah grew up on a 280-acre farm in
Ohio and spent her childhood playing
outside and riding horses. “I love being
outside – in my garden, making things
grow,” Hannah says with a smile. Hannah’s
garden is an artistic creation that delights
family and friends, and Ron has become an
accomplished ?y ?sherman since retiring
from the faculty at the University of South
Carolina.
In between gardening and ?shing, the
Rogers are bona ?de world travelers.
“We’ve been to 76 countries so far, and
in the coming months we’ll be visiting
Botswana, Zambia and Indonesia for the
?rst time.”
Developing the next generation of leaders
for the Museum is important to Hannah
and Ron, and they were thrilled to help
the Contemporaries’ Chihuly Chandelier
project come to fruition.
“It was important to us to support the
young people who spearheaded the
effort. It was such a unique project and a
great opportunity to support a group of
outstanding young people, people who are
just as committed to the Museum as we
are. The end result is a beautiful chandelier
and a group of young people who will
be the next generation of leaders for the
Museum.”
2010 John Richard Craft Leadership Award and Celebration
Honoring Hannah and Ron Rogers
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Established in 1996, the John Richard Craft Leadership Award is named in honor of the
Museum’s beloved founding director, Dr. John “Jack” Richard Craft, whose personal
leadership in the early years set the Museum on its course to success. This elegant
dinner celebrates leadership and philanthropy at the Museum. This year guests will
meet artist Lesley Dill, and are among the first to see I Heard a Voice: The Art of Lesley Dill.
This dinner is a benefit to all Taylor Society members and above. For more information,
contact Meagan Warren at 803.343.2210 or [email protected].
columbiamuseum.org
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