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INAUGARAL BILL HARRISON FOUNDATION GALA CELEBRATES HIS LIFE AND OPENING DOORS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ARCHITECTS ON NOV. 17

Evening to Highlight Bill’s Heritage and Endowment to Create Greater Accessibility to Architectural Careers and Education

ATLANTA – Bill Harrison’s lifelong passion for exploration, the arts and creating lasting spaces to be experienced for generations to come is being celebrated through the inaugural gala and launch of the The Bill Harrison Foundation on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Atlanta History Center. Tickets are available for purchase here. Chaired by Glennis Beacham, Mary Frances Garrett and Jesse Harrison the event’s presenting sponsor is Harrison Design. 

“It is our collective task as practitioners, educators, and patrons alike to remember to take our success beyond ourselves. It is my duty, with all of you, to lay the path to the future.” – Bill Harrison. 

While his lifelong devotion to architecture began as a 14-year-old intern, as both his career and experiences expanded, Harrison realized that for many students, the opportunity to pursue a career in architecture, creating influential, experiential spaces to be enjoyed by individuals or even thousands, potentially for hundreds of years to come, was not even presented as an option. After establishing a renowned national architectural firm, he began seeking ways to open doors for those that might not otherwise have the chance to explore this educational path might be able to do so. Through the creation of The Bill Harrison Foundation, not only is his legacy being preserved and commitment to assisting future generations being continued, but the path is being paved for students of all backgrounds to explore and discover what is involved in the ideation and development of spaces, whether for the use of individuals or entire communities. 

Programming 

The core of the Foundation is its influential and thoughtfully intentioned programming, which focuses on students, educators, and practitioners, creating educational opportunities and experiences focused on architecture, design, and the arts. Through a need and merit-based approach, these programs provide talented students with an aptitude and desire to explore architecture with access to the resources needed to see architecture as a viable career from middle school on through their university and advanced studies. 

  • High School Career Path and Gateways to Architecture and Design. Through pre-college architecture programs with area universities, high school students are introduced to the profession of architecture as a reality. Onsite high school programming and hands-on workshops will instruct students on the history and key elements of architecture. The Foundation will also work with counselors and educators on additional opportunities for students to pursue this field.  

  • The Travel and Exploration Abroad programs provide students with access to the transformative experience of studying abroad, seeing historic spaces from different cultures that have lasted hundreds of years or more and bringing those learnings back to incorporate into their work.

  • The Lecture Series offers the opportunity for educators, practitioners, and others to be inspired by project and life experiences by bringing together renowned architects, designers, thought leaders and landscape architects who are working on a global scale in order to to illuminate design ideas and projects and to inspire purpose-driven design in students and future designers.  

“Let yourself be like a pebble tossed into the water; allow your actions to cause ripple effects in the world in which you live, and by using strength and determination, those ripples will keep impacting your world long after you are gone.” – Bill Harrison 

This night is a grand celebration of the life, passion and incredible architectural creations of Bill Harrison, but more importantly his belief in expanding his own opportunities for others to share in so that they might explore, understand and create spaces to be experienced and inspire generations to come. Friends, business associates, clients and lovers of his work and passion for not only architecture but introduce and ignite the same excitement to create lasting, meaningful spaces for students that might not have this opportunity otherwise. It’s the launch of not just the Foundation, but new opportunities for students and for the world to see their creations. While the world lost the wondrous talent of Bill Harrison all too soon in 2021, the Foundation ensures that his legacy and commitment to the education and opportunities for future generations continues. 

About The Bill Harrison Foundation

The Bill Harrison Foundation is built on Bill’s legacy and passion for creating spaces that have purpose and function that embody an environmental and healthy atmosphere that impacts all who experience the space either individually or as a community. Through educational programming, the Foundation creates experiences for the next generation of creative and curious thinkers that foster exploration, inspiration, and creativity to open the door for all students to have equal access to pursue career pathways in the arts, architecture, and design.