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ArtBits

Harvard To Sell Cassatt Painting
HARVARD UNIVERSITY - Harvard University Art Museums officials have decided to sell a valuable Mary Cassatt oil painting, “Mother and Two Children,” but some criticize the decision as one driven solely by financial gain. Initially given as a gift to Harvard in 1922 by Ernest G. Stillman, class of 1907, the painting will be auctioned at Christie’s auction house as part of a sale titled “Important American Paintings, Drawings, and Sculptures.” The painting has a projected sale price of $3 million to $5 million. The painting in question is the only major Cassatt oil that Harvard University owns, standing out among a potpourri of other Cassatt drawings and prints, according to the Harvard University Art Museums website.

London kicks off Russian art auctions
LONDON - London's auction houses are focusing on Russian art, jewelry and literature in a string of sales that began at Bonhams. The Bonhams' sale of paintings, silver, Faberge jewelry, porcelain and books was expected to bring up to 3 million pounds ($5.1 million), RIA Novasti reported.
Among the items featured at Bonhams' first-ever, all-Russian auction were a 1889 landscape by Ivan Shishkin, a 1884 seascape by Ivan Aivazovsky and a version of Kazimir Malevich's "Female Torso." Sotheby's takes up the Russian hammer Tuesday, Christie's Russian art auction is Thursday and Bloomsberry's sale is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Couple donate glass collection to museum
MIAMI - A Miami lawyer and his wife made a multimillion-dollar gift to the Lowe Art Museum for construction of a new wing for the couple's glass collection. The University of Miami's Lowe Art Museum broke ground on a new wing to house a 100-piece glass collection. Donated by Miami lawyer Sheldon Palley and his wife Myrna, the collection is valued at $2.5 million. The couple will also provide $1 million to underwrite construction of the Sheldon and Myrna Palley Pavilion on the north side of the museum, where the glass will be permanently displayed. The 3,500-square-foot pavilion, designed by Coral Gables architect Roney Mateu, is scheduled to open by November 2006, Lowe director Brian Dursum said. Select post-World War II ceramics and other studio art pieces, such as textiles and wood, will likely be shown there as well, Dursum said.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Launches Audio Tour Program for American Art
JACKSONVILLE, FL- The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens launches the museum’s first professionally produced audio tour. Antenna Audio, a world leader in audio interpretation, produced a 90-minute program of selected works in The Thomas H. and Diane D. Jacobsen Collection of American Art and The Cummer’s permanent collection of American art. Visitors will experience the works of art while hearing about the rich artistic and historical contexts that shaped the artists and the creation of their masterworks. “We are delighted to offer visitors this engaging audio tour. The material contained in the tour will enhance the visitor’s understanding of the American art and artists on view at The Cummer,” said Museum Director Maarten van de Guchte. The audio tour is scheduled to expand to include additional works from The Cummer’s American and European art collections.

Museum Offers Free Admission With Donation of Toy
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The Florida Holocaust Museum will offer free admission for each visitor who brings a toy to the Museum this holiday season. The toy drive will be held from Monday, November 28 through Friday, December 16, 2005. Visitors are asked to bring unwrapped toys of all kinds - Barbies, stuffed animals, electric cars, games, bicycles, and dolls, as well as backpacks, books, and arts and craft supplies. Toys will be donated to the Edwards Family Foundation, which hosts a yearly party for children who are less fortunate. This year, 1200 children are expected at the event, which will be held Saturday, December 17th at the Wildwood Recreation Center. Visitors can also drop toys off at the Museum and pick-up free passes to use at another time. Visitors will receive one pass or one free admission per toy donation.

Dunedin Fine Art Center Opens New Cafe
DUNEDIN, FL - The Palm Cafe' at DFAC is Now Open. Stop by Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday 10am-2pm or Sunday 1-4pm for Espressos, Cappuccinos, Latte's, Teas or Iced Drinks! Or try their own "Artist's Blend" coffee also available by the bag for your home enjoyment. You can call 727-298- DFAC ext. 237 ahead of time and the cafe will have your
order ready to go.