.com ...the link between you, the visual artist, and the manufacturer of art materials. Established 1990

SIGN UP - FREE ARTtalk e-Newsletter©
Search all of ARTtalk!!

2000 Holiday Stamps Available—The U. S. Postal Service has selected Netherlandish artist Jan Gossaert's "Madonna and Child," c. 1520, as the Holiday-Traditional stamp this year. This painting is currently included in the Worcester Collection at The Art Institute of Chicago. The Holiday-Contemporary stamps feature four images (c. 1880's and 1915-20) that represent part of the rich folklore of Santa Claus.

Old Design Revived—A new silver dollar based on the design of the buffalo nickel (minted from 1913-1938) will be released next year. Originally designed by James Earle Fraser, the new coin will honor the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian.

Cast Your Vote—Kids and kids at heart across the nation are being requested to cast their ballots and make their favorite color count in the Crayola Color Census 2000. By participating in the census, you will be entered into a random drawing to win a colorful 10-day vacation for four to see colorful sites like The White House, Yellowstone National Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Vote online at www.crayola.com or call 1-800-CRAYOLA. But hurry—the deadline for submission is December 15^th!

Director Chosen—After a lengthy search, Briton Paul Warwick Thompson has been chosen director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Scheduled to take his new position early in 2001, Thompson will be the first non-American to serve as director of the museum.

Boss Winner Announced—Slovene artist Marjetica Potrc has been awarded this year's Hugo Boss Prize, given every two years to recognize significant achievement in contemporary art. She will receive $50,000 for her "politically relevant" architectural installations.

Art Designated for Vegas—Russia's State Hermitage Museum and the Guggenheim Museum are joining forces to open a mini-museum in the lobby of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, it will exhibit 20 paintings from each museum's collection about twice a year. The Guggenheim is also renting a separate exhibit hall at the hotel to house special exhibits.

Auction Records Set—Picasso's "Woman with Crossed Arms," from the artist's blue period, has sold for $55 million at Christie's sale of Impressionist and modern art. This set a record for the artist and marks the fifth highest auction price ever paid for a work of art. In addition, Alberto Giacometti's "Large Standing Woman I" sold for more than $14.3 million, the highest price ever paid for a work by the artist as well as for a sculpture.

Museums Rated—Travel Holiday magazine has rated the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. as America's top museum; then, in descending order, The Menil Collection (Houston), The Frick Collection (New York), the American Visionary Museum (Baltimore), and the Museum of Modern Art (New York).

Holiday Happenings
Palm Beach, FL—Flagler Museum—Tree Lighting—Dec. 3 Select rooms in the museum are decorated in traditional Gilded Age holiday splendor, and Henry Flagler's great-great-great grandchildren will light the Marble Hall Christmas tree. Evening Holiday Tours Dec. 14-15 and 18-20 Guests are treated to a guided tour of Whitehall in its entire seasonal splendor, illuminated by the golden glow of its original electric light fixtures. Refreshments and holiday carols follow each tour. Admission. 561-655-2833.

New York City—Metropolitan Museum of Art—Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche Through Jan. 7 The museum continues a long-standing holiday tradition with the annual presentation of its Christmas tree. A vivid 18^th Century Neapolitan crèche scene adorns the candlelit spruce. A lighting ceremony will take place Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00. 212-879-5500.

Chicago, IL—Art Institute of Chicago—Family Highlights: Holly Days - Dec. 26 30 - Between 12:30 and 3:30pm. Celebrate the New Year. Watch an artist demonstrate pastel drawing, decorate a New Year's calendar with your own work of art, and hear stories for all seasons. Festival of Children's Books - Dec. 3, 12-4pm More than 20 nationally published children's authors and illustrators attend the 10th Annual Festival of Children's Books. 312-443-3600.

Hartford, CT—Wadsworth Atheneum—27^th Annual Festival of Trees & Traditions - Dec. 2-10 The holiday traditions of diverse faiths and cultures from around the globe are represented in sparkling displays, music, song and dance. Included are entertainment, storytelling, hands-on craft project, a LEGO corner and enchanting "Candy Lane." 860-278-2670.

Stockbridge, MA—The Norman Rockwell Museum—"The Spirit of Christmas: Rockwell Paintings from the Hallmark Collections" Through January 28, visitors can view 27 original paintings from the Hallmark collection of Rockwell artwork that were commissioned between 1948 and 1957 for Christmas cards.

Minneapolis, MN—Minneapolis Institute of Arts—Holiday Traditions in the Period Rooms Through January 2, Tuesdays through Sundays. Decorative Arts Council Annual Holiday Event James Ford Bell: The Passionate Collector as Generous Benefactor Dec. 7. 612-870-3101.

Oakland, CA—Oakland Museum of California—Winterfest: A Celebration of Winter Family Traditions Dec. 3 - Family feasts and holiday games. Music, dance, craft activities and food of family traditions of Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Mexican Christmas, Ramadan and others. Noon-4pm. A Festival of Lights Day Tour Dec. 12 and Dec. 17 Travel to San Francisco to take in the splendor of Union Square. Dinner at the Grand Hyatt, then board bus to enjoy more holiday lights. History Guild: 510-232-2964.

December Birthdays
  6   Frederic Bazille
20   Pieter de Hooch
25   Paul Manship
25   Raphael Soyer
30   W. Eugene Smith

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 11 No. 2 -- December 2000