by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Arthur and Teresa Milam are excited about this Saturday night.
The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art will honor the Milams during the first Pillars of JMOMA dinner at 6:30 p.m.
The event is an opportunity to salute individuals or corporations who have shown tremendous leadership and support in aiding the growth of the museum.
“(Arthur) has been the long-standing chairman of the board of trustees and has been very instrumental in bringing art from the suburbs to the downtown renaissance,” said Stacy Moseley, president of the Modern Art Council.
Arthur Milam has been chairman of the board for JMOMA for five years.
“The city is thriving. It’s quite amazing for those who know the art world that move in. They are impressed by what they see. The museum is a great contributor to the art scene and the city,” said Milam. “Membership is up, donations are up. It’s a very exciting business to be in.”
The event will feature the Jacksonville debut of the Cirikli birds, 10-foot wooden puppets controlled by stilt walkers.
The walkers, “dressed as articulated birds with feathers,” will mingle with guests during cocktails and after the dinner, said Moseley.
There also will be music by Seresta and dancing.
Tickets for the event range from $1,000 per couple up to $7,500.
The Pillars of JMOMA event also will unveil an endowment fund in the Milams’ name to be part of the larger JMOMA endowment.
“The new stage of downtown has had to raise a lot of funds,” said Moseley. “It was time to turn our attention and focus to the endowment because it is one very important leg of our financial future.”
The ultimate goal is a $3 million endowment.
JMOMA’s exhibitions, programming, and operations are member-supported with assistance from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, member contributions and various foundations and corporate partners.
“There is no single largest supporter of the museum. It is a combination of corporate and private contributions as well as grants,” said Moseley.