Seattle Art Museum: Press Release

Contact: Calandra Childers, SAM Public Relations
(206) 654-3147; email: PR@SeattleArtMuseum.org

Sweet Trinkets from SAM SHOP for Valentine’s Day Offer Something for Everyone

SEATTLE, February 1, 2008 – Romance abounds in the SAM Shop for those looking for Valentine’s Day tokens for their loved ones. The SAM SHOP downtown, with 2,000 more square feet in its newly expanded space, is fully stocked with a range of gifts. Choose from elegant items, such as delicate porcelain vases, cast from antique bottles and decorated with hand-applied stencils ($25-60) or a set of Big Love Spoons – the perfect piece of cutlery to share a delicious dessert ($13). Mercury Glass Candleholders ($26) will add ambience to your romantic evening and can be placed on a washable, reusable, hot-pink doily (a bargain at $4.75).

Jewelry is always appropriate, and SAM SHOP has a number of different designers. Currently featured is gemstone jewelry designed by Shamila Jiwa ($64-165). Fabulously feminine earrings and necklaces showcasing exceptional quality gems are sure to please.

A variety of beautiful coffee table books and catalogues are also available, including those for the current exhibition: The Gates of Paradise: Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Renaissance Masterpiece ($25) and the upcoming Roman Art from the Louvre ($55-65).

You can also give a gift certificate to the SAM Gallery - the museum’s Rental and Sales Gallery. The gallery offers affordable opportunities for SAM members to live with art in their homes and businesses by renting or buying from the gallery. It features quality artworks with a focus on contemporary Northwest art and artists from diverse ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds, and varies from painting, drawings, collage, limited-edition prints, mixed media, photography and sculpture.

If a one-size-fits-all gift is needed, consider a membership to SAM. Whether shopping for a single person or a family, a SAM membership includes free admission to all three sites, and special opportunities to see upcoming exhibitions Roman Art from the Louvre and Inspiring Impressionism first and for free. Memberships range in price from $30 for students, $35 for seniors; $60 for individuals; $75 for dual and $85 for a family. SAM Members get 15% off when buying gift memberships for others. SAM gift memberships can be purchased at all three sites, at seattleartmuseum.org or by calling 206-654-3180.

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