Atlanta's Art Community Today
- Atlanta's art community definitely was jump-started due to the plane crash at Orly.
- Because of the Orly Plane Crash, the Atlanta Arts Alliance evolved, Georgia built the Woodruff Arts Center and received countless of gifts and donations that helped memorialize the victims of the crash, as well as stimulate its economy.
- It involved into a fast paced, high tech, multimillion dollar component of Atlanta, and is also one of the most meaningful industries in Atlanta.
Gifts, Donations, Memorials, and More
Orly Plane Crash of 1962
- Numerous gifts and donations swamped Atlanta. From money, to material items, to abstract ideas, Atlanta received a lot during this time period.
- Citizens sent in checks, committees were formed to help the arts community, and the business community became involved in the arts for the first time.
- There was an anonymous donation of 4 million dollars. 15 million dollars was also raised and donated to establish the Atlanta Memorial Arts Center, which opened in 1968.
- Auguste Rodin's The Shade (L'Ombre) helped open the Atlanta Memorial Arts Center. It is a sculpture that was given by the French government to the city of Atlanta to remember the lives lost at Orly. There is a large, circular plaque at its base and it lists the names of all those who died at Orly.
Woodruff Arts Center
Evolution of the Atlanta Arts Alliance
Formation of the Woodruff Arts Center
- At first, this committee was called the Atlanta Art Association, but it transformed into the Atlanta Arts Alliance after the plane crash.
- Now the Atlanta Arts Alliance oversees all of Atlanta’s performing and visual, artistic centers, museums, galleries, schools, organizations, and so much more.
- Manages the High Museum of Art and all of the divisions of the Woodruff Arts Center, the 14th Street Playhouse, and the Atlanta College of Art.
The Woodruff Arts Center is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it includes the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Arts for Learning Committee, High Museum of Art, and the Alliance Theatre. Covering over twelve acres of land, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to Atlanta’s finest performing and visual arts and is a huge source of income in Atlanta’s economy. Not only that, but the Woodruff Arts Center also stands as an educational center for students interested in either performing or visual arts.
It wasn't all tragedies though. Numerous positive outcomes came out of the Orly Plane Crash.
At the time, it was considered the worst air disaster involving one aircraft. It was also the first single civilian jet airliner disaster with more than 100 deaths, and the second deadliest aviation disaster in history.
How did it exactly happen?
As the pilot began to take-off down Runway 8, he maintained the runway center without a problem. At roughly 6000 feet down the runway, the pilot noticed that something was off. The problem was a motor that controlled the trim failed. Taking off was not an option anymore. The pilot did everything he could to lower the speed by braking, but the plane going too fast, and the tires burned away. The plane eventually came down and became engulfed in flames. Witnesses stated that the nose of the aircraft rose from the runway, but the rest of the plane remained on the ground.
What was the Orly Plane Crash?
- The Orly Plane Crash was a plane crash that killed 122 people, 106 of which were art patrons from Atlanta, GA.
- Only 2 people survived.
- They were stewardesses sitting in the tail section of the plane.
- It occurred at the Orly Airport in Paris, France.