OVERVIEW

50 years ago on June 3, 1962, the single greatest disaster in Atlanta’s art world took place when 122 art patrons lost their lives in a crash at Orly Field in France.  The terrible moment created grief, heartache and sadness.  The silver lining was a catalyzing movement in Atlanta’s arts and business communities to create a memorial.  That memorial is The Woodruff Arts Center.

This June 3rd, we remember those who lost their lives and celebrate what they stood for at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Orly Community Day.  There are plenty of fun – and free – activities planned. The Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, Young Audiences, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (all part of Woodruff’s offerings) will play a part, but sure to be among the most touching of those activities will be a reading by author, poet, and playwright Pearl Cleage of her poem “Wish You Were Here” written in commemoration of those who perished.

Pearl was kind enough to visit us in the studio to read a segment of her poem and talk to us about what a memorial means to her.