Santa Fe University of Art and Design and Pecos National Historical Park Host Greer Garson 110th Birthday Tribute Weekend
Santa Fe, NM (PRWEB) September 11, 2014 -- Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD) and Pecos National Historical Park today announced that the two institutions will jointly host the Greer Garson 110th Birthday Tribute Weekend Sept. 26–28 in celebration of the late Academy-Award winning actress, who would have turned 110 Sept. 29. The festivities will honor Garson’s local philanthropic contributions.
The weekend will kick off with a free public reception in the lobby of the Greer Garson Theatre on the SFUAD campus Friday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. The reception will feature a display of costumes the actress wore, a dance tribute by SFUAD students, an onstage tour of Greer Garson Theatre, scene rehearsal of the upcoming SFUAD production, The Cave Dwellers, and “Remembering Greer” Panel and Q&A with special guests including former SFUAD Performing Arts Chair John Weckesser.
“Greer Garson was a woman of extraordinary intelligence and talent, a star in the galaxy sense of the word, who genuinely cared about people,” says Weckesser. “She wanted people to succeed in life on any and every level, students foremost. It is the generosity of her spirit which overrides her monetary contributions to the campus that will live with me, our faculty and our students forever.”
Along with her husband, Garson was known for her philanthropy and connection with New Mexico. A patron of the College of Santa Fe (now SFUAD), she contributed significantly to the legacy of the campus and several of its buildings, including the Greer Garson Theatre Center, Garson Studios and the Fogelson Library. The couple also contributed generously to Pecos National Historical Park. Buddy Fogelson’s first connection with the park was his purchase of the Forked Lightning Ranch property in 1941. The park opened the E. E. Fogelson Visitor Center in 1984, with many exhibits donated by the family. Fogelson and Garson were honored in 1981 with the Conservation Service Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Department of the Interior.
Other events the Sept. 26–28 weekend will include a display of Garson’s personal items and papers at SFUAD’s Fogelson Library and a reception at the on-campus Garson Studios, followed by a special screening at The Screen of Garson’s Academy Award–winning performance in Mrs. Miniver. At Pecos National Historical Park, visitors will be invited to explore the Forked Lightning Ranch House, where Garson and her husband, E. E. “Buddy” Fogelson, lived. Park rangers will be on hand to discuss the history of the ranch house and Garson’s deep connection with the local community.
Greer Garson 110th Birthday Tribute Weekend Events
Unless otherwise noted, events are free and open to the public.
Friday, Sept. 26
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Exhibition of the Greer Garson Collection, Fogelson Library, SFUAD campus
6 p.m.
Reception in the lobby of the Greer Garson Theatre, SFUAD campus
The reception will include a costume display, dance tribute, and sneak peak of the university’s upcoming performance, The Cave Dwellers. It will be followed by a “Remembering Greer” Panel and Q&A moderated by current SFUAD Performing Arts Department Chair Laura Fine Hawkes and feature several special guests, including former Performing Arts Department Chair John Weckesser. Capacity is limited; admission is on a first-come basis.
Saturday, Sept. 27
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Exhibition of the Greer Garson Collection, Fogelson Library, SFUAD campus
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Pecos National Historical Park open house: Forked Lightning Ranch House, New Mexico home of Garson and Fogelson
Come to the E. E. Fogelson Visitor Center first for instructions about ranch house access and to watch an orientation film that Garson narrates. At the ranch house, talk with park rangers who know the story of the late actress and her association with the park.
Sunday, Sept. 28
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Exhibition of the Greer Garson Collection, Fogelson Library, SFUAD campus
12–1 p.m.
Reception at Garson Studios Stage C
Popcorn and informal screening of a Greer Garson tribute compilation
1 p.m.
Screening of Mrs. Miniver, The Screen
Reserve tickets ($10) at http://www.thescreensf.com or by calling 1-505-473-6494.
The tribute weekend celebration continues with the opening of The Cave Dwellers by William Saroyan on Friday, Oct 3.
“In the spirit of Greer Garson’s era, we look to this American playwright, who conforms excellently well to Ms. Garson’s view that ‘the mirror should be tilted a little upward’ toward optimism and humor and compassion,” says Shepard Sobel, director of The Cave Dwellers and a contributing faculty member in the SFUAD Performing Arts Department.
For more information, visit the SFUAD website at http://www.santafeuniversity.edu/events.
About Pecos National Historical Park:
Pecos National Historical Park is located some 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico and is a unit of the National Park Service, under the administration of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
About Santa Fe University of Art and Design:
Santa Fe University of Art and Design is an accredited institution located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, one of the world’s leading centers for art and design. The university offers degrees in arts management, contemporary music, creative writing, digital arts, graphic design, film, performing arts, photography and studio art. Faculty members are practicing artists who teach students in small groups, following a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that combines hands-on experience with core theory and prepares graduates to become well-rounded, creative, problem-solving professionals. As a Laureate International Universities Center of Excellence in Art, Architecture and Design, the university boasts an international student body and opportunities to study abroad, encouraging students to develop a global perspective on the arts. Santa Fe University of Art and Design is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, http://www.ncahlc.org.
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Lauren Eichmann, Santa Fe University of Art and Design, http://www.santafeuniversity.edu, +1 505-473-6440, [email protected]
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