Geri Meltzer

Tell us about yourself.

A native Canadian, I studied at the University of Toronto, then pursued an art degree in Calgary, Alberta. On weekends I retreated to the Rocky Mountains in Banff and Lake Louise where the landscapes fueled my love of nature and launched a passion for travel. I married native New Yorker Phil Meltzer, who attended theater school with Marlon Brando and Tony Curtis and advocated for the rights of African Americans in Mississippi civil rights marches. Phil brought me to Memphis at the age of 26. I received my permanent green card just as Canada was harboring US diplomats for 444 days during the Iran hostage crisis. I was welcomed to the US with open arms! After Phil's passing, I met Dick Graff, a clinical psychologist from Beverly Hills, while riding camels in Egypt, and we spent the next 14 years roaming the world until his passing in 2017. I received a BFA from Memphis State and worked for 11 years as a graphic designer at Holiday Inn. In 1991 I started my own freelance design firm specializing in nonprofit organizations. My clients included the Memphis Zoo, Children's Museum, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and Campbell Clinic.

Our country has been through huge challenges recently. How have you stayed busy while being mindful of your health?

Is there anything that you learned about yourself from these recent events? Isolated from my relatives in Canada and my family of friends in Memphis, I have found solace in the Dixon gardens, a unique environment where I can dream and reflect. Seated at the edge of the rolling green lawns, I can "see" the rainbow of tulip blossoms from past years. Their riot of color and texture mirrored the Impressionist canvases inside the Dixon, and those memories fuel my soul. The gardens have inspired me to create my own secret garden among the pines and azaleas in my shady backyard. Wearing my Monet straw hat, I can forget the problems of the pandemic while creating my own Giverny garden. I have emerged stronger during this isolation, swimming 60 laps and walking 4 miles daily while keeping in touch with friends by phone. Mindful of COVID, I have hosted dinner parties in my garden, all of us wearing masks and seated 6 feet apart.

How have the arts influenced your life?

Art has defined my life and been a catalyst to travel the world. While roaming the great galleries in London, Paris, Florence, and Rome, feasting on Botcelli's Birth of Venus, discovering back alleys in urban landscapes, or trekking through the ancient bi-ays of southern India, I have developed a love of photography. I have been told I have a talent for painting a picture with words and illustrated travel writing.

What first interested you in the Dixon? What was your initial impression?

I recall the Chihuly glass exhibition earlier in the Dixon's history. I was so impressed with the "butterfly" display mounted and lit so that the whimsical shadows melded with the art and the "butterflies" took light. And gazing up at the coral reef in the Museum Foyer—it created a lasting impression.

In your Dixon experiences, have there been any surprises?

The best surprise was the Petit Palais reciprocal exhibition Kevin initiated and the fabulous opening night party held beneath a billowing white tent. The music, ambiance, and delectable French menu were first class, creating an indelible memory. Kevin's leadership is inspirational. I am a "charter member" of Lunch and Learn (now Munch and Learn) where his style, knowledge, and wit brings artists and their work to life!

If you could be Director of the Dixon for one day, what would you seek to accomplish?

As a world class art museum, the Dixon can work with communities to celebrate various cultures. I have seen that this is happening, but my hope is that it will become a stronger focus for programming, bringing neighbors together celebrating life and art.

You have made a generous provision for the Dixon in your estate plan. What inspired you to make that gift?

I wanted to make a difference and helping to fund the Dixon in perpetuity will keep the arts alive for future generations. Dixon is a jewel in the heart of Memphis and its gardens—an oasis. Planned gifts from donors like me will help it thrive.

What are your hopes for the future of the museum and gardens and its programs?

The Dixon is a breath of fresh air. The Dixon Galleries and Gardens can unite the community in this crisis. Its impressive education programs touch lives and bring joy and inspiration to Memphis' underserved communities. I look forward to further growth in this area.

What are your hopes for the city of Memphis? Do you have advice for our community's leaders?

Our music and heritage bring peace and unity, binding our community. I would remind city leaders to include neighborhood groups in outreach meetings to foster better communication and community spirit.

Your planned gift establishes your legacy. Based on your personal philanthropy, do you have a message to share with our members, supporters, and leaders?

Few of us have a fortune to leave to others, but if we all give something, together we can ensure a healthy future for the arts. What a lovely legacy!

Thank you, Geri, for sharing your experiences and including the Dixon in your estate plan. For more information about how you can help to sustain the future of the Dixon and join the Dixon Legacy Society, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at (901) 312-1243 or sjohnson@dixon.org.