NEWS RELEASE February 6, 2012

For release: Immediately

Event date: March 18

Contact: Michele Nielsen, Curator of History, 9000307-2669 ext. 240

Museum to Offer ArtMuse Photo Shoot and Art Making Day

Staff at the County Museum are looking for "passers-by" to populate a photo mural for use in upcoming ArtMuse programs. An art-making activity will also be on hand. Visitors will create soft sculptures inspired by the cubist work of Pablo Picasso. Additional photo op "settings" will round out the day’s activities. This event will take place Sunday March 18, from 2 to 5:00 pm. All activities are included with regular Museum admission.

"This activity is part of our ArtMuse program," said Michele Nielsen, curator of history. "We like to have members of our community participate in a variety of ways."

Visitors who come to the shoot will populate the background of a "photo-opp mural," which will be located in the Museum’s Crossroads in Time gallery. The mural will be background for visitors to enjoy as a fun photo opportunity during their visits.

"We thought, why not let our visitors populate the background of the mural," said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. "We hope they will come back to see themselves in the mural, and enjoy knowing that other visitors will capture them in their visit photos."

Participants are encouraged to come dressed to express their personal style. "We want participants to enjoy dressing in attire that expresses who they are and how they like to be seen," said Nielsen. "Have fun!"

The event is part of ArtMuse, a two-year program including art-making, evening social events and creative expression funded by The James Irvine Foundation. Information about more upcoming events can be found at