DeVos Museum Opens

A reception celebrating the first exhibit in NMU's new DeVos Art Museum is scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. Local band Combo Caliente will provide live Latin music to complement the flavor of the exhibit, which is titled “Contemporary Painting of Latin America.”

The DeVos Art Museum, made possible with support from the DeVos Foundation, is attached to the art and design complex near Spooner Hall at the end of Seventh Street. It is comprised of two galleries. One is 2,500 square feet and will feature the work of national artists and students. The other is 2,000 square feet and will showcase the university's permanent collection, which ranges from Japanese art to early 20th century illustration.

“This new facility gives us the opportunity to expand art at NMU and showcase not only the department, but what we can do as an art museum” said Wayne Francis, museum director.

“Contemporary Painting of Latin America” runs through April 10. It features young artists from countries including Cuba, Brazil and Argentina. The works come from Gary Nader Fine Arts of Coral Gables, Fla.

“I’ve wanted to do a Latin American show for a long time,” said Francis. “The modern movement was arguably begun in the early part of this century by Diego Rivera of Mexico. His work gained worldwide recognition and set the stage for a long line of painters. This show will provide a survey of the contemporary Latin American art scene."

The exhibition is sponsored by the John and June Jamrich Endowment for the Arts. Regular gallery hours are

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.