by Jessica Del Curto
Daily Lobo
The chance to see original works of art by painters like Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh or Matisse, may have been a rare opportunity for many New Mexicans - until now.
Starting Oct. 5 and running through Jan. 4, a collection of 64 paintings from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, Scotland, will be making a stop at the Albuquerque Museum.
The exhibit, "Millett to Matisse," will feature paintings from 19th and 20th-century French impressionist artists such as Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Edward Degas.
Only six venues in the nation will house this exhibition before it returns to Scotland and Albuquerque is very lucky to be one of them, said Leslie Venzuela, director of marketing and public relations for the Albuquerque Museum.
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"An exhibit like this costs the museum several hundred thousand to bring in," she said. "And the museum's budget can't afford that."
To make this exhibit possible, the Museum Foundation and community members made donations to provide funds along with a few grants.
"Not one particular group had to take on the whole cost of the show, so it made it much more affordable," Venzuela said.
She said everyone can benefit from this show, including college students and art history classes.
"This is quality art and I don't think you can see too much of that - no matter where you are from," Venzuela said.
Because the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is currently under renovation, the "Millet to Matisse" collection was sent to other museums to ensure that no damage would be done to the priceless pieces.
"The response to this has been really quite amazing," Venzuela said. "Opening day will probably be crazy, and APS tours are almost already filled up."
She said security will be increased. Most pieces usually come with their own alarms.
Students with ID will be admitted at regular price.
