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Recent Development News
(January 2008)

Pacific Asia Museum Membership

• Campaign for the Future
• Conservation and Restoration

Other News

• Introducing Kendall Brown, Ph.D.
• Festival of the Autumn Moon
• New Partnership with Kidspace Children's Museum
• Be a Docent at Pacific Asia Museum
• Invitation to Join an Arts Council
• About Art Donations (Word doc:29k)
• Links to Other Institutions

Campaign for the Future Reaches $3.6 Million
Kresge Foundation Grant Challenges the Community to Contribute and Complete the Campaign in 2008

With more than 85% of the $4.2 million goal raised, the museum has already been able to improve our visitors’ experience with a new Gallery of Japanese Art, renovated lobby and store, and more performances, lectures, tours and workshops. We have also been able to invest in conservation of our historic building.

In 2008, campaign gifts will enable improvement of climate control in all galleries and updated fire detection throughout the building. The most dramatic improvement, however, will be the opening of Journeys: The Silk Road, an interactive learning space for all ages.

Conceptual drawing of the new Silk Road Exploration Gallery, opening in 2008.

The Kresge Foundation awarded the museum $300,000 as a challenge grant to help fund these projects, while increasing the level of community involvement. Demonstrate your support by calling David Spiro at 626–449–2742 ext. 28 to learn more about ways to give.

VISIONARY GIFTS	SUPPORTING GIFTS
$500,000 and above Ahmanson Foundation	up to $10,000 Temo and Dogdoe Arjani Elaine Barchan Catherine Benkaim Susan Bienkowski and Wang Lee Bruce and Anne Blomstrom Anita Brandow Laureen Chang and Peter Brockett Yvonne Chang Chinese Arts Council of Pacific Asia    Museum Consulate General of Japan in    Los Angeles Lisa and Elton Davis Nancy Neal Davis Docent Council of Pacific Asia Museum Norman and Nan Flette Victoria Floyd Cathleen Godzik, M.D. Catherine Heron and Al Schneider Sally and Bill Hurt Sid Jordan Glenn Keller Carol and Richard King Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles Elizabeth Lent Margaret Leong and Michael Checca Stephen Lesser, in honor    of Margo and Hans Ries June and Simon Li Joan Marshall Sally and Ron McKay Kurt Meyer and Pamela Deuel Meyer Prof. Milton Meyer Nichi Bei Fujin Kai Kathleen C. Peck Peggy Phelps Mr. and Mrs. Winn Schey Elizabeth Short, M.D.and     Michael Friedman, M.D. Billie Spinat and William Gass David Spiro Margaret Stevenson Louise and Kenneth Tang Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies Hsiao-Ling Ting and Patrick Perry Martha and Roy Tolles Sue Tsao Western Asset Management Tracy and James Winkler Tana Wong
LEADERSHIP GIFTS
$200,00 to $499,999 Ayrshire Foundation Kresge Foundation Louisa Martineau Trust Toshie and Frank Mosher Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
MAJOR GIFTS
$100,000 to $199,999 Georgianna and Paul Erskine Patricia Ayers Gallucci Mr. and Mrs. Tracy A. Pulvers Joan and Arnold Travis Pearl Wang Trust
KEY GIFTS
$25,000 to $99,999 Sofia Adamson, in memory    of George Adamson Neta and John Armagost Anna and Dana Bresnahan George and Marilyn Brumder E. Rhodes and Leona B.    Carpenter Foundation Sally Daily Getty Foundation Priscilla and Nelson Gibbs George and Marcia Good Institute of Museum and    Library Services National Endowment for the Arts Maria Low Way Violet Ouyang Pasadena Community Foundation Joan Payden Maiya Penberthy Robert Sunghyuk Sheen Tadashi Shoji Weingart Foundation Anonymous (3)
ADVANCEMENT GIFTS	MATCHING GIFTS
$10,000 to $24,999 Edgardo and Lucy Arcinue Peter and Elaine Adams Ann and Olin Barrett Margaret and David Barry Susan and Robert Bishop Bill and Claire Bogaard Camilla Frost Sam and Muffy Hunt Stephen A. Kanter, MD Mr. and Mrs. William Lim Alan Long Maria McLay Molly Munger Setsuko Oka Angelyn and Ralph Riffenburgh Erika and Ken Riley Wallis Foundation Katharine Audrey Webb Foundation Anonymous	Boeing Capital Group Companies Deutsche Bank Millipore Foundation Donors as of June 1, 2007 If you are age 70 1/2 or older, you may make cash gifts totaling up to $100,000 a year from your traditional or Roth IRA to qualified charities without incurring income tax on the withdrawal. This special provision expires on December 31, 2007, so you must act soon to take full advantage for yourself and for the museum. Contact us for more information.

before

after

Conservation and Restoration
As part of the Campaign for the Future, a number of decorative elements of the historic building are being conserved and restored.

The relief carvings surrounding the large windows in the courtyard depicting dragons amidst clouds may have been salvaged from a 19th century temple in China. These were probably purchased by Grace Nicholson from a local antiques dealer and installed here when she built her Oriental Treasure House in the 1920s.

Last fall, Griswold Conservation Associates determined that the original background was rose with gilded relief carvings. After removing flaking paint areas and applying a sealant to resist against further weathering, they repainted the background and lightly gilded the raised carvings to create an aged patina. The result dramatically transforms not only these beautiful sculptures, but the entire courtyard garden.

