Crocker Art Museum Acquires Charny's "Primavera"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2010

Contact: Nancie Mills Pipgras, Editor Mosaic Art NOW

Phone: (916) 715-3284 (PST)

E-Mail: nancie@mosaicartnow.com

CROCKER ART MUSEUM ACQUIRES

CONTEMPORARY MOSAIC

WAKEFIELD, MA . . . The editors of Mosaic Art NOW (MAN) are pleased to announce that Primavera, one of 18 mosaics selected to be part of the annual's 2010 Exhibition in Print, has been acquired by the Crocker Art Museum of Sacramento, CA.

Mosaic artist Irina Charny of Irvine, CA, delivered the work to Crocker Chief Curator and Associate Director Scott Shields, PhD last week. “We are so pleased to have Primavera in our permanent collection,” said Shields. “The work is an excellent example of the new vitality and contemporary perspectives being brought to this ancient and enduring medium.”

Of Primavera Charny writes, “Making mosaics gives me the chance to explore color, shape and texture while creating images that are both narrative and decorative. I am Russian by birth and the fantastical fairy tales and rich textures of my childhood seem to permeate my artwork often without my awareness of their influence. Primavera is Spring emerging in her lushness and promise of new beginnings.”

Charny gifted Primavera to the Crocker in response to a request from Dr. Shields who acted as curator for MAN’s Exhibition in Print.

"Dr. Shields was an excellent curator for our Exhibition in Print," said Bill Buckingham, editor/publisher of the annual. "He brought an art professional's perspective to reviewing 528 works submitted by 301 artists from 26 countries and then selected the 18 that appear in MAN 2010. We are thrilled that he has chosen to include one of those mosaics in the Crocker's permanent collection."

For more on Irina Charney: www.icmosaics.com

For more on the Crocker Art Museum: www.crockerartmuseum.org

Congratulations, Irina!

Enjoy -- Nancie