012 Wesley Paine–Volunteering at the Parthenon
Being a Docent at the Athens of the South’s Parthenon
Wesley Paine is Director of the Parthenon in Nashville, TN, the world’s only full-sized replica of the ancient Greek temple. An accomplished actress, as well as museum director, Wesley brings dynamic communication skills and a wealth of knowledge to the role of docent, whether it is at the feet of the forty-two foot Athena in the Parthenon or in a lecture hall or clubroom. As a speaker and cultural interpreter for nearly forty years, she has been fueling the enthusiasm and deepening the understanding of children and adults for the ancient civilization that built the original Parthenon and to whom our civilization owes a great debt.
At the Parthenon, volunteers also have the reward of seeing eyes light up with awe and understanding. As docents, they tell visitors about its history both in Nashville and in fifth century B.C. Athens, Greece. Tourists are often surprised to discover yet another treasure in Nashville’s Parthenon: the visual art collection. The docents frequently find they’ve turned casual visitors into appreciative admirers.
If you are interested in volunteering, email info@parthenon.org. The website is www.nashville.gov/parthenon.
The membership/support organization, The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park (www.conservancyonline.com), is also good place to find out what’s going on.
For more information, check the Facebook page called The Parthenon in Nashville and the one for The Conservancy: www.facebook.com/conservancynash.
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