Famed Artist Featured During a "Live" Installation at Albuquerque Museum of Art & History

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 30, 2011. Internationally renowned artist Gronk, whose real name is Glugio Nicandro, will be at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History from July 19 through July 30 to paint a site-specific and temporary wall painting. During the installation, visitors will have the opportunity to engage the artist in discussion to learn more about his artistic process. 

Unlike most artists who prefer painting in the privacy of their studio, Gronk is happy to have people watch and ask questions about his work while he paints. At the end of the exhibition period, the mural will be painted over and will exist only in the museum visitor's memory. 

"We are so pleased to offer to our visitors the chance to interact with Gronk as he paints at the Museum," said Albuquerque Museum director, Cathy Wright. "Not only is he a major artist on the world stage, but he is a great educator and nothing livens up a Museum more than a great artist in residence."

Gronk has been designing the set for this summer's Santa Fe Opera production of Vivaldi's Griselda directed by the critically acclaimed opera director, Peter Sellars. After the production opens on July 16, the artist will be in residence at the Albuquerque Museum for two weeks creating a monumental mural in the Museum's Special Events space. In addition to creating paintings, prints and drawings included in major museum collections throughout the country, Gronk has created and presented performances and lectures around the globe.

Gronk, along with will critically acclaimed opera director Peter Sellars, will be the featured speakers for the July Third Thursday special panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. Third Thursdays are a new museum program offering expanded hours and free admission to the public on the third Thursday of each month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. July's Third Thursday program is sponsored by Kleinfeld Commercial Brokerage. This talk is presented by The Albuquerque Museum, The Santa Fe Opera and Opera Southwest.

###

The mission of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a visitor and convention destination. For more information, please call 505.842.9918 or visit our web site at www.itsatrip.org.