Museum of Modern Art Releases Free iPad App for MoMA E-Books -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Via ArtDaily Blog;

The Museum of Modern Art announces the release of MoMA Books, a free Application for the Apple iPad that allows users to purchase, download, and read a growing number of MoMA’s e-books, including favorite backlist titles that are no longer available in print, such as Atget by John Szarkowski. The MoMA Books App provides greater and more convenient access to exhibition catalogues that offer a lasting record of the Museum’s diverse exhibition program, scholarly texts on key works and artists in collection, and anthologies of important art-historical texts from around the world. …



Link to Article at ArtDaily Blog

Boca Raton Museum of Art Names Steven V. Maklansky as New Director -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Boca Raton Museum of Art Names Steven V. Maklansky as New Director

The Boca Raton Museum of Art's Board of Trustees announced that Steven V. Maklansky has been chosen as the Museum's new Director. He will begin his position July 1, 2011.  Mr. Maklansky has served as the Executive Director at the Brevard Art Museum in Melbourne, Florida since 2009.

"We are confident that Steven is the right leader to build upon the Boca Raton Museum of Art's solid foundation established over the past 60 years," explained Board President, Paul W. Carman. "He possesses the experience and leadership qualities ideally suited to fulfill our vision for the future."


Mr. Maklansky received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University, his Masters from New York University and is a graduate of the Getty Foundation's Museum Leadership Institute. He has written many books and articles and presented scores of lectures on a broad range of topics related to art and museums.



Article from ArtBlog.org

Zhang Xiaogang sets record for living Chinese artist -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

A triptych oil painting by Zhang Xiaogang sold for $10.1 million on Sunday at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong. The sale broke the record for a piece by a living Chinese artist, and was the latest sign of China’s phenomenal ascent in the global art market.


Mr. Zhang, who is 52 and based in Beijing, is now among a handful of living artists to have a work sell for more than $10 million. Less than a decade ago, many of his works were selling for $60,000 or less. He joins a group that includes Lucian Freud, Damien Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Gerhard Richter, according to Artprice.com.

Full Article from The New York Times
The Saatchi Gallery

Liz #5 to be Auctioned by Phillips de Pury & Company -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Phillips de Pury & Company will be auctioning off Liz #5 as part of its Contemporary Art Part I auction on May12th and is estimated at $20,000,000 to $30,000,000.  Liz #5 was painted at the height of the actresses' fame which coincided with the most significant creative period of Warhol's career.

Liz #5 comes from an important private collector who acquired it from the estate of famed art dealer and collector Ileana Sonnabend.  Beginning in the early 1960's, her gallery was instrumental in introducing postwar America Art to Europe and she represented the most prolific and groundbreaking artists of her time including Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol. Liz #5 remained in her personal art collection until her death in 2007.  This is the first time a work from her estate will come to auction and it offers the rare possibility to acquire one of the Sonnabend treasures in the open market.

Liz Taylor was one of Warhol's most famous inspirations alongside Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy. Taylor captured Warhol's attention early on with her life's high profile romances and tragedy; it was this vibrancy and pathos that so attracted Warhol to her and ensured she was a formidable influence on his work throughout his career. In his own words he once said, "Elizabeth Taylor, ohhhh. She's so glamorous."

Article about Auction
Phillips de Pury & Company website
Warhol Museum website
Liz Taylor website

New Director Named to Ringling Museum -- posted by Florida Fine Art Blog

Steven High was named executive director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.  The Sarasota museum, now a part of Florida State University, had a long and thorough search for the new director. 

Steven High, who is currently the director and CEO of the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Ga., will take office at The Ringling Museum on June 1, 2011.

“I am thrilled by the prospects and relish the opportunity that comes with being director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, as well as the responsibility to honor and perpetuate the legacy of our founders, John and Mable Ringling,” High said. “The timing could not be better with the opening this year of the James Turrell Sky Space, new wing of the Circus Museum in The Tibbals Learning Center, the 2011 Ringling International Arts Festival and special exhibitions like Beyond Bling: Voices of Hip-Hop in Art. I am looking forward to meeting the community, museum members, supporters, partners and the press.” 

Press Release about New Director
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art website  

Division of Cultural Affairs New Website -- by Florida Fine Art Blog

Check out the Division of Cultural Affairs new website. Redesigned for ease of use, I think they did a great job. If you are a corporation, arts organization, Florida artist or just art lover and supporter you will find this website an invaluable resource filled with important information. From our Grant programs, public exhibition opportunities, cultural endowments, "Poetry Out Loud" programs, Art in State Buildings, Individual Artist Fellowships and Community Arts Calendars this website has it all. The website even has a jobs posting section for opportunities in arts and culture and a wonderful Cultural Directory with local, state and national arts organizations and associations. GL

Division of Cultural Affairs website

James Hutchinson inducted into Florida Artists Hall of Fame -- by Florida Fine Art Blog

James Hutchinson Inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame

by Florida Fine Art Blog

This past week on Wednesday night (March 23^rd, 2011), James F. Hutchinson was inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame.  Established by the Florida Legislature in 1986, the Florida Artist Hall of Fame recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions either as performing or practicing artists in their disciplines.  These individuals contribute to Florida’s national or international reputation as a state with sustained commitment to the development of cultural excellence.  The award is the highest and most prestigious cultural honor bestowed by the State of Florida.  The Florida Artist Hall of Fame currently consists of over 30 inductees, including musician and performer Ray Charles, actor and director Burt Reynolds, writers Zora Neale Hurston, Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, filmmaker Victor Nunez, and visual artists Duane Hanson, Robert Rauschenburg and James Rosenquist.