BEHIND THE SCENES: High Museum Director Michael Shapiro gives Brenau University students and faculty an unprecedented "backstage" tour of planning that was underway for the upcoming Salvador Dali exhibit at the High. The museum and university have announced the first collaboration between the two units. From left are Scott Briell, Brenau senior vice president for enrollment and student services; Brenau art student Kelly Sullivan; Brenau President Ed Schrader; art student Julia Martin; Shapiro; art student Allison Murphy; and Vanessa Grubbs, director of Brenau University Galleries. See Today's Focus below.

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TODAY'S FOCUS
High Museum, Brenau University begin three-year collaboration
By DAVID MORRISON
Special to GwinnettForum.com

ATLANTA, Ga., Aug. 17, 2010 - - The High Museum of Art and Brenau University in Gainesville, have officially begun a three-year collaboration - the first of its kind for both institutions.

The affiliation will allow for the sharing of resources to further the integration of the arts into Brenau's educational curriculum. During this pilot initiative, Brenau will have the opportunity to draw on the High's exhibitions, collections, programs and staff expertise. .

Michael Shapiro, director of the High Museum of Art, says: "This affiliation between the High and Brenau University will build upon our mutual commitment to the study of works of art and the integration of the arts into education. Just as we've experienced great success in our partnerships with fellow museums, we are delighted to expand our affiliations to include educational institutions. We look forward to developing deeper relationships with the educational community to engage a wider audience with great art and programming."

Brenau University president Ed Schrader says: "Brenau University is fortunate in becoming the first academic partner of the High and to be a collaborator with one of the most prestigious museums and presenters of important art in the world. Brenau focuses on the presentation of art as an experience for its students and the community, and this relationship will help us fulfill our goal to do that better and more completely than anybody else."

During this affiliation, Brenau students and faculty will receive free or discounted access to the High's exhibitions and collections. Brenau students will also have the opportunity to participate in internships, attend lectures and experience behind-the-scenes programs at the High.

Faculty members will receive annual updates on the High's long-term plans for exhibitions and programs. These communications will allow university and museum colleagues to share ideas and explore ways to integrate resources from relevant exhibitions into the curriculum.

Brenau University, which comprises the Women's College, which traces its roots to 1878, and coeducational graduate and undergraduate programs online and in several Georgia locations - Gainesville, Augusta, Kings Bay and the Atlanta metro area in Norcross and Fairburn.

The private, liberal arts institution's curriculum blends professional preparation with a broader learning experience that emphasizes appreciation and practice of the arts, global awareness, communications and language skills, and scientific and social curiosity. The university holds an impressive collections of 19th- and 20th century fine arts, including paintings, sculpture and photography, of any university of its size, an achievement attributable in part to service on the Brenau Board of Trustees by famed New York art gallerist Leo Castelli.

Brenau's 2010 ranking as one of the top 10 best higher education values in the Southeast by U.S. News & World Report marks the university's fifth consecutive year in that position for the magazine's "America's Best Colleges" guidebook. Brenau University also has been cited as one of the best colleges and universities to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education. For more information about Brenau University, visit www.brenau.edu.

The High Museum of Art, founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association, is the leading art museum in the southeastern United States. With more than 12,000 works of art in its permanent collection, the High Museum of Art has an extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century American and decorative art; significant holdings of European paintings; a growing collection of African American art; and burgeoning collections of modern and contemporary art, photography and African art.

EEB PERSPECTIVE
Direction our society is going can bother a person
By ELLIOTT BRACK
Editor and publisher

AUG. 17, 2010 -- Does the direction our society is headed bother you?

Brack

No, not so much the political direction as the social direction! While we'll admit up front that no country is perfect and pure, we feel that the United States of the last 50-100 years was a more reasonable and uplifting society than the direction it is taking today.

Many reasons abound for this turn to the more harsh nature of society. Some blame the fast pace of life, communicated so quickly these days. Others maintain life started to be more complicated when two adults in a household began holding jobs, with less time for mothers with their children. Others point to the high rate of fathers not in the homes, and the growing promiscuity in society.

Let's take a look at some of the baser aspects of our society today:

Coarseness of society: You see this everywhere, no longer a society with reasonable decorum, but one where people seek to expand on the shock value in so many ways: language, dress, personal relationships, habits, and yes, addictions. Obviously, none of these are tasteful elements that make us proud.

Rudeness: Good manners are out the window, possibly forever. Decent consideration of others is often unknown. This takes forms such as in conversation, and in interruption during conversations, pushing and shoving in crowds, talking too loud, and yes, incessant loud carrying on of cell telephone conservations in public places to the annoyance of all. No doubt you can think of more.

Violence and barbarous aggressiveness: We see it in everyday muggings, robbery, home invasions, smashing of store windows and incidental criminal diversions in public. Young thugs act as hardened criminals with no regard for the individual, whether man, woman or child. You wonder if all these video games, where wanton destruction and rampage takes place, have produced a society where such violence is almost incidental.

