Treasures Under the Tree: Holiday Toy Exhibit at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Corning, N.Y. - Beginning November 26, 2012 and running through December 31, 2012, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art will be transformed into a Western Wonderland, including a special Holiday Toy Exhibit in the Remington and Russell Lodge. Visitors are invited to travel back through time to see treasures under the tree. The holiday exhibit will feature a selection of children's vintage toys and memorabilia from the Victorian Era, and also will include selections from the 1920's and 1950's. A holiday tree, adorned with Victorian ornaments, will set the scene for the celebration of treasures under the tree on the Western stoned-faced hearth in The Remington and Russell Lodge.  Some visitors may recall memories of the "Rockwell Toy Collection" that Bob and Hertha Rockwell collected during their lifetimes.  While no longer on permanent display, the holiday season is the perfect time to bring selected objects back for the community to enjoy. A special Holiday Art Hunt will be available throughout the month of December for young visitors to enjoy in the galleries. All gallery activities are free of charge and kids and teens are free (19 & under). The Museum is open to the public seven days a week; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Kids and teens (19 and under) are free.  The Museum is offering "Free Sundays" now through April 2013.  Membership to the Museum includes yearlong free admission.  For more information, please visit us online at http://www.rockwellmuseum.org/. Holiday Activities at the Rockwell Treasures Under the Tree: Holiday Toy Exhibit November 26, 2012 - December 31, 2012 Visitors are invited to travel back through time to see treasures under the tree. This holiday exhibit will feature a selection of children's vintage toys and memorabilia from the Victorian Era, as well as selections from the 1920's and 1950's.  A holiday tree, adorned with Victorian ornaments, will set the scene for the celebration of treasures under the tree on the Western stoned-faced hearth in The Remington and Russell Lodge.  Some visitors may recall memories of the "Rockwell Toy Collection" that Bob and Hertha Rockwell collected during their lifetimes.  While no longer on permanent display, the holiday season is the perfect time to bring selected objects back for the community to enjoy. Family Sparkle:  Art Activities, Gallery Art Hunts....and more! Saturday, December 1, 2012 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Rockwell Museum of Western Art is joining the Sparkle weekend festivities by offering activities that are fun for the whole family! Use your imagination to design a colorful bird puppet, play Bison Bingo, and search the Museum to complete a fun holiday Art Hunt! Learn about the Artistic Process with our interactive Art Cart! Kids can learn about the parts of a painting by creating their own magnetic masterpiece and can also explore a variety of traditional art making materials. Contact the Education Department at 607.974.4707 with questions. Free and open to the public! One-Day Only Special Silver Jewelry Sale December 1, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Rockwell Museum of Western Art is hosting a special silver jewelry sale with owners Krysia and Miguel Estrada with jewelry from silversmiths in Taxco, Mexico.  Since 1997, Krystna's Silver has worked closely with artists whose handmade work is inspired by their rich culture and century's old tradition of silverwork.  Krystna's Silver also specializes in one-of-a-kind contemporary pieces set with beautiful stones from around the world.  The Museum Trading Post will be open with a wide variety of unique Western themed gifts for everyone. FREE Sundays! No admission fee on Sundays now through April 2013 Visitors to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art can visit for free on Sundays under the "FREE Sundays" promotion - a special admission program that will run through the end of April 2013. All of the Museum's galleries and exhibitions are included in the free admission program.  Of course, Kids & Teens are always free, 19 & under.  Kids Rock at the Rockwell! Free Family Fun! Daily Interactive Activities There is no additional fee for the following interactive activities: Explore the West Activity Booklet - Young buckaroos will explore the Museum through fun activities!  Participate in a hide-and-go-seek game, learn about real cowboys, and draw a horse! Art Hunt - Young visitors match an artist's drawing to images found in the paintings and objects throughout the galleries!  ArtPack Activity - The ArtPack program offers backpacks filled with creative activities, puzzles, games and more! The ArtPack is a young trailblazer's guide to the Museum! Travel Journal - Visitors become explorers, traveling through the American West - drawing and writing about the animals and places seen in the artwork. Use a spyglass to see every detail of the Western landscapes. Now on View!  National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West On display through September 15, 2013 National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West represents the first time a photography exhibition of this magnitude has opened at so many U.S. venues simultaneously. The exhibition presents a powerful and nuanced portrait of the West over more than a century, and it's exciting that the medium of photography allows multiple openings across the country for greater impact in sharing the combined vision of such an important group of photographers. About the Rockwell Museum of Western Art Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District.  For more information, please visit http://www.rockwellmuseum.org/, or become a fan on Facebook!

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Contact: Brett Smith 607.974.2333 smithb@rockwellmuseum.org