Where do you get your local Art Museum news? Take the Twitter poll

The San Diego Museum of Art has launched an interesting poll on Twitter. Click the link below to weigh in.

twtpoll :: Where do you get your local Art Museum news? (exhibitions, new works of art, events, new hires) (via @SDMA)

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Stan Hywet hires veteran of Coke and Disney as its new chief

I wonder how the new chief executive will affect the future direction of Stan Hywet's public programming and ongoing preservation efforts. It will be interesting to see if someone with such a strong background in high-profile, commercial industry can translate her experience into effective leadership at a mission-driven, educational institution with as rich a heritage as Stan Hywet's without changing its philanthropic focus.

Crain's Cleveland Business: Stan Hywet Hall hires veteran of Coke and Disney as its new chief

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What do you think about Stan Hywet's choice for their new Executive Director? Please share your comments below.

3 days left to save 50% by pre-registering for AAM's Annual Meeting 2010

If you are still on the fence about attending AAM's Annual Meeting next spring in L.A., you have three days left to decide and still save 50% off the full price of registration. For $295, you get all of the professional development, latest research, pertinent sessions, and top-shelf networking opportunities that we have come to expect from AAM, and this year the price tag actually makes it accessible. In fact, what you save in registration fees could cover most of the cost of your airfare out to southern California.

For more information, or to register online, click this link to be redirected to AAM's website.

National Trust is not giving up on the Wilderness Battlefield

For those of you who followed the battle between Wal-Mart and legions of historians fighting to preserve the area around the Wilderness Civil War battlefield, apparently the war isn't over just yet. Despite the decision by the Orange County supervisors to allow Wal-Mart to go ahead with its plans to construct a supercenter across the street from the battlefield, the historians have not accepted defeat.

Although the supervisors' ruling seemed to put an end to the preservationists' appeals, it appears they have one appeal left, to the head of Wal-Mart himself. The National Trust for Historic Preservation now has a form letter on its website that can be personalized before being forwarded to Wal-Mart's President and CEO, Michael T. Duke.

If you wish to support The National Historic Trust's efforts encouraging Wal-Mart to select a more suitable location in Orange County, Virginia for its new supercenter, click this link to participate in their online letter-writing campaign. If you cannot access the website through the link above, copy this address into your browser to reach the form. https://secure2.convio.net/nthp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=394

Image: The National Trust for Historic Preservation Headquarters in Washington, DC

Photograph by Alan Karchmer

Seasonal creative support added to Illumine Creative Solutions' existing services

Anticipating the onset of the slowest stretch for my museum projects, from November to January, this year I am applying my creative production skills and event planning experience to the seasonal needs many businesses encounter during the lead-up to the holidays.

From planning and procuring thoughtful and artful thank you gifts for clients and employees, to designing and installing tasteful seasonal decorations and displays, I can help with those holiday projects that require a refined aesthetic and an eye for detail.

If your business, gallery, or museum store could use some help tackling these time-sensitive tasks this holiday season, give me call to see if I can help.

Visit museums for free on Smithsonian's Museum Day

This Saturday, September 26th, is the Smithsonian Magazine's annual Museum Day. Hundreds of museums across the country will open their doors for free to any person (plus one additional guest) with a Museum Day admission card, which can be downloaded from this website. Simply present the card to receive free general admission at participating Museum Day locations.

Unsure if any of your local museums are taking part in Museum Day? Check the interactive map on the Smithsonian Magazine's website here to find a museum near you.

Can you say Parasaurolophus?

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Is it any wonder that she loves the Cleveland Museum of Natural History more than just about any other place on Earth? These dinosaur flashcards were a gift from her cousin, and Nora loves flipping through them in her free time learning the animal names and features.

CMA Chalk Festival photos

Indeed it was a beautiful day on Sunday and the weather was perfect for the Chalk Festival. Unfortunately, I could not get my mobile blog posting software to upload the photos from my phone live that afternoon, but here they are.

20th Annual Chalk Festival this weekend at the Cleveland Museum of Art

I just checked the local 5-day forecast and am delighted to report that our resident meteorologists are predicting a beautiful weekend here in Cleveland. This is particularly great news since the Cleveland Museum of Art will be hosting its 20th Annual Chalk Festival on Saturday and Sunday, and I am heading down to the Circle with my family for all of the fun.

The Museum's chalk festival draws on a centuries-old European tradition first practiced outside of Cathedrals in Italy, where poor beggars would decorate the sidewalks with chalk and charcoal drawings of famous paintings. This weekend, you are invited to come down to the Museum and try your hand at reproducing the Old Masters, or to produce your own original masterpiece. Sidewalk squares are $8, or $16, depending on the size and come with all of the chalk needed to begin your piece de resistance.

Don't want to get your hands dirty? That's fine, you can admire the chalk drawings created by renowned artists, groove to live music, and stroll the beautiful gardens around the Wade Lagoon all for free. That's right, there is no admission fee, and the weather looks sunny, so plan to come down and join the festivities. The event runs from 11:00 to 5:00 on Saturday the 12th, and from 12:00 to 5:00 on Sunday the 13th.

I am planning to be there with my husband and our two little girls on Sunday to color a square. We plan to create an original abstract work, incorporating the prominent toddler and preschool influences that affect our creative vision during this predominantly pink period we find ourselves in right now. But, knowing how things go with small fry, it may end up as one of those unfinished classics that the artists, once distracted, never return to finish. Photos to follow next week.

For more information on the music performances, the history of the Chalk Festival, or to reserve a sidewalk square, check out the Museum of Art's Newsroom blog, or visit the Museum's website.

Scifri Videos: Space Golf, Astronaut Included

Here is a great new Science Friday video about the New York Hall of Science's innovative, outdoor science exhibit-- a miniature golf course! If only every science exhibit could be half this interactive, and come with a real, live astronaut...

Scifri Videos: Space Golf, Astronaut Included

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Enjoy the video, and a have a great holiday weekend! Maybe get out there with the family and enjoy a little mini-golf.

The photo is from a recent round of family mini-golf at Pirate's Island in Hilton Head, SC.

Picture Hanging 101 from the New York Times

Hanging artwork in a museum or your own home can be a frustrating challenge if you are unfamiliar with the best methods and materials for the job. Fortunately, in her article in today's New York Times, Arianne Cohen has taken the guesswork out of the process with an excellent how-to article containing plenty of practical tips from the pros.

Check out the article by clicking on the link below, and if you still need help installing your next exhibit, gallery show, or just hanging your latest family portrait over the fireplace, call in your own expert for advice or assistance by posting a comment or dropping me an email.

THE FIX

First, Keep Your Thumb Out of the Way

By ARIANNE COHEN

Published: September 3, 2009

How to hang pictures like a professional.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/garden/03fix.html