* * * * *

What's missing in society these days? Some simple activities. Among them:

Ordinary civility: Perhaps we'll never get back to the simple times of bygone days, but if we do, it will be because people took the time to be civil and courteous, to be kind to one another. It means holding the door open for someone, or actually listening to what others say, and to give others your attention in a deliberate manner. We may have descended too much; it may not be possible.

Cheerfulness and good humor: These two attributes are the result, we think, of being brought up right. A smiling, happy childhood will result in a better adult, we maintain. We're not talking of comedic humor. We're talking about a good outlook on life, with rampant outgoing cheerfulness. That's an important quality in the development of a solid, mature person.

Courage: It takes a strong individual to stand up for what's right, no matter if on the sandlot field, or in the corporate world. We see this all too seldom, as people "don't get involved" when often they ought to be pointing out truths! Those who speak up rise to the challenge to benefit overall society.

Essential elegance and grace: Even the roughest outdoorsman can have it. This bypasses many who never realize what they miss. But for the strongest of the society, they have it, and give the rest of us encouragement with its presence.

* * * * *

Solutions? Few. Good character must be instilled early in life. Sorry to say, we may have gone down too far in society. We hate to say that, but must be realistic.

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FEEDBACK
Oh, the foibles of human nature seen by Faulkner, in Georgia

Editor, the Forum:

I love to read William Faulkner's books in the summer because he seems to understand what the heat does to people.

South

I just finished reading As I Lay Dying, a book that was published in 1930. The saga takes place in the heat of July, as a worn out farm wife dies and her useless and luckless husband decides to honor to her wish to be buried with her family in the town of Jefferson, at least one day away by wagon. When heavy rain washes out the bridges, the journey by mule-drawn wagon turns into a long hot struggle to take her body (in a hand-hewn coffin) to her family plot. The Bundren family sticks to their plan no matter what the consequences, and there are many: buzzards, bridges, hunger, and injuries, both physical and emotional.

Oddly enough, as a judge of the State Court of Gwinnett County, I often peruse the new decisions handed down by our appellate courts, and I happened upon a case that seemed to parallel the Bundren's family plight. In the case of Cowart vs. Widener, a Supreme Court of Georgia case handed down on July 12, 2010, a truck driver, Nathan Widener, decided to take his brother-in-law, Roby Cowart, who had fallen on hard times, on a long haul from Augusta, Ga. to Ohio. Cowart had been living out of his car and had serious health problems.

On the second day of the trip, near the Kentucky-Tennessee border, Cowart expressed that he was spitting up blood and needed to lie down in the sleeper compartment of the truck. Hours later, Widener smelled a foul odor from the sleeper compartment and stopped at a truck stop and called his wife, a nurse. She gave Widener instructions to go into the sleeper and check her brother's pulse. Widener did so, and discovered that Cowart had died (later expert testimony determined that diarrhea had resulted from substantial internal bleeding caused by erosive esophagitis.)

Nevertheless, Widener returned to the driver's seat and continued to Ohio. Around 11 hours later, Widener pulled into a rest stop and backed into another truck, causing minor damage. Upon investigating the accident, a highway patrol officer discovered Cowart's already cold body in the sleeper compartment. Widener later explained that he was concerned about how his brother-in-law's body would get back to Georgia if he did not bring it with him in the truck when he returned home!

The lawsuit and its ultimate dismissal runs for several pages, but for me, the point was that Faulkner's imagination was deeply rooted in the foibles of human nature, always a timely subject.

-- Pam South, Norcross

No need for Ringing Brothers as long as legislature is around

Editor, the Forum:

I liked your piece on the Legislature's influence on the selection of the gubernatorial candidates. I think it is sad that they wield such influence, as I have but little respect for the Georgia Legislature. In my humble opinion, they've passed exactly two pieces of constructive legislation in my lifetime, as far as I can see, and they have repealed one of those and the other is not enforced.

Two thoughts I leave with you, the first from a Pennsylvania resident (but highly applicable to the Georgia Legislature) and a second from a local resident to the AJC a number of years ago.

1. "No man's life, liberty or property is safe as long as the legislature is in session."

2. "It is a total redundancy to bring Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey to town while the legislature is in session."

-- Robert H. Hanson, Loganville

Rant: Teenagers texting all the time affects thinking skills

Editor, the Forum:

I have been reading about how technology affects our lives. I must confess, I love technology and the computer. The cell phone - give or take it. But I enjoy being able to keep in close touch with family.

Queen

Maybe our way of life --- fast paced and everything urgent --- is dumbing-down our young. It appears I am not the only one thinking similar thoughts. Below is an article that I just read in a recent New York Times.

