Nasher, a ‘window to excellence’ six years on
04 Oct 2011, Posted by Austin Powers in News, 0 Comments
Irina Danescu/The Chronicle
If you thought arts and athletics were mutually exclusive parts of the Duke experience, think again.
That was the message Monday night, as the Nasher Museum of Art celebrated its sixth anniversary with a benefit gala headlined by Duke men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski. The event, titled “Changing the Game,” drew numerous corporate donors and Duke alumni to the museum’s Mary D. B. T. Semans Great Hall for an evening of food, drinks and music.
Connecting arts and athletics at Duke was the main theme of the event, with a particular focus on Duke basketball. Ushers wearing referee shirts and whistles guided guests into the museum for a meet-and-greet with members of the men’s basketball team. Televisions and a projection screen showcased basketball-themed video-works by several contemporary artists—a one night only installation arranged specifically for the event.
This marked the first time the Nasher and Krzyzewski had partnered on such an event, said Brenda Johnson—Duke ‘61, member of the Nasher Museum’s board of advisors and former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.
“You can’t always mix art and sports, but tonight we’re going to do just that,” Johnson said.
In her opening remarks, Director of the Nasher Kimerly Rorschach thanked guests for their support of the museum, and said that more than $100,000 raised would support future exhibitions and outreach programs throughout Durham.
“We’ve been planning this for seven or eight months,” Rorschach said. “We’re so pleased with the turnout.”
President Richard Brodhead followed, noting the successes achieved by the museum in its relatively short history.
“Every time I come to the Nasher, I remember how young it is,” Brodhead said. “I think of the way this museum has pulled everyone together.”
Arts and athletics have a special connection to the Nasher Museum, Brodhead said. He said that the museum’s namesake, Raymond Nasher, Trinity ‘43, was tennis captain here long before he began collecting sculptures and other art.
In his keynote speech, Krzyzewski thanked Rorschach for inviting his team to the event and cautioned his players against getting too comfortable with the celebratory setting.
“It’s great for me to bring my team here to see excellence in arts as they strive for excellence on the basketball court,” he said. “We start practice in 11 days. You guys better be ready!”
Krzyzewski then compared Duke basketball and the Nasher Museum to 5th Avenue storefront windows, in that both provide a glimpse of the excellence that defines Duke.
“5th Avenue, New York, at Christmastime… You look in one of the windows and say ‘Wow,’” he said. “Duke basketball and the Nasher are like that for Duke. They are windows to excellence.”
Following his address, Rorschach presented Krzyzewski with a lifetime membership to the Nasher Museum, which she said was the “one and only” membership of its kind.
“To someone for whom drawing stick figures is difficult, this is a great honor,” Krzyzewski said.
Nancy Nasher, Law ’79, who worked with her late father to establish the museum, expressed gratitude for the support of Krzyzewski and his team.
“We deeply appreciate the time and support they are giving us,” she said. “I believe arts are the heart and soul of this campus, and of life, but sports have a key role as well. They bring people together in an important way.”
Also present as honorary co-chairs were Duke basketball legends Jay Bilas, Trinity ‘86 and Law ‘92, and Mike “G-Man” Gminski, Trinity ‘80. Gminski, who said he is often on campus as a basketball commentator, was impressed by the success of the event and plans to return to the Nasher in the future.
“I’m a little ashamed to say that it’s my first time here [at the Nasher],” said Gminski. “It certainly won’t be the last.”
