Museum to Get 30 Art Pieces

The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard is one of 29 museums to receive artwork from the Peter and Eileen Norton collection.

The collection will be donating 1,000 pieces--valued at $2 million--to museums all over the country.

Many of the 30 works of art going to the Carnegie are from younger artists. They are in a variety of mediums--from wood shavings to metal and fabric, according to Suzanne Bellah, director of the Carnegie Art Museum.

“These are very abstract, cutting-edge works,” she said. “Our collection has been strong in impressionist landscapes and this will allow us to reach a whole other side of art.”

The exhibit of California artists, called Defining the Sublime: Gifts from the Eileen and Peter Norton Collection, will be on exhibit from Sept. 23 through Dec. 26.

The Nortons, who are among the world’s top collectors, are giving away 40% of their collection. The gift is just one of many philanthropic donations from the Nortons over the past decade.

“This has been very thoughtfully packaged for us,” Bellah said, noting the inclusion of Latino and multicultural artists.

“This will help a small museum grow and allow the community to be more aware of what we have here. We are very honored to be included with some very prestigious museums.”