ArtPourri

USPS News – The Postal Service has dedicated the Valley of the Yosemite commemorative 42-cent first class stamp.  The image is based on an 1864 oil-on-paperboard painting by artist Albert Bierstadt, which belongs to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  The stamp is the eighth issuance in the “American Treasures” series.

Personnel Changes Announced – The National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia has announced that he will leave his position as the head of the Endowment in January 2009.  Gioia will return to writing and will also join the Aspen Institute as the first Director of the Harman/Eisner Program in the Arts. – And the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, has announced that Thomas P. Campbell–an accomplished curator with a specialty in European tapestry who has worked at the Museum since 1995—has been elected its next Director and CEO, succeeding Philippe de Montebello.

Hours Cut – Hours of operation for the splendid New York City Waterfalls created by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson on Manhattan’s East River, have been cut from 101 per week to 49.5.  Despite an environmental assessment study conducted prior to the project as well as measures taken to insure the safety of surrounding landscapes, salt water mist off the river has affected several adjacent plantings.  Hours through Oct. 13 are Mon. and Wed. 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs. through Sun. 12:30-9 p.m.

Prizewinners Announced – The Heinz Awards, created in 1993 to honor the late Senator John Heinz, have been announced for 2008 in five categories.  Visual artist Ann Hamilton, of Columbus, OH, has received the award in the Arts and Humanities for a body of work that has established her as one of contemporary art’s most influential voices.  The awards of $250,000 each will be presented in Pittsburgh on Oct. 21.

Lectures Rescheduled – The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has announced that lectures previously scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13 have been rescheduled.  “Impressionists in the Forest of Fountainebleau” has been rescheduled for Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m.  www.mfah.org.

Milestone – Renowned animator Bill Melendez has died in California at the age of 91.  At Disney Studios he worked as an animator on Fantasia, Pinocchio, Bambi, Dumbo and many Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoon shorts.  At Warner Bros. he animated some of the most memorable Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig short subjects.  In 1964 Melendez produced his first television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and provided Snoopy’s vocalizations.  He was the recipient of myriad national and international honors and awards for directing, as well.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 18 No. 12 — October 2008