News Release

A 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art

April 18, 2007

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 1957, the Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art has supported the museum's cultural and educational efforts throughout the region. In the execution of this mission, the committee of 215 volunteers has contributed more than $4 million toward the acquisition of works for the museum's permanent collection and for museum restoration and remodeling projects. Notable acquisitions include: a cabinet by Christopher Dresser, c. 1870; Maurice Brazil Prendergast's, Picnic, c. 1914-1915 (purchased as a gift of the people of Pittsburgh through the efforts of the Women's Committee); Mark Rothko's painting Yellow and Blue(Yellow, Blue on Orange), 1955; Robert Indiana's painting The Great Love, 1966; and Mark Newson's sculptural chaise, the Lockheed Lounge, 1985.

Among its many outreach activities, the committee was responsible for the founding of Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival and the museum's annual antiques show and Decorative Arts Symposium. The committee offers presentations on the museum and its collection to garden clubs, women's service organizations, and church and synagogue groups. Members host museum open houses for seniors and special needs children; organize and decorate the annual holiday tree display; and throw the best parties in town.

"The collective enthusiasm, wisdom, and capacity of the Women's Committee is such that they are to be credited for much of the museum's progress over the past half century," says Richard Armstrong, The Henry J. Heinz II Director, Carnegie Museum of Art.

In honor of the committee's golden anniversary, Carnegie Museum of Art has highlighted 50 outstanding works of art purchased with Women's Committee acquisition funds for presentation throughout the museum beginning April 27, 2007, and on view for the balance of the year. The works will be spotlighted throughout the Scaife Galleries, and a special gallery guide will invite visitors to join the hunt for African sculpture, contemporary installations, Old Master paintings, and spectacular decorative arts, all treasures from the museum's distinguished permanent collection, courtesy of the Women's Committee.

"What a joy it is to celebrate 50 years of the Women's Committee-a multigenerational, energetic, and collaborative group of women dedicated to furthering the mission of Carnegie Museum of Art and to welcoming individuals and families to visit and enjoy their museum," says Ranny Ferguson, president of the Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Gala in the Gallery
On April 26 from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Carnegie Museum of Art and the Women's Committee will host "Gala in the Gallery," the Women's Committee's Golden Anniversary celebration. The evening will consist of a cocktail buffet and the chance to tour the Scaife Galleries, where highlights from 50 years of collecting by the committee are on view. Tickets are available for purchase in advance: $500 (Prendergast Patron Level), $250 (Matisse Sponsor Level). $175 (Preview Party), or at the door for $200. For further information, call 412.622.3325.

Images are available on the museum's media photo web site. Contact the communications office at 412.688.8690 or stitelert@carnegiemuseums.org for the access code.

Carnegie Museum of Art
Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh and founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1895, Carnegie Museum of Art, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is nationally and internationally recognized for its distinguished collection of American and European works of art from the 16th century to the present. The Heinz Architectural Center, part of Carnegie Museum of Art, is dedicated to the collection, study, and exhibition of architectural drawings and models. For more information about Carnegie Museum of Art, call 412.622.3131.

Contact:
Tey Stiteler
412.688.8690
stitelert@carnegiemuseums.org