This project was generously supported by a special contribution from George and Marcia Good. The Goods are longtime supporters of the museum as volunteers, advocates and donors. Their gift of modern Japanese prints to the collection was featured in the exhibition From Heart to Hand, and they have made a major unrestricted gift to the Campaign for the Future.

Abigail Deras of Griswold Conservation Associates

Kendall Brown, Ph.D.

Introducing Kendall Brown, Ph.D.
Curator of Exhibitions, Programs and Collections
Previously consulting curator of Japanese art for Pacific Asia Museum, Ken Brown now joins the museum as Curator of Exhibitions, Programs and Collections. Dr. Brown holds a joint appointment at California State University, Long Beach as Associate Professor, Department of Art.

Dr. Brown received his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has published three books: “Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints,” “Japanese Style Gardens of the Pacific West Coast” and “The Politics of Reclusion: Painting & Power in Momoyama Japan” in addition to numerous articles and exhibition catalogues. His most recent exhibitions at Pacific Asia Museum have been Reflections of Beauty: Women from Japan’s Floating World (2006) and The Occupations of Showa Japan: The Woodblock Prints of Wada Sanzo (2004).

January 27, 2pm Member Event: Special reception to meet Pacific Asia Museum’s new Curator of Exhibitions, Programs, and Collections, Dr. Ken Brown. Learn about plans for future exhibitions and his vision for the display and interpretation of the permanent collection. Call ext. 37 to R.S.V.P. or become a member.

Festival of the Autumn Moon
Art lovers, museum friends and patrons raised more than $280,000 at the 30th Festival of the Autumn Moon on Saturday, October 20, 2007, held at The California Club. The gala event featured a silent auction, an elegant three-course meal, dancing to the sounds of Art Deco and his Orchestra, a live auction of Asian art and antiques (all donated to support the museum) as well as luxury items donated by le bijou jewelers of Pasadena and Viking River Cruises.

Executive Director Joan Marshall recognized community leaders, museum friends and philanthropists Sid and Betsey Tyler, and Arnold and Joan Travis. Also featured during the program was the recently-aired episode of Huell Howser’s “California’s Gold” program dedicated to Pacific Asia Museum; all guests got a DVD of the show to take home.

A special “paddle auction” was held to raise matching funds for a $300,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant that the museum was awarded in September. Auctioneer Joel Athey and museum docents Susan Bishop and Joyce Kelly inspired the guests to contribute nearly $25,000 to support education at the museum. The event, one of the most successful in recent years, was expertly organized by Festival Co-Chairs Glenn Keller and Nancy Neal Davis.

From top to bottom: Co-Chairs Nancy Neal Davis and Glenn Keller; Docents Susan Bishop and Joyce Kelly; Drs. Ananth and Margaret Natarajan; Peg Palmer and son Jeffrey Palmer; Suzanne Adams celebrates her winning bid; Service Council Volunteers

New Partnership with KidSpace Children’s Museum
We are launching a new partnership with KidSpace Children’s Museum. This fall at Kidspace, children will be creating original art inspired by the exhibit Rank and Style: Power Dressing in Imperial China. Watch for these great works of art to be on display in Pacific Asia Museum’s own Foyer Gallery! Participants at our November 3 Free Family Festival will be given discounted registration for Kidspace’s 20th Annual Rose Bud Parade on December 8, and watch for special Pacific Asia Museum programming at the “12 Days of Kidspace,” December 26-January 6. This is just the beginning of a beautiful friendship, so watch for more great collaborative programs – and bring the kids!

Be a Docent at Pacific Asia Museum
Docents perform important volunteer work at Pacific Asia Museum, supporting the museum’s educational mission by leading gallery tours for groups visiting the museum.

Docent training involves a serious commitment to learning about the arts of Asia. No special skills are required; any that are needed will be taught to the newcomer on site.

The Docent Council is now actively recruiting a new class of docents to begin training for the rewarding work of being a Pacific Asia Museum Docent. In addition to a thorough training and course of study, a two-year commitment is required. Orientation is scheduled for May 29, and the training lecture series begins September 18.

Applications are available here (PDF: 63K, 2 pages) or by calling 626-449-2742, ext. 23.

Invitation to Join an Arts Council
Pacific Asia Museum’s Arts Councils are a great way to get involved with the museum and to contribute to the community. The members of the Arts Councils share an interest in the arts, cultures, and peoples of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The councils take trips to interesting places in and around Los Angeles, organize cultural programs at Pacific Asia Museum, and provide invaluable volunteer support and resources for special events.

For example, Japanese Arts Council is now assisting the curatorial staff with the Festival of Japanese Art & Style, and has been involved in planning the month-long series of events. Membership in one of the museum’s Arts Councils is just $25. You must also be a member of Pacific Asia Museum to join an Arts Council. There are eight active councils: Chinese, Japanese, Pakistan, Himalayan, Korean, Philippine, Myanmar, and Thai. Call the membership office today at ext. 37 to learn more about becoming a member of one of these essential Arts Councils!

Links to Other Institutions

Pacific Asia Museum Membership

Recent Development News (October 2007)
(July 2007)
(April 2007)
(January 2007)
(October 2006)
(August 2006)
(May 2006)
(March 2006)
(January 2006)

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