The Cleveland Museum of Art spotlights works of CMA art

CLEVELAND (August 20, 2007): The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) hosts The Cleveland Museum of Art Staff Invitational Art Show, an exhibition shifting the spotlight from the work of timeless masters to artwork created by CMA staff. 

The Cleveland Museum of Art Staff Invitational Art Show opens at the Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library on September 4, 2007 and will run through September 28, 2007. 

The exhibit showcases the artistic talents of 12 CMA staff members.  More than 30 works of art represent a variety of media from watercolors and photography to jewelry and oil painting.  The public is welcome to the opening reception from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on September 4 at the library.  Tommy’s in Coventry Village along with the Cleveland Museum of Art’s café will be providing refreshments.

“The artists and craftsmen represented in the show have work in several media such as painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, prints and drawings, & mixed media,” said James McNamara, show curator and CMA security officer. 

“This group of ‘working artists’ employed at CMA in various departments from conservation, security, development, art handler, library and delivery show quality and passion for the visual arts.  This select group of artists and craftsmen are a sampling of the fine artists who work behind the scenes and on the front lines here at CMA and are part of the secret to our success as one of the top museums.”

The Staff Invitational Art Show has been running for more than 10 years.  It provides an opportunity for Museum personnel to step out from behind their daily work duties and showcase their own artistic talents.  

“The Museum’s employees are dedicated to preserving, displaying and educating the world on our fine collection of art,” Timothy Rub, CMA director, said.  “Their love and dedication to art goes beyond their job duties and many are fine, accomplished artists on their own.  The Staff Invitational Art Show allows our talented staff to exhibit their own personal creativity.”

Featured CMA staff artists include:

Name                         Department                          Media                             Hometown
Dante Rodríguez     Exhibition Production          Paint                               Lakewood                    
David Birchford        Photography                         Photography                 Parma
Paula Blackman      Library                                    Sculpture                       Cleveland
Philip Brutz                Exhibition Production          Photography                 Cleveland Hts.
Dexter Davis             Protection Services             Paint/Prints                   Cleveland
Jim George               Conservation                        Paint/Books                  Cleveland Hts
Kimberly Grice         Distribution Services          Drawing/Photo             Cleveland
James McNamara  Protection Services             Paint                               Lakewood
Jason Rudolf            Protection Services             Paint/Illus.                     Euclid
Renee Suich            Operations                            Jewelry                          North Ridgeville
Karen Wellman        Development                        Paint                               Cleveland
Beth Wolfe                Conservation                        Sculpture                       Cleveland

The exhibition is free to the public and open during library hours.  The Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library is located 25501 Shaker Boulevard in Beachwood.  Hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. 

For more information, call 1-888-CMA-0033 or visit www.ClevelandArt.org.