Our Mission



The Brooks Museum League supports the Memphis Brooks Museum and its programs and promotes education in the fine arts throughout the Memphis community.

About the League's Contributions

• For 80 years has been dedicated to aiding the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
• Given over $1,000,000 in unrestricted grants.
• $100,000 donated in 2003 for the Silk Road exhibit.
• Donated 26 paintings, 13 sculptures, 26 prints, 36 drawings, 89 decorative art pieces, and 2 photographs.
• Developed the Medieval Treasury in the 1916 building.
• Sponsor of the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards.
• Started the Docent Program.
• Established the Museum Gift Store.
• Developed the Decorators Show House and the Designers and Artists Showcase.
• Sponsored Art Appreciation classes for Mid-South students.
• Restored the Holly Court and Fountain at the Museum.
• Plans, purchases, and cares for the rose, shade, and sun gardens at the Museum.
• Co-sponsor of Impressionist Exhibit, Summer, 2011.

History of the Brooks Museum League

Founded in 1933, the Brooks Museum League, from its inception, has focused on the education of children in the fine arts by bringing art to the local schools and bringing school children to the Museum for art classes. This work became the nucleus for the Saturday School at the Memphis Academy of Art, presently the Memphis College of Art. Continuing its community outreach efforts, the League sponsored a Mid-South Exhibition of Art, a juried show for regional artists. In 1966 the League’s attention turned to the youth of the city and the Mid-South with the first annual Junior Mid-South Exhibition, a juried show for young school students. This affiliation eventually developed into the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards, one of the League’ major outreach programs to target youth.

In addition, the League has been instrumental in enhancing the Museum’s offerings and experiences. This has resulted in the establishment of its gift shop, The Docent Program, and Art Works. Numerous League contributions have been made to the Museum in the form of donations to fund special exhibitions, additions to the permanent collections, publication of catalogues, and the restoration and maintenance of all aspects of the museum as a major cultural institution in the Memphis community. In most recent years, the League has been identified with two major fundraiser projects that have provided substantive funding for the art education programs and other projects at the Museum: The Decorator’s Show House and Celebrities on Canvas.   

Next year, 2013, will mark the 80^th anniversary of the Brooks Museum League. Having been dedicated to aiding the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the League has given over one million dollars in unrestricted grants via its aforementioned programs, its donation of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and photographs. This philanthropic legacy has created a volunteer base that throughout the years has generously given its time, skills, and contributions to support art education at the Museum.

Board of Directors 2012 - 2013

Officers

                            President                                           Yvonne Robinson Jones

                            First Vice President                         Anne Thompson

                            Second Vice President                    Mary Louise Gaerig

                            Recording Secretary                        Barbara Tiscia

                            Corresponding Secretary               Rene De Rossitt

                            Treasurer                                           Sandy Followell

                            Assistant Treasurer                         Kitty Sting

                            Parliamentarian                               Sara Folis

                            President’s Advisor                          Kay Clark

Committee Chairs

                             Fence of Honor                                Pat Westland

                             Finance                                              Kitty Sting

                                                                                          Sandy Followell

                                                                                          Maureen Conley

                                                                                          Yvonne Jones

                                                                                          Anne Thompson

                             Fundraiser                                         Mary Lou Gaerig

                             Gifts and Memorials                        Eartha Reeves

                             Landscape                                          Katherine Godoy

                             Luncheon                                            Betsy Osten

                                                                                           Olivia Lewis

                             Mailing                                                Margaret Cardwell

                             Mid-South Scholastic                       Maureen Conley

                             New Member                                     Joan Ray

                                                                                                                         June Kramer

                             Newsletter                                          Helen Heehs

                                                                                           Mary Reed

                             Nominating                                        Mary Lou Gaerig

                             Program                                              Janet Wood

                             Publicity                                              Shirley Cobbins

                             Special Events                                    Mary Belenchia

                             Tea and Tour                                      Barbara Gatti

                             Technology                                          Michael Varner

                             Yearbook                                              Evonne Henderson

                                                                                             Yvonne Holliday