Join the Great Conversation, Help Lovett Arts

From Patch Reports

A group of Atlanta leaders representing a vareity of fields will participate in the "The Great Conversation" at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.

The annual event featuring distinguished leaders from the fine arts, music, media and political realms will be at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven. Lovett's award-winning Ellington Jazz Band will provide music at the event, sponsored by the Friends of the Arts, according to an announcement from the school.

This year, the Great Conversationalists include a renowned portrait artist, television auctioneer, theater director, media executive, political journalist and 17 other civic leaders. They will engage in table conversation with guests, and share their expertise and experience in shaping some of our city’s and nation’s most enduring legacies. 

For more details on the event, visit www.lovett.org/fine-arts/the-great-conversation. Tickets are on sale to the public now and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Cathy Rhodes at lovettgreatconversation@gmail.com.

The 2012 Great Conversationalists include:

• Tom Baxter, editor, "Southern Political Report"

• Paul Brown, host, "The Auction Kings"

• Kevin Bruk, international art consultant

• Alan Campbell, visual artist

• Julia Forbes and Catherine Lewis, curators, "Art of Golf," High Museum of Art

• Shirley Franklin, board member, East Lake Foundation and Purpose-built Communities

• Richard Garner, director, Georgia Shakespeare Theatre

• Lillian Giornelli, board chair, East Lake Foundation

• Fay Gold, art gallery owner and art advisory

• Parisa Khosravi, senior vice president, CNN International Newsgathering

• Paul Melroy, managing director, Atlanta Opera

• John Oetgen, interior esigner

• Patrise Perkins Hooker, general counsel, Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

• Michael Rooks, curator, modern and contemporary art, High Museum of Art  

• Ross Rossin, noted portrait artist

• Kevin Salwen, author, "The Power of Half"

• Doug Shipman, chief executive officer, National Center for Civil and Human Rights

• David and Kelly Silverman, Cake Baby Productions

• Jon Tattersal, sports trainer and golf instructor

• Jack Watson, commission chairman, National Portrait Gallery and Former White House chief of staff, President Carter