I don't know if you have spent much time around teenagers or young adults but they are enthralled with "texting." Two of my grandkids, 17 and 19, live with texting phones in their hands. One Is/Was capable of deeper thoughts but now spends so much time "texting" it affects her social skills (showing less attention to who is in her presence). I am beginning to think it is also affecting her overall thinking skills. She has always been somewhat of a procrastinator and now seems to be getting worse.

Thumbing trivial information, 25/8 (they are stretching time), just gets everyone else to know trivial information. Turn off the D&*$ text generator and talk to me. My rant for today.

-- Jerry Queen, LaFayette, La.

• Send us your thoughts. We encourage readers to submit feedback or letters to the editor. Send your thoughts to editor at elliott@brack.net. We will edit for length and clarity. Make sure to include your name and city where you live. Submission of a comment grants permission to us to reprint. Please keep your comment to 200 words or less. However, if you write 500 words, we'll consider it for Today's Focus.

UPCOMING
Duluth Touchdown Club to sponsor football fundraiser Sept. 11

The Duluth Touchdown Club is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Duluth football team in the Duluth High School Cafeteria on Saturday, September 11, starting at 9 a.m. Registration for the tournament will be held at the Clear Store at 2860 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. on Saturday, August 21 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Registration is $10 before September 11 or $20 at the door on September 11. Grand Prize is the new X-Box 360 Slim. This tournament is sponsored by Best Buy and Clear. Contact Peter or Avery at 678-894-0527, ext. 150; or Cathy at 770-363-8831 for sign up information.

Remodelers plan third Business Forum in Duluth Aug. 26

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry will present its third annual remodeling business forum August 26 at The Westye Group in Duluth. The event will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with a reception following the presentations.

The theme will be "Renovate Your Business: Emerging Business Practices for the New Marketplace." A forum for individuals providing home remodeling services.

Speakers include Victoria Downing, president of Remodeler Advantage Inc., and David Conklin, founder of ProspectMX, an internet marketing agency along with NARI Atlanta members. The event is sponsored by Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., Builder Specialties and Carolina Lumber and Supply Company. Participants may register online at www.acteva.com/go/NARIatlanta or call 770/516 2091.

NOTABLE
Ga. Association of School Nurses recognizes Snellville resident

The Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN) has announced the three winners of its first annual School Health Hero Awards, including a Snellville resident.

Teahan at State Capitol

She is Cathalene Teahan, a registered nurse and consultant who lobbies the Georgia state legislature on public health issues.

As Georgia school nurse programs faced a complete loss of state funding last spring, Cathalene Teahan got the word out to Georgia citizens and elected officials about the key role school nurses play in their children's health, wellness and academic achievement. She also assisted discussions to engage state legislators to recognize school health as a core and essential program in the schools. Those efforts led to state funding being preserved in a year when Georgia faced serious budget challenges.

Other recognized include Atlanta resident Dr. Garry McGiboney, associate superintendent for innovative instruction and H1N1 liaison for the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE); and Brunswick resident Marsha Pierce, H1N1 Georgia school nurse liaison for the Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health.

RECOMMENDED
Read any good books lately?

• An invitation: What Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb

GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
"Redemption" marks end of 18 years of Bourbon Democrats

"Redemption" truly began in Georgia with the state elections held in December 1870. By then the state Republican Party suffered from internal divisions and from charges of wastefulness and corruption, which, while greatly exaggerated by Democratic politicians and newspapers, nevertheless bore some truth. Democrats won control of both houses of the state legislature, and in late October 1871, just before the newly elected legislators took office, Governor Bullock resigned and fled the state. Republican Benjamin Conley, president of the state senate, succeeded Bullock, but the new legislature passed a law (overriding Conley's veto) that a special election be held in December 1871 to choose a new governor. Republicans boycotted the election and did not put forth a candidate. Democrat James M. Smith won the no-contest special election, and he went on to win the March 1872 general election in a landslide victory over Republican Dawson Walker.

The Democrats' "redemption" of Georgia marked the end of Reconstruction in the state and the beginning of Georgia's long reign as one of the most Democratic states of the "Solid South." Redemption also marked the beginning of 18 years of political dominance by the state's so-called Bourbon Democrats and the Bourbon Triumvirate of Joseph E. Brown, Alfred H. Colquitt, and John B. Gordon. During this period the state government promoted the interests of planters and businessmen over those of small farmers and laborers, including sharecroppers, while doing virtually nothing to protect the interests of black citizens. The resulting widespread dissatisfaction on the part of small farmers and laborers of both races would lead to the first serious challenge to Democratic rule in post-Reconstruction Georgia: the Populist revolt of the 1890s.

• Click here to access the Georgia Encyclopedia

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TODAY'S QUOTE
American Indian proverb has
profound truths

"Only when the last tree has been cut down; Only when the last river has been poisoned; Only when the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."

-- Proverb, American Indian

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