Valentyna Roenko Simpson, (Ukrainian Americian, 1955) The Blanket for Husband who left His Wife, 2002 Quilt – hand painted silk, cotton fabric, 76 x 53 in

 Exhibitions at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

CALIFORNIA DREAMING:
California Fibers at Convergence 2008
(North Gallery)

TAPESTRIES OF ABRAHAM RATTNER:
Created at the Mambush Artists’ Workshop in Israel
(South Gallery)

Tarpon Springs, FL (Monday, April 7, 2008) –The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art will present two exhibitions opening on June 8, 2008. California Dreaming: California Fibers at Convergence 2008, is a juried exhibition of 42 contemporary fiber arts by 16 members of California Fibers, a professional juried group. Tapestries of Abraham Rattner: Created at the Mambush Artists’ Workshop in Israel is an exhibition of nine tapestries in the permanent collection of the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art. Both exhibitions will be on view through August 3, 2008.

These exhibitions are a complement to Convergence 2008 Tampa Bay, a biennial, international conference. The conference is sponsored and organized by the Handweavers Guild of America, hosted by the Florida TropicalWeavers Guild and will be held June 22 through June 28, 2008.

Special Events

OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 8 to 10 p.m., The Leepa-Rattner Musuem of Art will hold its opening reception. The cost is free to members and $10 for general admission.

LECTURE – CONSERVING TEXTILES
Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 10:30 a.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Marlene Eidelheit, Director of the Textile Conservation Laboratory,The Cathedral of St. John the Divine will speak on the current state of tapestry conservation.  The cost is $15 per visitor or $10 per member of the following: Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art,Handweavers Guild of America, Florida Tropical Weavers Guild and American Tapestry Alliance. 

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art is located just west of U.S. Highway 19 at 600 Klosterman Road, on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free to children and students with ID. Sunday admission is free and docent tours are offered at 2 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Please call ahead for information or directions (727) 712-5762.

Contact: Michelle Weyant, Public Relations Coordinator, (727) 712-5210, lrmapr@spcollege.edu