>From Muskegon Museum of Art
Media Contact: Marguerite Gawron tel. 231.720.2574
Office Secretary: Roxanna Herder tel. 231.720.2571

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Press images available at
http://muskegonartmuseum.org/media-room]

January 28, 2011

Primal Inspirations: Contemporary Artifacts
February 17 through April 10, 2011
Muskegon Museum of Art Wiener Gallery

The Muskegon Museum of Art opens a new temporary glass exhibition,
Primal Inspirations: Contemporary Artifacts on February 17. The public
is invited to attend an opening reception that evening, from 5:30 to
7:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., guest speaker Ferdinand Hampson, the founder
and president of Habitat Galleries from which Primal Inspirations
artwork travels, will speak about the exhibition. The museum will also
unveil its new contemporary glass [WINDOWS-1252?]gallery—the Robert D. and C.
Corcoran Tuttle [WINDOWS-1252?]Gallery—at the event. Admission to the
reception and
lecture is free.

The exhibition continues the [WINDOWS-1252?]MMA’s tradition of providing
exhibitions
of fine contemporary studio glass by well-regarded artists each
spring. Primal Inspirations highlights the work of 12 artists working
in the glass medium who are noted for their interest in primitive art,
among them William Morris, José Chardiet Rick Beck, Davide Salvadore,
Deanna Clayton, and Preston Singletary. Influenced by the formal,
visual, and spiritual qualities of ancient and tribal artifacts, these
artists add their own aesthetic and technological skill to visually
celebrate the historic record of objects used for hundreds, even
thousands, of years. Some of the artists have lived in tribal
environments. Others were inspired by the impact that primitive works
have had on contemporary art. In their unique interpretations in
glass, they all share a combined passion for the patterns, symbols,
and craftsmanship of simple utilitarian objects and a respect for the
social and cultural contexts from which they emerged.

This exhibition has been organized by Habatat Galleries, Royal Oak,
Michigan and is underwritten by the Corky Tuttle Fund for the Muskegon
Museum of Art through a gift from the Robert D. and C. Corcoran Tuttle
Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

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VISITOR INFORMATION
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in
downtown Muskegon. Call 231-720-2570 or visit
www.muskegonartmuseum.org for information.

Admission:
$5.00 (Free on Thursdays)
Free admission for MMA Members,
Students (with I.D.) and ages 17 and under.
Extra admission may be charged for special exhibitions and events.

Winter & Spring Hours
SUN noon-4:30pm
MON closed
TUES closed
WED 10am-4:30pm
THURS 10am-8pm
FRI 10am-4:30pm
SAT 10am-4:30pm

The Museum office is open Monday through Friday.

-- 
Marguerite Curran-Gawron
Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon MI 49440
t. 231.720.2574
f. 231.720.2585
www.muskegonartmuseum.org