Transparent Watercolor Society of America Makes Hurricane-Relief Donation to New Orleans Museum of Art

A cash donation from a national watercolor organization will help fund restoration efforts at the New Orleans Museum of Art, still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 19, 2006 -- The Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA) recently made a $300 cash donation to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) to aid restoration from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

"The destruction was so severe and so physical that there are many who lose sight of the fact that our country's art museums act as food for the soul, providing hope and sustenance for the emotional loss that hinders the spirit to rebuild," said TWSA President Nia Pirnat-Dressler.

NOMA, located in New Orleans between Lake Pontchartrain and the levies of the Mississippi River, was hard-hit by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Museum was forced to close for repairs for six months, re-opening on March 3, 2006.

"NOMA is making steady progress in recovering from Katrina," reported E. John Builare, the Montine McDaniel Freeman director of NOMA. "While the art collections survived unscathed, the building and sculpture garden did suffer some structural damage. Our successful fundraising efforts inside and outside of Louisiana have allowed us to reopen the Museum, although for only three days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) for now and with only one third of our pre-Katrina staff."

Beginning June 7, the New Orleans Museum of Art will be open five days a week Wednesday through Sunday.

The Transparent Watercolor Society of America is a national organization of artists who work in transparent watercolor. Founded in 1976, TWSA boasts over 1,000 members from across the United States and Canada. The Society's 30th annual juried exhibition is currently on display at the Elmhurst Museum of Art ( www.elmhurstartmuseum.org ) in Elmhurst, IL. The show features 80 works in transparent watercolor and runs through July 2.

For more information about the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, including exhibition and membership information, please visit www.watercolors.org. For information about the New Orleans Museum of Art or to make a donation, please visit www.NOMA.org . Donations to the Museum can also be made by mail at: NOMA, Katrina Fund, PO Box 19123, New Orleans, LA 70179.

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