FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE

February 4, 2008

Contact:          Sarah Suemnig
                        651-266-1039
                        ssuemning@mmaa.org

The Minnesota Museum of American Art presents

Coming of Age: Photographing the Journey

and

Honoring a Generous Spirit: Photographs Donated in Recognition of Jim Czarniecki

Exhibition dates: March 1 through May 18, 2008

St. Paul, MN– The Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) is pleased to announce the opening of two photography exhibitions on view simultaneously. Both exhibitions include the work of local contemporary photographers, some born in Minnesota and others who have had a connection to the photography scene in the Twin Cities.

Coming of Age: Photographing the Journey presents new work from local photographers who examine the physical and psychological transformation from child to adult. The photographs encompass widely-varying journeys, rites of passage and societal pressures, and bring to the forefront the ways in which children and teens look beyond the family for self-definition and experience isolation in our technological age.

Artists Included in the Exhibition:

Evan Baden
Todd Deutsch
Suzanne Kosmalski
Brian Lesteberg
Adriana Rimpel
Angela Strassheim
Katherine Turczan

Honoring a Generous Spirit: Photographs Donated in Recognition of Jim Czarniecki

Arts advocate and humanitarian, Myron James ‘Jim’ Czarniecki III, was the Director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art from 1983-1993. This selection of photographs is from a recent gift by photography historian and curator George Slade to honor the memory of his mentor, fellow photography connoisseur and friend.

Photographs on view from the MJC Photography Collection by:

Tom Arndt
Michal Daniel
Dan Dennehy
William J. Cottman
Susan N. Boecher
Chris Faust
Peter Latner
Peter Martin
Mark Steenerson
Mary Tortorici
Cate Vermeland

Additional artists represented in the MJC Photography Collection: Andrew Baugnet, Aaron J. Bommarito, Stephen M. Dahl, Vance Gellert, Deb Grossfield, Laura Hoyt, Wing Young Huie, Stuart Klipper, Linda Louise Rother and Tema Stauffer.

Opening Party

Saturday, March 1, 2008
7-10pm
Live music by Switzerlind
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and libations from Summit and UV Vodka

$10/$5 MMAA Members

Become a new member the night of the opening and receive 2 complimentary tickets to the party!

ABOUT MMAA

Experience and explore the energy and depth of American visual culture at the Minnesota Museum of American Art in downtown St. Paul. MMAA's Riverfront Gallery at Kellogg Boulevard and Market Street is a place for the traditional and the unconventional. At MMAA the diversity of art and artists—past, present, and emerging—is revealed through visual and performing arts. For more information call 651-266-1030 or visit www.mmaa.org.

Hours:

Tuesday       11am-4pm
Wednesday  11am-4pm
Thursday      11am-8pm
Friday           11am-4pm
Saturday       11am-4pm
Sunday          1-5pm

Closed Monday and Major Holidays

Admission: FREE

For more information:

www.mmaa.org  or 651-266-1030