New Art for Princeton + Art Museum Store Gifts
december 2022 - 3Rd edition
Window to The Bay #33
Happy Holidays! You may have noticed that this is the third Window to The Bay news announcement this December! There have been so many exciting holiday projects to announce, from the Nutcracker print pajamas at Sammy+Nat and SF Ballet Store, to the public art Ornament Trail at Union Square, that each deserved their own feature! I’m delighted to share that it’s been a wonderful fall season of new art and merchandise at Princeton! First, a Window to The Bay watercolor commission for the Princeton Department of Art & Archaeology fall newsletter cover, and then new orders of Princeton greeting cards and coasters for the Princeton Art Museum Store, notably a set of tiger greeting cards by my seven year old son, Evan!
a watercolor portrait commission for the princeton department of art & Archaeology of mccormick hall
This fall I painted a commission for the Princeton University Department of Art & Archaeology that was near and dear to my heart as an alumnae of the program. The watercolor landmark portrait of McCormick Hall, the longtime home of the department until very recently, became the cover art for the A&A Department’s annual newsletter, and the framed keepsake art will hang in their new office when the new art museum and department headquarters designed by Sir David Adjaye opens (read more about the exciting campus architectural project here). As wonderful and state of the art that the new building will surely be, the beautiful Gothic revival styled McCormick Hall building by architect Ralph Adams Cram, the same architect as the University Chapel, will always hold a special place in the nostalgic hearts of the staff and students who spent time there. I feel so honored to have been asked to paint this keepsake portrait as a visual artifact of Princeton Art History’s history! It was touching to paint the portrait in loving memory of the long time Department Manager, Susan Love Lehre, who appears painted on the bench in front of the building. Coincidentally, my husband, Brian, and I met in art history class on campus in McCormick Hall which makes the building and the painting extra special for me to paint!
In the spirit of art history, I documented the making of the painting with audio explanations of the different stages of the project like never before. I even wore 15 years worth of Princeton Reunions costumes for design history fun - follow Laura Ann Studio Instagram for the behind the scenes reels!
now available at the princeton art museum store
Laura Ann Studio has a very special featured artist! I’m so proud of my seven year old son, Evan, and grateful to the buyers at the Princeton Art Museum Store for giving Evan his first wholesale order as a young artist! When the kids and I were home sick with COVID in July in the midst of Laura Ann Studio holiday art production, we painted Nutcracker tigers together using watercolor colored pencils as a quarantine activity. When I shared Evan’s COVID Nutcracker art in conversation with the Princeton Art Museum Store on a Zoom call and they wanted them, Evan was so excited! It reminded me of the excitement I felt at the same age with my first art product, a contest winning painting on the cover of a calendar sold through the Indianapolis Symphony. I hope the experience gives him confidence and encouragement for a lifelong love of art!
Also available at the Princeton Art Museum Store this holiday season are restocked campus landmark watercolor greeting cards, marble coasters, magnets, and the ongoing sale of the Princeton Color-On Coloring Book! Visit the online store to find a last minute stocking stuffer for the tiger in your life, or call or visit the store to purchase Evan’s Nutcracker Tiger cards!
Princeton Art Museum Store
56 Nassau Street, Palmer Square - Princeton, NJ
PHONE: 609.258.5600
princetonmuseumstore.org
Thank you to Ilene Squires Photography for these memorable photos with Evan of his first art sale. Happy holidays!
With love for the every day and special days,
Laura Ann Trimble Elbogen
P.S. Do you have Princeton spirited friends and family who would enjoy these cards and gifts? Forward this post!
