The museum’s fundraiser gala returns on October 5

Fernbank Museum will once again host its annual black-tie gala, A Timeless Affair, on Saturday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. This special evening of fun and fundraising will highlight Fernbank’s fascinating new Armored Animals exhibit and raise money to support the museum’s ongoing work. All proceeds from the event will help fund the world-class exhibitions, impressive giant-screen movies, family activities and immersive nature programs for which Fernbank is known.

This year’s Timeless Affair will feature a lovely sunset cocktail hour on Dinosaur Plaza, followed by a seated dinner among the dinosaurs in the Great Hall. Live music and dancing, a private viewing of Armored Animals and a silent auction will round out the evening. Guests will have the chance to bid on a showcase of exclusive items generously donated by local businesses and supporters.

There will also be a paddle raise to support Fernbank’s Museum Access scholarship initiative. More than 50,000 students throughout the state visit Fernbank on a school field trip each year — made possible, in part, by the success of A Timeless Affair.

“The annual gala plays an important role each year as it helps fund programming for Fernbank, allowing the museum to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of human history and the planet’s rich biodiversity,” said Jennifer Grant Warner, president and CEO of Fernbank. “The funds from this event help bring innovative exhibits, dynamic programs, captivating films and essential school programs to our community.”

Event organizers and sponsors

The honorary chair of this year’s fundraiser is philanthropist Margaret Hodgson Ellis Langford, whose dedication to Fernbank continues her family’s environmental legacy. Langford’s mother grew up in a house located in Fernbank Forest, which the Hodgson family, alongside Atlanta civic leaders, had the remarkable foresight to preserve as “a school in the woods for nature studies.” Established as a non-profit in 1939 — making it one of the oldest conservation-focused nonprofits in the United States – Fernbank has continued to preserve and restore the 65 acres of old-growth forest as part of its ongoing mission.

Event chairs, Robin and Neale Fisher, Stewart and Crawford Jones and Mary Clancy and Kevin Peak generously support Fernbank’s mission to ignite a passion for science, nature and human culture through exploration and discovery.

The planning committee for A Timeless Affair includes corporate chair, Wab Kadaba, as well as patron chairs, Stacy and Sachin Shailendra. The event’s scholarship chairs, Elizabeth and Shane Hornbuckle and Cherie and Ed Van Winkle, along with auction chairs, Abby England, Jean Harvey Johnson and Juan Johnson and Holly and Townsend Young are also recognized — and appreciated — by the museum.

A Timeless Affair 2024 is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Georgia Natural Gas and Romanoff Renovations. The patron party hosts are Susannah Frost and Jeff Yost. And the advisory chairs are Michelle Davis and Honorable Walter W. Davis and Drs. Kalinda and Kevin E. Woods.

The details

The fundraiser takes place on Saturday, October 5, starting at 7:00 p.m. and promises to be an enchanting night of glamour, connection and generosity. Fernbank’s fall exhibit, Armored Animals, opens the same day and will run through January 8, 2025.

For more information on A Timeless Affair, including how to purchase tickets or make an online donation, visit fernbankmuseum.org/atimelessaffair.

Fernbank Museum is embracing a new golden opportunity starting in late August with the opening of Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration, a special artistic exhibit showcasing the science of the color yellow — how it occurs naturally in plants, how pollinators see yellow and how the color is used as a pigment — through a collection of art pieces and other objects.

Created by the Denver Botanic Gardens’ School of Botanical Art & Illustration, Golden Opportunity includes 15 botanical art works of yellow plants that were created with colored pencils, watercolors, graphite, ink and mixed media, including the daffodil, Buddha’s hand, sunflower, pansy and more.

Art and nature

“Art and nature are natural companions,” said Jen Tobias, associate director of exhibitions & art collections; curator of art, Denver Botanic Gardens. “We love talking about nature as both material for artists and aesthetic inspiration, and we thought that color would be a fun way to explore the relationship between those two ideas. Showcasing the different ways that plants, natural dyes, and colors are interconnected is also such an interesting way to think about all the different ways the natural world influences our daily life.”

