Kickoff Fundraiser

April 17, 2021

Dr. Michael B. Collins and Olive Talley, filmmaker
Dr. Michael B. Collins and Olive Talley, filmmaker

On April 17th, The Williamson Museum in Georgetown and Olive kicked off the Gault documentary project with a fundraiser at the Gault site. The 125 guests included the Mayor of Florence and other civic and business leaders from nearby Florence and Georgetown, members of the board of the Gault School and The Williamson Museum, and other enthusiastic supporters. We did not let the brief rain showers or chilly temperatures dampen our excitement to tour Gault and check out displays of artifacts.

Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo

Gault School of Archaeological Research (GSAR) Executive Director, Dr. Clark Wernecke, announced Mike’s recent Award for Excellence in Archaeological Analysis from the Society for American Archaeology for his six decades of work.

Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo

An excerpt from the award: "Collins has championed lithic analysis in all its forms… His major contributions include lithic analyses in North America, South America and Europe … He is perhaps best known for his pioneering work on lithic reduction sequences among Clovis and earlier peoples in the Americas. Collins’ commitment to research excellence, along with his noteworthy contributions to service and public engagement, make him an outstanding recipient of this award."

Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo

Dr. Bruce Bradley, Dr. Jon Lohse, and Dr. Mike Johnson (from the Cactus Hill site in VA) all attended to honor Mike and share stories. Noted former National Geographic Photographer Ken Garrett charmed the crowd with his stories about meeting Mike and Jon Lohse and photographing them in 1999. And he also took great shots of the event!

Mike Johnson, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley, Clark Wernecke obscured and Jon Lohse
Mike Johnson, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley, Clark Wernecke obscured and Jon Lohse
Mike Johnson, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley, Clark Wernecke
Mike Johnson, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley, Clark Wernecke
TAS member and GSAR Board member Joh Lohse and his son, Ben, study artifacts from Gault as GSAR staffer Jennifer Gandy looks on.
TAS member and GSAR Board member Joh Lohse and his son, Ben, study artifacts from Gault as GSAR staffer Jennifer Gandy looks on.

GSAR Board Chairman Tim Brown unveiled a new historical marker at the site.

Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo

The next day, we interviewed Mike Collins, Bruce Bradley and Mike Johnson for the documentary.

Cinematographer Chris McCaffrey, Bruce Bradley and Mike Collins
Cinematographer Chris McCaffrey, Bruce Bradley and Mike Collins
The three amigos: Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins and Mike Johnson The three amigos: Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins and Mike Johnson
The three amigos: Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins and Mike Johnson
Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo
Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo
Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo
Gault Film Kickoff Fundraiser photo
Bruce Bradley and Mike Collins pointing out an outcropping of chert, a rich source of tool making material utilized by hunter-gatherers at Gault for thousands of years.
Bruce Bradley and Mike Collins pointing out an outcropping of chert, a rich source of tool making material utilized by hunter-gatherers at Gault for thousands of years.
Olive, cinematographer Matt Franklin, and Pablo Veliz checking out a shot.
Olive, cinematographer Matt Franklin, and Pablo Veliz checking out a shot.
From left to right: Cinematographer Chris McCaffrey, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley and sound mixer Pablo Veliz
From left to right: Cinematographer Chris McCaffrey, Bruce Bradley, Mike Collins, Olive Talley and sound mixer Pablo Veliz

Contact Info:

Olive Talley
otalley@att.net
214-435-0745