Peabody Place Museum Announces New Name and Logo
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The Peabody Place Museum announced today that it has changed its name to the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art, to better reflect the unique and extensive collection of art housed at the museum. The museum also unveiled a new logo to correspond with the name, and several new pieces of art. The announcement was made at an event held Sunday at the museum, 119 South Main, and co-sponsored by the Memphis Jewish Historical Society and Bornblum Judaic Studies of The University of Memphis.
“The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art captures the expansive scope of our collection,” said Nancy Knight, museum curator. “The museum is home to hundreds of pieces of art, including a 5,000 square foot gallery devoted entirely to Judaica. Consistently, residents and visitors alike are overwhelmed by the depth of our Asian and Judaic collections.”
Jack Belz, founder of the museum and Leonid Saharovici, president of Peabody Place Museum’s board of directors, hosted the event, and unveiled several new pieces of art, including:
- Aaron In Front of the Golden Menorah, a lithograph by Marc Chagall. A 20th century artist and Holocaust survivor, Chagall is well-known for his work around the world, including windows for the synagogue of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem and murals for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
- Water Carrier and Cello Player, hammered copper pieces by Arieh Merzer. Merzer, sole Holocaust survivor among his 13 siblings, vowed he would commemorate all who died through his art. He became well known for his use of the ancient oriental-Jewish craft of hand-hammering metal, metaloplastics.
The museum boasts an impressive array of Asian art, some dating back as far as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Pieces include works in jade and ivory, and several rare finds collected on the Belz’ excursions around the world. Last year, Chinese film and television producer Wang Yuanfeng donated 80 historical Chinese puppets to the museum. The puppets represent important stories in Chinese folklore, and are on display indefinitely at the museum.
The museum’s collection of Judaica, historical and literal pieces relating to Judaism, reflects the artistic journey of some of Israel’s most celebrated artists, including Dani Kafri, Nicki Imber and Ofra Friedland.
“We are extremely excited about our new name and logo, and honored to welcome several new pieces to our collection,” said Knight. “We encourage everyone to visit the museum to learn about these two cultures, which are so rich in history.”
For more information, please contact the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art at (901) 523-ARTS.
About the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art
Opened in 1998, the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art (formerly the Peabody Place Museum) is home to a world-class collection of 19th century Chinese art and rare Judaic art. The permanent exhibit at the Museum includes objects created for Chinese nobility during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), intricately carved jade sculptures, crafted enamelware pieces, rare objects carved in ivory, and impressive ceremonial and historical pieces. The Museum also has collections of fossils and minerals, contemporary European art glass, Russian lacquer boxes, and more.
The Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art is open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from noon until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For information on special group rates, guided tours, educational programs, teachers' packets and special event room rental, contact the museum at (901) 523-ARTS.
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