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Of
the 132 people on board, all but two crew members perished. Never had a
city suffered such a terrible loss. Stunned, Atlanta went into mourning.
When the shock finally began to wear off, the tragedy galvanized the city
into action. Plans that had existed, or were in the works, prior to the
crash were dusted off and re-thought. The concept of a memorial for the
Orly victims—something involving the arts—floated through the
city. The idea that developed was a bold never-before-tried one. Why not
combine the cream of Atlanta's performing and visual arts venues into a
center for the arts?
Committees were formed, citizens sent checks, the business community became
involved for the first time, and an anonymous donor hinted at an astounding
gift of $4 million. The Atlanta Arts Alliance was formed. The then-anonymous
donor, the Woodruff Foundation, established by Atlanta-based Coca-Cola magnate
Robert W. Woodruff, came through and the grand idea went forward.
Since its inception, the Woodruff Arts Center has grown into the most dynamic
center for the visual and performing arts in the South and is among the
top such centers in the nation. Today the Woodruff Arts Center includes
the Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, Young Audiences, 14th Street Playhouse
and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
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