I want to tell you how much I enjoyed Harriet Moore's work. Thank you for the high quality of the exhibitions that you have selected. Her paintings and sculptures demand more than a cursory look. I'm hoping to return soon. It's amazing to me that so few of my artist friends were, until recently, aware of such a wonderful resource that the Peninsula Art Museum represents to the Bay Area. Joe Zirker

Chagall-esque (re Dante work) - very expressive. I liked the Chinese / Japanese collection also. (unsigned)

I feel that Harriet Moore is the century's greatest artist! Liz Olmstead

"The Divine Comedy" paintings and sculpture by Harriet Grannis Moore opened last Sunday, and we (Museum staff and visitors) may never be the same. Awesomely weird and beautiful art. Come see. Will try to get photo from reception up tomorrow.

Some of the comments left on the clipboard:

"Such wonderful paintings, sculptures and all!"

"Harriet is wonderful."

"Brilliant work."

"I'm so glad you are showing this marvelous work. This venue is so well lit."

"Magically delicious."

"Great presentation of a woman's work not usually appreciated."

Comments

Fabulous installation of wonderful Zirker machines! Davey & Kristina

I found the Zirker show very interesting. I wish I could have been here for his demonstration of cast monotpes. Cosette Dudley

Beautiful Zirker exhibition! Hette, Stefan, & Ella Kirkeby

"Machines of Memory" closes

Joe Zirker said "This is the best exhibition I've ever had" when he and Eva (pictured) visited the Museum on Sunday, the final day of "Machines of Memory".

Yesterday the cast acrylic monotypes and sculptures were taken down ("deinstalled" in museumspeak), wrapped, and delivered back to Joe's studio. Next, Paula Kirkeby will choose perhaps half of the pieces to show at Smith Andersen Editions in Palo Alto. The opening reception at SAE is April 10, 3 to 5 p.m.

Museum Newsletter

The winter newsletter is almost in the mail - takes longer these days, since the Postal Service requires THREE sticky dots on each piece, and of course an address label. Time-consuming, wouldn't happen without wonderful volunteers.

Not much time left to enjoy Joe Zirker's cast acrylic monotypes and sculpture - "Machines of Memory" closes on Sunday, March 28. The next Gallery exhibition, Harriet Moore's paintings and sculpture based on Dante's "Divine Comedy", opens with a reception on April 18. Watch for your announcement card in the mail.

"Reflect on Tech" California Association of Museums conference

Excellent conference, stuffed with practical information on developing and utilizing the "social media" (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, smart phones) as tools to reach out into our varied communities. Learned lots, now to apply it - or not. The trick will be to figure out what will accomplish the most, given our lack of paid staff. Docents reign!

Returned to find several unsigned comments left on the gallery clipboard, to wit:

"Fabulous space and presentation."

"Awe inspiring carved pieces." (refers to Chinese and Japanese carved ivory in the Asian Artifacts exhibit, Collections Room)

"Nice place, good art work."

We installed the Asian Artifacts exhibition in the Collections Room this week, ready for the opening reception on Sunday. This time, instead of cramming data on individual labels, we have prepared a handout with information on a number of the pieces, including transcriptions of the inscriptions on the Chinese paintings and calligraphy.

Come enjoy - Sunday, Feb. 28, 1 to 4 p.m.

Today we took down the "Nepotes & Nutcrackers" show in The Collections Room, returned the nutcrackers to their collectors (Carroll and Bob O'Conner of Belmont), and carefully added the five Nepote paintings to our Permanent Collection storage.

Next up: "Asian Artifacts", which opens Feb. 28 with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. (The Joseph Zirker exhibition "Machines of Memory" continues in the Gallery through March 28).

Meanwhile, a last comment on the nutcrackers from a young visitor:

"These nutcrackers are so cool! I wish I had one of my own!" - Robert G.

30+ students from Hillsdale High School visited the Twin Pines Art Center yesterday as part of a day-long field trip re Chinese New Year. Luckily, the printer had delivered the announcement cards for "Asian Artifacts", the next Collections Room show that opens Feb. 28, the day before. Mark your calendars and join us on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 4.

Hi Ruth, Just got the following information:

To order polyethylene sheets call the Sabic Company Polymer Shapes, 2250 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95131

Phone #: 408 432 3800.

When ordering ask for low density polyethylene sheets. The dimensions per sheet are 48" x 96" x .06"

The cost per sheet is $18.50. Shipping, which is extra, can be either rolled or flat. Shipping rolled is much less expensive and does not damage the material.

The sheets may be ordered cut into smaller sizes but expect a shipping delay of 5 days.

Joe

Sunday Seminar: Joseph Zirker, cast acrylic monotypes

22 people crowded into the Museum's Collections Room to hear (and see) Joseph Zirker yesterday. Joe talked first about the sources of his inspirations, and read translations of several poems by Rumi. Then he told how he stumbled onto his method of producing cast acrylic monotypes (it all began with dried acrylic pigment in a clean used tofu container). Joe brought several monotypes with him, and demonstrated the careful peeling of image from the polyethylene plate. Since suitable polyethylene is not widely available, Joe will advise us regarding a Peninsula source (check here in a day or two).

More on Joseph Zirker

A feast for the eyes! Outstanding works that complement each other beautifully (the prints & the 3-D structures). What an inspiration to see an artist so creative & original & inventive up into the 80s. Go Joe! Lincoln

I concur. Joe B.

Neat! Dark and yet playful. MLC

A perfect space for this exhibit. Excellent. Jerry E.

Joseph Zirker: Machines of Memory

A worthwhile visit. Intricate, complex, personal - a history in assemblage. Inspiring! Clare S.

Unique, well conceived and executed pieces. Hank R.

Peninsula Museum of Art

Special Event: Joseph Zirker Monotype Demo

Come to the Museum on Sunday, Feb. 7, and watch Joe

demonstrate his patented cast acrylic monotype process.

Free. 1 to 3 p.m. Space limited, please call 650-594-1577.

Recent Acquisitions: Chapline, Manoogian

Two of the featured artists in the Museum's fall exhibition

"Ebb & Flow" have donated work to the Permanent Collection.

Claudia Chapline donated her painting "Tidepool", and Jone

Small Manoogian donated her four-panel "Baylands Four

Seasons".