The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has been able to pursue its mission for over 113 years, and to undergo tremendous growth over the past two decades, thanks to the generosity of its donors. There are many ways you can help ensure the Athenaeum's future and maintain the high quality of its offerings. You may designate your tax-deductible contribution for a certain use such as: Collections, Exhibitions, Chamber Music, Jazz, New Music, or Education. Or you may wish to take advantage of one or our naming opportunities, or purchase a commemorative brick in our courtyard. Businesses and foundations are also welcome to become involved with the Athenaeum through support of the organization in general, or of specific programming.

The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library is pleased to announce the naming of its Main Gallery as the Joseph Clayes III Gallery as a consequence of a $500,000 donation by the Joseph A. W. Clayes Charitable Trust.

Brendan Holmes, a board member of the Clayes Trust, and a long time friend and business partner of Joseph Clayes said; "Joseph was a lifelong lover and patron of the arts, he would be deeply touched to have this gallery, which he visited many times, named for him." Trulette Clayes, also a board member of the Clayes Trust and niece of Joseph Clayes said; "My Uncle loved the arts, La Jolla and the Athenaeum. He particularly enjoyed music and attended many concerts, recitals and performances of all kinds throughout the State. He enjoyed listening to his friends and young musicians play his collection of grand pianos. I miss spending time with my Uncle, and I am so happy that the Athenaeum has agreed to honor him in this fashion."

"This is the third largest donation the Athenaeum has received and we are most grateful to the Joseph A. W. Clayes Charitable Trust. The entire donation will become part of the Athenaeum Endowment Fund and will benefit the institution for years to come through an annual allocation to the operating fund" said Erika Torri, Athenaeum Executive Director.

Athenaeum patron Alice Goldfarb Marquis (1930-2009) has left a significant donation of $536,000 to the library in her will. Alice Goldfarb Marquis passed on June 16, 2009 and her memorial service was held at the Athenaeum the following month. The gift was announced to the Athenaeum’s Board of Trustees on September 27 by Joan & Irwin Jacobs Executive Director Erika Torri. "The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is most grateful for this generous gift from Alice Marquis. Alice was a wonderful friend and enthusiastic supporter and participant of all our activities. This bequest is the second largest gift in recent Athenaeum history, and it is a most exciting moment for the organization”, says Torri.

Alice Goldfarb Marquis was a highly recognized author of numerous books on art and culture as well as a devoted patron of the Athenaeum. According to Sue Whitman, friend of Marquis and Athenaeum Patron member and newsletter contributor, "Alice, a longtime Patron member, was one of the most ardent and vocal supporters of the Athenaeum; she faithfully attended art openings, chamber music concerts, lectures, etc., and was an active member of the investment committee. She will be sorely missed but her valuable contribution to the Athenaeum ensures she will never be forgotten."

Athenaeum patron Mary Beth Jernigan (1941–2012) has left a significant donation of $583,000 to the library in her will. The gift was announced to the Athenaeum’s board of trustees on August 20 by Joan & Irwin Jacobs Executive Director Erika Torri. “The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is most grateful for this generous gift from Mary Beth Jernigan. Mary Beth was a wonderful friend and enthusiastic supporter and participant of all our activities. This gift is the largest bequest in the Athenaeum’s history, and it is a most exciting moment for the organization”, says Torri. “Her gift will be added to the Athenaeum’s Endowment Fund and will benefit the institution forever.”

Mary Beth Jernigan was born in Pasadena and spent her early years living with her older brother and her mother in Nebraska while her father fought for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war, her family moved to La Jolla and she graduated from La Jolla High School in 1959. She went on to attend UCLA, where she completed a BA in Arts and started working in Los Angeles in graphic design. It was there that she met her husband Richard Hornbrook Jernigan, and they were married at St. James-by-the-Sea in 1963. She lived in Germany and South Valley, Idaho, but always returned to La Jolla.

Mary Beth was very passionate about the arts. Erika remembers that she made the Athenaeum her “home away from home” and hardly missed a single event. “The Athenaeum is my salon,” Mary Beth would say. She attended every concert, reception, and lecture, and all social events with great enthusiasm and a smile on her face. She was loved and appreciated by everyone and will be very much missed by all of us.

Other Community and Corporate Donors
Estate of Alice Marquis, PhD.
Drs. Richard and Rita Atkinson
Katherine Mills Estate in appreciation of Erika Torri
Sharon and Joel Labovitz
Joan and Dr. Irwin Jacobs
City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture
County of San Diego
Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss Fund
Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation
Vail Memorial Fund, John Brown, Trustee