Atlanta's CCHR Names Director George C. Wolfe As Chief Creative Officer

George C. Wolfe, Tony Award-winning theater director, producer, playwright and author, brings his renowned artistic talent to the design of the upcoming Center for Civil & Human Rights (CCHR) in Atlanta as its new chief creative officer.

Wolfe will oversee the creation of design concepts and themes for CCHR, including creative interpretation of exhibits, a storyline-based approach to content and the overall visitor experience. Wolfe will work in close partnership with the Center's architectural team, the Freelon Group and HOK, and exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates on the $125 million, 100,000 square foot Center.

"George Wolfe has the visionary talent necessary to create an unmatched experience for CCHR visitors," said Doug Shipman, executive director for the Center. "We look forward to seeing how his strengths in storytelling will fuel new discussions on civil rights lessons and human rights issues."

"The fight for civil rights is a great American story, filled not just with leaders of astonishing power and vision, but everyday citizens, who because of their bravery, humanity and heart, transformed this country, politically, spiritually and culturally," said Wolfe. "I am thrilled and honored to be a part of helping to share and celebrate their stories."

Slated to open in 2012, the Center will serve as a dynamic space designed to be a global hub for contemporary discussion on the link between civil rights lessons and human rights issues. It will also serve as the home for powerful, thought-evoking works and exhibits, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers and Without Sanctuary photography collection.

Considered one of Broadway's most respected producers and directors, Wolfe's theatre directing credits include "Jelly's Last Jam," the Tony Award-winning "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," and "Angels in America - Millennium Approaches." His award-winning plays include "The Colored Museum" and "Spunk," an adaptation of three short stories by Zora Neale Hurston. Wolfe has also directed several notable movies such as "Nights in Rodanthe" and "Lackawanna Blues" for which he earned The Directors Guild Award, four NAACP Image Awards and seven Emmy Award nominations.

"What is also exciting to me is the Center's ambition to connect the triumphs and losses of the fight for racial justice in this country to contemporary human rights issues," said Wolfe. "It's amazing to be a part of an organization which is going to be located in Atlanta, yet by virtue of it's subject matter and vision, is connected to the entire world."

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta will commemorate the landmark contributions of Atlantans and Georgians to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality as well as present the continuing story of human rights efforts around the world. The Center will be a space for ongoing dialogue, study and potential resolution of current and future freedom struggles for all people, at the local, national and international levels. For more information, please visit www.cchrpartnership.org.