Along with the artwork on display, visitors also have the opportunity to learn how different yellow-based pigments, made from plants such as turmeric, saffron, Dyer’s rocket and marigold, are used in textiles. Guests can admire the natural wonder that goes into creating and coloring everyday objects and appreciate the science and artistic inspiration that comes from botanical sources.

Additionally, visitors will learn more about the daffodil (which has an estimated 18,000 different variations); play a game with flip panels to match dye colors to the plant or animal it comes from; watch a short video explaining how certain insects see the color yellow and how flower color helps aid in the pollination of plants; and view bowls of dye powder that have surprising appearances and origins — such as henna or powder made from cochineal bugs.

Sponsored locally in part by the Francis Wood Wilson Foundation, “Golden Opportunity” is presented in both English and Spanish and will run from August 31, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

For more information about Fernbank or to purchase tickets, visit fernbankmuseum.org.

Next month’s calendar is brimming with exciting events. From meeting Animal Control Officers to snapping photos and participating in a glow run, there’s something for everyone. Keep reading to discover all the fun happening in August.

1. Paws in the Park
Saturdays, August 3 and 10. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Simpsonwood Park
411 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners
gwinnettcounty.com, 770-822-5450
Admission: free

Meet with knowledgeable Animal Control Officers and get useful pet ownership tips and tricks. All ages are welcome.

2. Trains, Trucks & Tractors
Friday-Saturday, August 3-4. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Southeastern Railway Museum
3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth
train-museum.org, 770-476-2013
Admission: Adults, $18; students and seniors, $15; children 2-12, $12.

Trains, Trucks & Tractors, sponsored by Suzanna’s Kitchen of Duluth, is a benefit weekend cruise-in show for the really big toys. There will be antique to modified pickups, semi-tractor/trailer rigs, corporate rigs, delivery vans of all ages, new and antique farm implements and trains. Catering provided by Cassie’s Kitchen.

3. The Paris Dancers: Senior Moments
Sunday, August 4. 7 p.m.
Lionheart Theatre Company
10 College St., Norcross
lionhearttheatre.org, 404-919-4022
Tickets: $15

The Paris Dancers and 2nd Act Performing Company return for an evening of dance and senior moments.

4. Peachtree Corners Photography Club Group Meet Up
Thursdays, August 8 and September 12. 6:45-8:15 p.m.
Atlanta Tech Park
107 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners
pcphotoclub.org
Admission: free

Photographers of all skill levels are welcomed; come early at 6:15 p.m. for social time.

5. Community Connection Day
Saturday, August 10. 12-4 p.m.
The Father’s House Church front lawn 
6060 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners
thefathershouseatl.org

Bring the family and enjoy free food, drink and giveaways, including back-to-school items, from local and national non-profit connections. Free health/wellness resources and information will also be available.  

Email ask@thefathershouseatl.org for more information.  

6. Light Up the Corners
Saturday, August 10. 7-10:30 p.m.
The Forum
5185 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners
theforumonpeachtree.com
Registration cost: $35, plus $3.10 sign-up fee, until July 10, when the cost jumps to $40.

Be part of the annual glow run and help light up a life. There’s a 4 Mile Glow Run and 1K Twilight Trot to choose from, as well as a Virtual Runner option for non-running supporters. Proceeds benefit at-risk children and families in the community who are struggling by giving them the opportunity to participate in programs and activities at the Fowler YMCA. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/Events/GA/PeachtreeCorners/runthecorners.

7. PCBA Tailgates & Touchdowns Annual Charity Party
Thursday, August 22. 5:30-8 p.m.
Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners
475 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners
Registration: $65. 

The annual charity party will raise money for three outstanding local organizations: Spectrum Autism Support Group, Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer and Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries. The celebration includes networking, live auction, silent auction, music, vendor tables and tailgating cuisine. Check online for details, including sponsorship opportunities.

8. Chaos Theory Improv
Saturday, August 24. 7:30 p.m.
Lionheart Theatre Company
10 College St., Norcross
lionhearttheatre.org, 404-919-4022
Tickets: $12

Chaos Theory takes the stage for a hilarious night of improv. This show is recommended for ages 16 and older.