JACKSON, MS.- Back by popular demand, Art by Choice opens at the Mississippi Museum of Art Saturday, August 14, and runs through Sunday, September 12, 2010. Presented in collaboration with the Museum's New Collectors Club, Art by Choice is an exhibition of artworks available for purchase through sale and auction to benefit the Museum.

Members of the Museum staff and the New Collectors Club have gathered a variety of works by artists associated with Mississippi as well as works from galleries in New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Memphis for inclusion in the exhibition. Participating galleries include Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans, La.; Childs Gallery, Boston, Mass.; David Lusk Gallery, Memphis, Tenn.; Hirschl & Adler Modern, New York, N. Y.; Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, New Orleans, La.; and Spanierman Gallery, New York, N. Y.

Items for sale include works by national, regional, and local artists. The list includes, among many others, Jere Allen, Vidal Blankenstein, Andrew Bucci, Charles Carraway, Dale Chihuly, Carroll Cloar, Claudia DeMonte, Roland Freeman, Rolland Golden, Simon Gunning, David Lambert, Bertha Lum, Ed McGowin, Greely Myatt, Euphus Ruth, Jr., Shearwater Pottery, Mary Sims, Sidonie Villere, and Carlyle Wolfe. Sale prices start at $100. All of the artwork can be viewed in the Art by Choice exhibition, which will be displayed in The Donna and Jim Barksdale Galleries for Changing Exhibitions.

According to Steven Chevalier, president of the New Collectors Club, Art by Choice offers everyone an opportunity to purchase art. "More than 100 works of art are available that run the gamut in price, subject and medium, including art glass for the first time in many years. I would urge anyone interested in starting an art collection or adding to an established one to consider these pieces."

The night of Saturday, August 28, marks the first opportunity for individuals to buy artwork. Art by Choice Sale and Auction begins with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. followed by a guided tour of the exhibition at 6:00 p.m., led by the Museum's Deputy Director for Programs, Dan Piersol. The sale opens at 6:30 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the Museum's Trustmark Grand Hall. The auction features a private, commissioned portrait by Marshall Bouldin III as well as works by Jason Bouldin, William Dunlap, William Hollingsworth, Marie Hull, Fred Mitchell, Leo Blake, Norma Sanders Bourdeaux, Félix Bracquemond, Dale Chihuly, Caroline Compton, Jasmina Danowski, Ke Francis, Philip R. Jackson, Jeffrey Ripple, Euphus Ruth, Jr., and Benton Spruance.

Art by Choice Sale and Auction is open to the public with an admission fee of $50 per person. Reservations are requested by the Museum. Admission fees will also be taken at the door on the evening of the event. To make reservations to attend Art by Choice Sale and Auction, or for more information about the exhibition, sale and auction, call the Museum at 601-960-1515 or 1-800-VIEW ART (843-9278). Information about Art by Choice is also available on the Museum's website at www.msmuseum.org.

After August 28, the artwork in Art by Choice will be available for purchase by appointment during regular Museum hours. The final chance to buy art is Saturday, September 11, 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Museum staff members are scheduled to be on hand that day to offer information about the art and to transact sales.

The New Collectors Club is a Museum support group which was formed to encourage new collectors and to stimulate interest in art. The group includes individuals who are new to collecting art as well as those who have been collecting for a lifetime. Club membership is open to all Museum members.