New! Artist of the Month Program at The Store @ DeCordova

The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park’s The Store @ DeCordova is pleased to announce a new artist program. The Artist of the Month initiative builds on The Store’s recognition as one of the best places to purchase unique items by living New England artists. The initiative allows DeCordova to highlight the quality design, craftsmanship, and creativity that is happening in the region.

For more than twelve years, The Store @ DeCordova has provided a wide array of products to Museum visitors, Members, and Museum School students that reflect DeCordova’s mission: to educate as broad and diverse public as possible about contemporary American art by focusing primarily, though not exclusively, on the art of the New England region. The Store prides itself on selling objects by these artists, thus promoting an appreciation of their work and supporting them in their ongoing creative efforts. All proceeds from The Store sales support DeCordova’s educational and exhibition programming.

The following individuals have been selected as Artist of the Month:

July

Crista Jaeckel began her signature accessory line “Pink Sequin” after arriving in Boston from her native South Africa four years ago. Having taught costume design and construction, she is an expert in the creation of exquisite and whimsical millinery using vintage decorative elements that she has spent a lifetime collecting. Jaeckel is inspired by the stories of the hats worn by her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and she updates vintage styles for the modern wearer. “There is a hat for every face and a hat for every occasion – all you have to do is find it and have fun.”

Crista Jaeckel has been selected as the featured Artist of the Month at The Store @ DeCordova for July 2006. Please join us at a reception to celebrate her work on Sunday, July 2 from 12 pm – 2 pm.

August

Local ceramic artist Ruchika Madan draws the inspiration for her designs from nature – and her canvas is the smooth white stoneware she uses to fashion plates, cups, pots, and tiles. She makes all of her items functional so that each delicately-decorated piece enters the everyday life of the user – adding beauty to random moments of the day. Each piece is glazed and then carved using a technique called “sgrafitto” that gives added texture to every useful and usable work of art.

Ruchika Madan has been selected as Artist of the Month at The Store @ DeCordova for August 2006. Please join us to celebrate her work at a reception on Sunday, August 6 from 12 pm – 2 pm.

September

Once a physics and math major, jewelry artist and sculptor Chloe Sachs brings her fascination with the form, rhythm, and structure of spirals to the creation of her latest pieces of “sculpture to wear.” Hand-crocheted spirals are decorated with gems and beads that she collects in her travels for her other professional endeavor as a partner in the well-known furniture and accessories retailer Mohr and McPherson. “I try to pay homage to what has always inspired me from plants, rock formations and sea life. These spiral shapes conform well to the human body and together present a beautiful extension of nature.”

Chloe Sachs has been selected as Artist of the Month at The Store @ DeCordova for September 2006. Please join us to celebrate her work at a reception on Sunday, September 3 from 12 pm – 2 pm.

October

Trained at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, local jeweler Jennifer Chin experimented with many different media – from photography to welding – until she discovered that she felt most at home in the fabrication of her exquisite sterling jewelry. She uses elements inspired by the forms of stars, flower petals, pine needles, birds’ wings and mechanical parts to fashion elaborate yet delicate strands of kinetic elements. “The malleability, textures and unlimited possibilities of raw metal continue to excite my creative impulses. The themes are complex and original but the jewelry itself is very simple and stylish.”

Jennifer Chin has been selected as Artist of the Month at The Store @ DeCordova for October 2006. Please join us to celebrate her work at a reception on Sunday, October 1 from 12 pm – 2 pm.

The regular hours for The Store @ DeCordova are:

Monday – Thursday 9:30 am – 7:30 pm
Friday – Saturday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday 10:30 am – 5:30 pm New Hours!

Visit The Store @ DeCordova online at www.decordova.org, or for more information, contact thestore@decordova.org or 781/259-8692.

Electronic images are available. Please contact Corey Cronin at ccronin@decordova.org or
781/259-3628.

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