Hello Docents-
I know you haven’t had much info on this exhibition so I am forwarding this on to get you started. I will get you more as it becomes available.
-Jana
Jana Wennstrom | TACOMA ART MUSEUM
Manager of Public and Volunteer Programs
T: 253.272.4258 x3030
celebrating his art and inspirations | Dale Chihuly’s Northwest | on view through September 25
From: tacomaart-bounces@cityoftacoma.org [mailto:tacomaart-bounces@cityoftacoma.org] On Behalf Of Lisa McKeown
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 4:02 PM
To: TacomaArt@cityoftacoma.org
Subject: [TacomaArt] Tacoma Art Museum Showcases the Safeco Gift and OtherNew Acquisitions
MEDIA RELEASE
June 17, 2011
Media Contact: Lisa McKeown, Communications Coordinator, 253.272.4258 x3047, lmckeown@TacomaArtMuseum.org
Tacoma Art Museum Showcases the Safeco Gift and Other New Acquisitions
(Tacoma, WA) – Over the last four years, Tacoma Art Museum has added more than 400 works of art to its permanent collection, most notably the large donation of works from Safeco Insurance (a member of the Liberty Mutual Group) and Washington Art Consortium. This summer, the museum shares many of these important works of Northwest art with the community in Collecting for the Future: The Safeco Gift and New Acquisitions, on view June 25, 2011 through January 2012.
“The works on view include a wide range of media and date from the early 1900s to today,” said Margaret Bullock, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at Tacoma Art Museum. “These artworks demonstrate the richness and diversity of the artists working throughout the Pacific Northwest.”
The exhibition showcases paintings, video, conceptual art, glass, studio art jewelry, photography, ceramics, fiber arts, works on paper, and sculpture. It reveals some of the exciting directions that the museum’s collection is growing and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into progress toward Tacoma Art Museum’s goal of building the premier collection of Northwest art.
Many of the newly acquired artworks came from the Safeco Art Collection, founded in 1973, dedicated to exclusively acquiring Northwest art. In 2009, when Safeco Insurance became part of the Liberty Mutual Group, the company sought to disperse the collection. An innovative solution was developed to keep the collection intact and share it among the members of the Washington Art Consortium (WAC), of which Tacoma Art Museum is a member. In total, more than 800 works from the Safeco Art Collection were donated to WAC, an action that represents Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s continued commitment to the Northwest community. The donation includes works of art from prominent Northwest artists including Sonja Blomdahl, Francis Celentano, Harvey K. Littleton, Ken Shores, Layne Goldsmith, and Carl T. Chew.
“Part of the museum’s ten-year plan is to expand our collection of Northwest art and to document important art historical moments and influential figures from the area,” said Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum. “The incredible generosity of many individuals and groups, including the Safeco Insurance Company, is amazing and inspiring. The Safeco gift contributes significantly to telling the story of Northwest art.”
Artists featured in Collecting for the Future include Chang Ae-Song, Michael Brophy, Margaret and Peter Camfferman, William Givler, Layne Goldsmith, Hadley + Maxwell, Jim Hodges, Linda Hutchins, William Ivey, Manuel Izquierdo, Doug Keyes, Harvey Littleton, Paul Marioni, John McLauchlan, Judith Poxson Fawkes, Norie Sato, Matt Sellars, Jamie Walker, Nancy Worden, and Brandon Zebold.
It is primarily through the generosity of donors that the museum is able to continue to grow its collection of Northwest art, which will then be available to future generations of Tacomans. Just two examples of these donations include the Vanessa Helder painting, which is a recent gift of the Aloha Club, one of the most important donors to the museum's collection. This group has given more than 50 iconic works in a variety of media since 1971. Secondly, the photographs purchased by Collect 21NW, a new museum patron group dedicated to acquiring major works for Tacoma Art Museum's permanent collection, beginning with photography and including other media in future years.
Donors whose generous support has helped acquire the artworks in Collecting for the Future include the Aloha Club, Shari and John Behnke, Collect 21NW, Gale Courtney, Maureen Duryee, Gail Gibson and Claudia Vernia, Dr. Bernard Goffe, Anne Gould Hauberg, Elaine J. Jorgensen, Alice Kaltnick, Greg Kucera and Larry Yocom, Aileen and Ben Krohn, Lisa Harris Gallery, Manuel Izquierdo Trust through Bill Rhoades, David F. Martin and Dominic A. Zambito, Roger David Tyne McLennan, Janice Niemi and Dennis Braddock, Robert and Shaké Sarkis, Chang-Ae Song, Janeanne A. Upp and Dale Meyer and the Ramona Solberg Endowment, Vascovitz Family, Merrill Wagner and Robert Ryman, Clint Willour, Winston Wächter Fine Art, and Virginia and Bagley Wright.
Collecting for the Future: The Safeco Gift and New Acquisitions is organized by Tacoma Art Museum. For press images, interviews, or more information, contact Lisa McKeown at LMcKeown@TacomaArtMuseum.org or at 253.272.4258 x3047.
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HOURS Wednesdays–Sundays 10 am–5 pm, Third Thursdays 5–8 pm
ADMISSION Adult $10, Student/Military/Senior (65+) $8, Family $25 (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18). Children 5 and under free. Third Thursdays free from 5-8 pm. Members always free.
CONTACT 253.272.4258, www.TacomaArtMuseum.org, info@TacomaArtMuseum.org
