North Georgia Camellia Society Meeting Minutes_May_4_2024
The meeting was held at the Deen Day Sanders Garden House, Bellemere. It was called to order @ 11:00 am by Penny Scarpucci.
Speaker: Rus Clayton, Curator of the Athos Menaboni collection found in Kennesaw University's Zuckerman Museum of Art. Lead a presentation about the Italian artist, Athos Menaboni. Athos immigrated to New York 1921 then later moved to Tampa then to Atlanta. He married a young lady from Rome, GA. Menaboni painted murals and ceilings for many home owners of the famous Atlanta Architect, Philip Shutze. His paintings of beautiful birds featured natural plants as a backdrop. Later Athos began painting camellia paintings for the American Camellia Catalog, Robert Woodruff, the Capital City Club, various branches of The Citizens and Southern National Bank, the Swan House, The Goodrum House, a home on Sapalo Island, GA. His success led to a national reputation; he expanded his work onto silk, cork and mirrors.
During 1949 through the 1950s his lithographs were printed in black and white and UGA students hand painted them. He painted from live Camellia specimens. His paintings were not sold through art galleries instead he painted on commission. Troup county Archives in LaGrange, GA and the archives at Massee Lane have examples of his work as well as private Atlanta clubs and residences. There are several for sale on ebay.
Old Business:
Discussion of location for next plant sale to be held in Fall 2024 & during the 2025 flower show:
-The Duluth Fall Festival approx. $475/last weekend of September 2024
-St. Phillips Cathedral Farmers Market Sat. 8 am-12 pm, April-Dec, approx. $100/table
-A third venue to be determined by July 2024
New Business
Dale Berrong will be purchasing plants September 2024 for our plant sales.
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
25 camellias were donated to the Atlanta History Center. These rare plants were propagated and cared for by Jim Pruckler, our Vice President.
Phil Jones will lead the club's upcoming plant sale and discussed his sales plan as follows:
-25 plants to be sold by Dale Berrong/The Duluth Fall Festival (or other location)
-25 plants to be sold by Penny Scarpucci/St. Phillips Cathedral Farmers Market
-25 plants to be sold by Susan Benson/Location to be determined
-50 plants to be sold during the Feb 2025 show
Total to be sold 125
Upcoming Events
Future meetings will be held at the Bellmere Garden House, 10777 Bell Road, Duluth, GA 30097 on the following dates:
-August 31, 2024
-October 5, 2024
-Nov 9, 2024
Sunday, June 2, 2024 5:00 pm-8:00 pm, the spring/summer picnic will be the final gathering of the year. Penny Smith will host this event at her home located on 611 Norfleet Road, Atlanta, GA 30305. This will be a covered dish event. Watch for an email for additional details.
Flower show 2025: Feb 8-9, 2025 at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm
Written & submitted by Susan Benson