Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Welcomes Military Families for a Private Tour of the Gibbes Museum of Art On Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 2:00 P.M.

The Gibbes is one of 1,600+ Blue Star Museums across the country that is offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Department of Defense

May 22, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY
Media use only – not for publication or broadcast

		Contact: Sally Gifford 202-682-5606 giffords@arts.gov

WHAT:                    

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. will welcome military mother and Blue Star Families advisory member Suzanne Pollack, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman, "Army Wives" cast members Brian McNamara, and other special guests for a private tour led by Angela D. Mack, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Gibbes Museum of Art on Wednesday, MAY 23, 2012 at 2:00 P.M.

From L-R: Lt. Col Craig Punches, Commander, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base Charleston; Suzanne Pollack, Blue Star Families Advisory Board Member, Lt. Col Maureen Robinson and her son, Shawn; NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman; Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley; Gibbes Museum Director Angela Mack; Army Wives cast member Brian McNamara at the Blue Star Museums launch event in Charleston, SC. Photo by Scott Henderson

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,600 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day (Monday, May 28, 2012) through Labor Day 2012 (Monday, September 3, 2012); details at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

"Army Wives" is filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Gibbes Museum of Art is located along the Museum Mile in Charleston’s historic district.

WHO: 

• Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., City of Charleston, SC [invited]
• Suzanne Pollack, Member, Advisory Board, Blue Star Families, mother of two Marines
• Rocco Landesman, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
• "Army Wives" cast members Brian McNamara ("Major General Michael Holden")
• Ellen Dressler Moryl, Director, City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs
• Sloan Gibson, USO (United Service Organizations) President and CEO [invited]
• Angela D. Mack, Executive Director and Chief Curator, the Gibbes Museum

WHERE:

The Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina

WHEN:

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
2:00 pm - 2:20 p.m. Remarks in the welcome gallery of the Gibbes Museum; photo opportunity.
2:20 pm – 3:00 p.m. Guided tour of The Charleston Story, the permanent exhibit at the Gibbes. Photo and interview opportunities with speakers and military families.

CONTACT:             

Media must R.S.V.P. to Sally Gifford, NEA Public Affairs at giffords@arts.gov, 202-682-5606 (office), or 202-536-7162 (Blackberry).

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Media may cover the tour of Gibbes Museum exhibits with military families, "Army Wives" cast member Brian McNamara, and other special guests.  Post-tour press availability including photo and interview opportunities with military families and special guests. 

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