[MSN] Madison, Wi, Paintings stolen right off the wall

[MSN]

Paintings stolen 'right off the wall'
Katjusa Cisar
Special to The Capital Times  —  5/08/2008 4:01 pm 

In what may be a first in Madison, two paintings were stolen "right off the
wall" at a Monroe Street gallery last Friday evening.
The search continues for the thief, who onlookers say left Ma Cha Teahouse
and Gallery with the artwork around 8:30 p.m.
Artist Nina Bednarski had been enjoying a mellow but crowded opening
reception for her show "Endangered Beauty" when she noticed that two small
paintings were missing and called the police. As the responding officer
filed a report, many in the crowd of about 25 speculated on who had looked
"suspicious," but no one could make a definitive description of the thief or
a possible accomplice.
"It was super 'Pink Panther,'" Bednarski said the next day. "I was so angry.
You don't steal art -- maybe you steal food or clothes."
Bednarski's opening reception was one of 58 receptions happening around the
city for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art's Gallery Night, which has
been running twice yearly for several years now.
This case of art theft is a first, according to Tracy Marks-Geib, who helped
coordinate Gallery Night. "It's really shocking," she said.
Ma Cha Gallery director Rachel Fox said the two pieces, worth $300, are a
financial loss for the gallery, not the artist.
Fox remembers seeing a couple of suspicious-looking guests at the reception,
but added that this is common for an opening: "Honestly, there are a lot of
people there just to eat."
This is the first theft she's seen "right off the wall." When she first
opened the gallery, a pair of earrings went missing, and later a sculpture
was stolen from the front lawn on a Badger football game day ("I'm sure it's
on some frat's lawn").
One painting depicts a fireplace with fish in it; the other is of flowers.
Bednarski said the paintings were special because she had molded and cast
the frames herself.
"Some jerk stole it off the wall. It was the last thing I would expect to
happen. Madison is getting very strange these days," she said.
Anyone with information about the theft can call Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.
http://www.madison.com/

toncremers at museum-security.org
http://www.museum-security.org
http://www.museumbeveiliging.com
http://www.handboekveiligheidszorgmusea.nl