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CONTACT: Nicole DeSmet, publicist, 802-985-3346 x 3318 or ndesmet@shelburnemuseum.org

NATURAL BEAUTIES: JEWELRY FROM ART NOUVEAU TO NOW

Nature’s beauty presented as gorgeous wearable objets d’art. Trace the history of design inspired by organic forms over the last century: from a pendant made by René Lalique worn by the actress Sarah Bernhardt to a crown created of brass, solder and coral made by Anthony Sonnenberg to represent illegal narcotic plants, this exhibition will thrill and inspire the imagination.

What: A jewelry exhibition: “Natural Beauties: Jewelry From Art Nouveau to Now”
When: November 15, 2014 through March 8, 2015.
Where: At the John & Diana Colgate Gallery in Shelburne Museum’s Pizzagalli Center for Art & Education.

SHELBURNE, VT (November 15, 2014 to March 8, 2015) The Shelburne Museum’s new exhibition, “Natural Beauties: Jewelry From Art Nouveau to Now,” features 300 designs by world renowned jewelry designers including works from René Lalique, Tiffany & Co and Van Cleff & Arpel, as well as, works by four Vermont artists. The show opens Friday, November 15, 2014. A member preview will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the public opening from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will be on view until March 8, 2015 at the Shelburne Museum’s Pizzagalli Center for Art & Education.

Shelburne Museum curators Jean Burks and Kory Rogers have organized the show on Edward O. Wilson’s theory of biophilia, “that as humans evolved with the rest of creation, they developed a biologically based attraction for nature and life.” They dared to include the beautiful and the grotesque, like the “Food Chain Bracelet” of 14k gold, sterling silver and resin by Mark Prent of St. Albans, which represents the sinister side of nature. The stunning and the provocative, such as Anthony Sonnenberg’s “The Crown of Nature’s Bounty” of beaten bras, solder and coral resembling nothing less than narcotic plants. Masterworks by designed by the venerable Louis Comfort Tiffany sit nearby a new star in the field of enameling David C. Freda, whose scientifically accurate one-of-kind works for Tiffany & Co. rival the beauty of nature itself.

The Vermont artists in this exhibit are Laurie Peters, Mark Prent, and Bruce Baker who all appear to use the animal side of nature in their designs in completely unique ways.

And of course diamonds, so many diamonds. Plenty of those and with great stories for every single one. It’s just about the time when people really need some sparkle to ward off the winter dark.

RELATED EVENTS:

Dazzling Designs. Workshops offered December 3-19, 2014 and January 7 to February 13, 2015. Recommended for grades K-12. For more information or to register, contact Maggie Lisman at 802-985-3346 ext. 3395 or mlisman@shelburnemuseum.org.

Deck the Halls. December 5-17, 2014 — Join us as we begin our holiday season during our 2nd annual “Deck the Halls” events at the Shelburne Museum’s Pizzagalli Center for Arts & Education. Participate in a weekend of seasonal sounds from local talent, artistic activities, classic holiday movies, and more, as you visit our festively decorated halls. From 11-4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 7. Admission is $8 adults; $5 children. For more information call 802-985-3346 or visit www.shelburnemuseum.org.
*Image embedded above: AD1 8984: Tiffany & Co. (established 1837)
Diamond Lizard Brooch with “en tremblant” limbs and tail, 20th century
Yellow gold, diamond, and gemstone
Private Collection
About Shelburne Museum: Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont is one of North America’s finest, most diverse and unconventional museums of art, design and Americana. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in a remarkable setting of 38 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the museum’s beautifully landscaped 45-acre campus. Shelburne’s collection includes works by the great Impressionists Claude Monet, Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas as well as a prized collection of folk art including trade signs, weathervanes and quilts. New in 2013, Shelburne Museum’s Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education is open year-round with exhibitions of fine art, folk art and design and special programming including lectures, live music, film, hands-on art activities and symposia. Also open year-round are the Red Barn, the Webb Gallery and The Museum Store. For more information please visit www.shelburnemuseum.org.