12/19/2001 Las Vegas Art Museum Receives Grant From The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
LAS VEGAS (December 19, 2001) - The Las Vegas Art Museum is proud to announce that the Las Vegas-based Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has generously granted the Museum $62,500. This grant will help the Las Vegas Art Museum (LVAM) upgrade its facility and security systems prior to hosting the Lansdowne Portrait of George Washington exhibition. The exhibit begins its 8-city national tour next year and hits Las Vegas on June 28 through October 27, 2002.
The famous and iconic 8-foot-by-5-foot portrait of George Washington was recently "saved" from an auction earlier this year by a generous gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. In celebration of the acquisition of this original art piece, the National Portrait Gallery, a Smithsonian Institution, is sending America's first president on this once-in-a-lifetime historical tour. "We are extremely thrilled to be part of this historical and important exhibit and we are very grateful to the Smithsonian for allowing us to host this significant piece of American history," said Marianne Lorenz, LVAM Executive Director. "We feel that this improvement grant will allow us to maximize this exhibit and future exhibits to their fullest potential. This is such a tremendously pivotal time in our country and the museum wants to ensure that all Las Vegans have an opportunity to share in this unique exhibit."
The "Lansdowne" portrait of George Washington is extraordinary and each intricate detail symbolizes the significant and idealist values that America was founded on. Painted in 1796 by Gilbert Stuart, the painting captures an American hero and civic leader to our growing nation. Stuart painted the portrait for William Petty, Lord Shelburne, the first Marquis of Lansdowne, a British supporter of the American cause during the Revolution. The life-size portrait was commissioned as a gift by one of America's wealthiest men, Senator William Bingham and his wife Anne.
"Having been chosen by the Smithsonian for the Lansdowne tour is a wonderful opportunity for the Las Vegas Art Museum. We are pleased to support the LVAM endeavors and happy to help provide the resources to help the museum upgrade their exhibition space," said Steven Anderson, Reynolds Foundation President.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Mr. Reynolds was the founder and principal owner of the Donrey Media Group, which he started in 1940. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the Reynolds Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.
The Las Vegas Art Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is located at 9600 W. Sahara Ave. The Museum's hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays. |