[TheForge] Fw: Villa Terrace Officials Pursuing Colnik Archival Material

Wed Aug 14 14:01:00 2002

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Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 12:36 PM
Subject: Fw: Villa Terrace Officials Pursuing Colnik Archival Material

FYI.......Please pass this message on to others who can help.  Thanks
again......Dan Nauman
----- Original Message -----
From: Jennifer Piggins
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:@mail3.mx.voyager.net;
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 10:33 AM
Subject: Villa Terrace Officials Pursuing Colnik Archival Material

August 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer L. Piggins
Manager of Marketing and Programs
Charles Allis Art Museum
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
414-278-8295
[email protected]

Rare Cyril Colnik Collection In Potential Peril
Recently Discovered Archival Material Could Be Lost from Milwaukee Forever
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - August 14, 2002 - A rare archive of Cyril Colnik
materials that are a vital part of our city's history has recently been
uncovered.  Colnik was a master ironworker who emigrated from Austria to
Milwaukee after exhibiting his work at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.
Pointing to the many potential commissions the craftsman would glean and the
friendly German-speaking community that existed here, Captain Frederick
Pabst convinced Colnik to settle in Milwaukee.
This archive - comprised of 288 original sketches, 99 photographs, 135
blueprints, correspondence, diaries, and more - is under threat because it
could be dismantled and lost from Milwaukee forever through sale to an
outside collector.  "Losing this archival material would be a great
detriment to our fight to preserve Milwaukee's cultural heritage," stated
Jim Temmer, Executive Director for the Charles Allis and Villa Terrace
Museums.  "With so many important Colnik works in the Villa Terrace
collection, and at key historical sites around the city, it is absolutely
imperative that this body of work remain in Milwaukee."  Along with
officials from the Pabst Mansion and the Milwaukee County Historical
Society, Temmer is leading the effort to keep the Colnik archival cache in
Milwaukee because of his strong conviction that this material, combined with
the Villa Terrace Colnik collection, greatly enhances our understanding of
one of our most talented craftsmen.
People all over the country with either ties to Milwaukee or a passion for
wrought iron as an important art form are getting involved.  Dan Nauman, one
of the three talented ironworkers who produced the magnificent Neptune Gate
that graces the Lincoln Memorial end of the Villa Terrace garden, has really
championed this cause amongst the nation's blacksmiths.  "Right now I am
working to get the word out there, to raise awareness and ask for pledges of
support," said Nauman.  "There has already been an overwhelming response
from people who want to help because they realize that time is of the
essence and the collection truly belongs in Milwaukee, ideally at the Villa
Terrace."
Colnik was arguably one of the best ironworkers in the history of that
time-honored craft.  And we can pay homage to one of our most gifted
citizens by preserving the legacy of his work in the city he chose to call
home.  To make a pledge or to find out how you can get involved in the
effort to keep the Colnik archives in Milwaukee, please call Jennifer
Piggins at 414-278-8295 ext. 16.
About the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is an
Italian Renaissance-style villa designed and built by architect David Adler
in 1923.  The building was originally the residence of the family of Lloyd
Smith of the A.O. Smith Corporation.  The Villa Terrace features fine and
decorative arts dating from the 15th - the 18th centuries, wrought-iron
masterpieces by Cyril Colnik, and new formal gardens.  Located at 2220 North
Terrace Avenue, the museum is part of the Milwaukee County War Memorial
complex and a partner of the Charles Allis Art Museum (1801 North Prospect
Avenue).  Open hours for the Charles Allis Art Museum are Wednesdays from
1-9 pm, and Thursday through Sunday from 1 - 5pm.  Admission is $5.00 for
adults, $3.00 for people over 65 and students with a valid ID, and FREE for
museum members and children under 13 years of age.  The Villa Terrace has
been open on a limited basis due to a fire that occurred on May 21, 2002 but
will resume regular hours after a grand re-opening celebration beginning at
6pm on September 4, 2002.  For more information on the September 4th event,
or for general inquiries please call 414-278-8295 or visit our website at
http://www.villaterracemuseum.org.
Photos available upon request.