THE NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM 2010 GALA
Hellenic Museum gala will have some Byzantine conversation
By Shia Kapos
October 21, 2010, 7:00 AM
The National Hellenic Museum’s gala theme Saturday is “The Newest Thing in Ancient History,” a nod to the museum’s Greektown construction project.
But the newest “thing” might be talk about the Art Institute of Chicago.
Karen Manchester, chair of ancient and Byzantine art at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Christina Nielsen, an assistant curator, are expected to attend. They're hoping to talk up the reinstallation of Greek and Roman artwork at the Michigan Avenue museum and the creation of a new wing for Byzantine art within the museum.
They won't discuss details, but I understand the project is being made possible by a $10-million donation — to be announced in a few weeks — from the Mary and Michael Jaharis Family Foundation. The Jaharises live on the East coast but have Chicago roots: He's a Chicago native, and she’s a graduate of the School of the Art Institute. Mr. Jaharis is a pharmaceutical executive and collector of Greek art.
Ms. Manchester and Ms. Nielsen see the Hellenic Museum gala as a good time to get to know some of Chicago’s most notable Greek business executives, including John Calamos, founder of the eponymous investment firm; Aris Halikias, chairman of Republic Bank, and John Marks, founder and CEO of Mark IV Realty Group.
But won't it be awkward to talk about one museum's new project while attending the fundraiser of another museum?
Not at all, Ms. Nielsen said.
“We have different missions. They are focusing more on an immigrant experience, and ours is on fine art,” she said. “We’re hoping this will help build a bridge between the Art Institute and the Greek community.”
The Hellenic Museum gala will benefit the decade-long effort to build a permanent museum focusing on Greeks and the Greek-American experience. The $15-million project is expected to be completed by November 2011. It’s more than a third of the way done.
The gala at the Hilton Chicago will feature the menu of Purple Pig chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. — another nod to the newest thing.
Hellenic Museum gala will have some Byzantine conversation
By Shia Kapos
October 21, 2010, 7:00 AM
The National Hellenic Museum’s gala theme Saturday is “The Newest Thing in Ancient History,” a nod to the museum’s Greektown construction project.
But the newest “thing” might be talk about the Art Institute of Chicago.
Karen Manchester, chair of ancient and Byzantine art at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Christina Nielsen, an assistant curator, are expected to attend. They're hoping to talk up the reinstallation of Greek and Roman artwork at the Michigan Avenue museum and the creation of a new wing for Byzantine art within the museum.
They won't discuss details, but I understand the project is being made possible by a $10-million donation — to be announced in a few weeks — from the Mary and Michael Jaharis Family Foundation. The Jaharises live on the East coast but have Chicago roots: He's a Chicago native, and she’s a graduate of the School of the Art Institute. Mr. Jaharis is a pharmaceutical executive and collector of Greek art.
Ms. Manchester and Ms. Nielsen see the Hellenic Museum gala as a good time to get to know some of Chicago’s most notable Greek business executives, including John Calamos, founder of the eponymous investment firm; Aris Halikias, chairman of Republic Bank, and John Marks, founder and CEO of Mark IV Realty Group.
But won't it be awkward to talk about one museum's new project while attending the fundraiser of another museum?
Not at all, Ms. Nielsen said.
“We have different missions. They are focusing more on an immigrant experience, and ours is on fine art,” she said. “We’re hoping this will help build a bridge between the Art Institute and the Greek community.”
The Hellenic Museum gala will benefit the decade-long effort to build a permanent museum focusing on Greeks and the Greek-American experience. The $15-million project is expected to be completed by November 2011. It’s more than a third of the way done.
The gala at the Hilton Chicago will feature the menu of Purple Pig chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. — another nod to the newest thing.
© Diane Alexander White PHOTOGRAPHY