Record Breaking Attendence Press Release

 For Immediate Release Rebecca Heyl Rebecca Heyl Communications rebeccaheyl@cox.net (858) 748-­‐5797 Turnstiles Were Spinning in July at the Timken Museum of Art SAN DIEGO – Despite concerns over the shift to a pedestrian-­‐only Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park, the Timken Museum of Art reported its highest monthly attendance record of all time in July. More than 22,800 people visited the only free admission art museum in the park, 13,000 of which spun the turnstiles during the last two weeks of the month. The surge in attendance came despite being closed on the Fourth of July. “This spike in attendance illustrates the complexity of the issues Balboa Park institutions are facing and how they are all doing their best for their supporters and the public at-­‐large to provide a great experience in the park,” said John Wilson, PhD, director of the Timken. “Other than a handful of parking spots removed from the Plaza de Panama, there is still plenty of parking, so people should come to visit the Timken and the other institutions in Balboa Park!” The Timken’s former record-­‐setting month was December 2008 which featured December Nights and the hugely popular “Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota” exhibition. The Timken is currently featuring Giovanni Battista Moroni’s “Portrait of Mario Benvenuti” from the 1560s which is on loan from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, through September 8. The Timken also recreated its brand identity to better reflect its exquisite collection and landmark mid-­‐
century modern building located in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama. “The Timken provides a uniquely intimate experience of art in one of the most significant small museums in the world,” said Wilson. “As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2015 we wanted our brand to communicate that.” The brand mark is made up of two components, the Timken floret and name. The floret icon was inspired by the floral reliefs that adorn the entrance to the museum. They are part of the building’s original 1965 design. It is used to symbolize the fine art in the Putnam Foundation’s collection. About the Timken The Timken Museum of Art, located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, is the permanent home of the Putnam Foundation’s world-­‐class collection of European and American art and Russian icons. Masterworks in the collection span 700 years of history and range from 14th century altarpieces through 18th century portraits and landscapes to 19th century still lifes. The works of Italian, Dutch, Flemish, French and American painters are represented, including those of Veronese, Guercino, Petrus Christus, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Jacques-­‐Louis David and John Singleton Copley. The collection also includes the only Rembrandt painting on public display in the area. Known as one of the finest small museums in the world, the Timken Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. For more information visit www.timkenmuseum.org; Facebook at Timken Museum of Art or Twitter at @TimkenArtMuseum or call (619) 239-­‐5548.