Art Museum of West Virginia University docent Art Jacknowitz will discuss a watercolor by Mexican artist Diego Rivera during the next “Lunchtime Looks” program on Wednesday, April 27.

WVU students, faculty and staff, and the general public are invited to bring a brown bag lunch to the Museum Education Center Grand Hall at noon and meet with other art enthusiasts to enjoy their midday meal. At 12:30 p.m., the group will move to the Museum Classroom on the ground floor for a 20-minute, in-depth look at Rivera’s watercolor on rice paper. The artwork was a gift to the museum from Ary “Bucky” and Constance “Connie” de Vries.

Audience members will have a chance to share their own reactions and questions about Rivera’s work.

The session will end by 12:50 p.m., so that those who need to get back to their offices will have plenty of time. Anyone who can’t get away for the entire hour is welcome to meet the group in the museum at 12:30 p.m. for just the art presentation.

Considered the greatest Mexican painter of the 20th century, Diego Rivera (1886-1957) has had a long lasting effect on the world of art.

“In this season of political discourse involving the country of Mexico and its citizens, it is noteworthy that Rivera had radical political views and felt that the foundation of history could be seen in the struggles of the working class,” Dr. Jacknowitz said. “The Art Museum of West Virginia University is fortunate to have in its collection one of his works. Although untitled and undated, it vividly depicts the life and social status of indigenous peoples.”

Art Jacknowitz was one of 12 members of the inaugural class of docents at the Art Museum of WVU after it opened last August. He is professor emeritus and Arthur I. Jacknowitz Distinguished Chair emeritus of Clinical Pharmacy at WVU. Before his retirement, he was chair of Clinical Pharmacy for almost 16 years (1985-2001) and also served as director of the WVU Drug Information Center for 11 years.

To recognize his teaching, scholarship and service for more than a quarter century to WVU, a former student endowed a Distinguished Chair in his honor in 2001 and he was named the first occupant. He retired at the end of the 2012 academic year after 38 years of service to WVU. He received the Heebink Award for state service, was named Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer by the WVU Foundation and was inducted into the Order of Vandalia.

Since his retirement, Jacknowitz remains connected to the Morgantown community and the university. At the School of Pharmacy he is a student mentor and coordinates the student ambassador program. He is also a member of the WVU Faculty Senate, representing retired faculty, and serves as vice president of the board of the WVU Retirees Association Steering Committee.

The Art Museum and Museum Education Center are located near the corner of Patteson Drive and Morrill Way at the Evansdale Campus North Entrance.

Parking is available in short-term lots ST-1 and ST-9, with pay stations, one located near Patteson Drive and the other near the new Evansdale Crossing building.

For more information about the Lunchtime Looks program, contact the Art Museum of WVU at (304) 292-4359.

-WVU-

04/19/2016

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, Art Museum of WVU
304.293.4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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