KPLU Local News
(2010-03-09)
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Bellamy Pailthorp photo
Seattle is the first stop in the U.S. for one of the most comprehensive Picasso exhibitions ever to travel outside Paris. It features more than 150 works of art - making it about twice the size of most shows at SAM.
"This is a really big exhibition at a time when most museums can't contemplate doing these kinds of big expensive shows," says museum director Derrick Cartwright.
Despite economic challenges, he says SAM is holding its own.
They've had to cut their hours, staying closed on Tuesdays as well as Mondays. But two major sponsors stepped up right away to help underwrite the Picasso show: Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase.
Cartwright says the exhibit has potential to generate revenue, not just for the museum, but for other businesses downtown as well.
"Do we hope that it will be so successful that people will be lined up and coming at all hours to this place," he says. "Absolutely. I think it's the kind of show that merits that support."
He says they're planning to re-open on Tuesdays in anticipation of high interest. The show recently drew record crowds in Helsinki, Finland. It will come here from St Petersburg, Russia in October.
The exhibit will be open from October 8, 2010-January 9, 2011
For more details visit the Seattle Art Museum's website.
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