the 19th annual great art heist 2024
NEWS ALERT - September 15 2024 - Saturday night witnessed the largest art heist of the century in South County, Rhode Island, at the South County Art Association. "It was certainly a well-organized, well-executed art heist, the largest I have seen in my time as President," said Lynn Moulton. According to Office Manager ,Jeanne Wettlaufer, "We estimate the value of the heist to be over $11,000."
"Our suspicions point to what we believe is a large crime syndicate with good taste," speculated Jen Ferry, Executive Director of SCAA. "But we were able to capture many images thanks to photographer and Assistant Director Sarah Lawhorne." Sarah explained, "I will be reviewing images and video footage over the coming days. I'm confident we will identify the scoundrels!"
Pottery Studio and Buildings Manager Todd Kenney said, "The doors were locked—I checked them myself." He suspects the art bandits slipped in one by one through the side door using a skeleton key, and under the cover of night. SCAA guest instructor Stephen Palmer, who was at SCAA late Saturday night, reported hearing some rumblings and laughter but assumed the neighboring URI students were back and enjoying their weekend.
Exhibitions Manager Jason Fong was in shock when he walked into the Helme House on Sunday morning. "There were 151 works of art in the gallery as of last night—paintings, photographs, sculptures of all mediums and styles, donated by our members. One consolation," he continued, "is that I will be receiving artwork later this afternoon for our member Invitational show, so an empty gallery will make hanging our next show a breeze."
Jen Ferry goes on to say that, thankfully, she can call on board members, an army of volunteers, and their Platinum Sponsor, SURV, at the drop of a hat, so everyone will be on the lookout for the individuals involved. "Our creative community is cherished here at SCAA."
UPDATE - 12 PM Sunday, September 15, 2024
Development and Marketing Director Annie Wildey reports, "Many of the bandits have already been rounded up, and a gallery of mugshots has been compiled and can be found below." She continues, "As more information comes in over the next few hours and days, we will be adding mugshots and other footage to the gallery." She ended by saying "It's looking more and more like an inside job."
"Our suspicions point to what we believe is a large crime syndicate with good taste," speculated Jen Ferry, Executive Director of SCAA. "But we were able to capture many images thanks to photographer and Assistant Director Sarah Lawhorne." Sarah explained, "I will be reviewing images and video footage over the coming days. I'm confident we will identify the scoundrels!"
Pottery Studio and Buildings Manager Todd Kenney said, "The doors were locked—I checked them myself." He suspects the art bandits slipped in one by one through the side door using a skeleton key, and under the cover of night. SCAA guest instructor Stephen Palmer, who was at SCAA late Saturday night, reported hearing some rumblings and laughter but assumed the neighboring URI students were back and enjoying their weekend.
Exhibitions Manager Jason Fong was in shock when he walked into the Helme House on Sunday morning. "There were 151 works of art in the gallery as of last night—paintings, photographs, sculptures of all mediums and styles, donated by our members. One consolation," he continued, "is that I will be receiving artwork later this afternoon for our member Invitational show, so an empty gallery will make hanging our next show a breeze."
Jen Ferry goes on to say that, thankfully, she can call on board members, an army of volunteers, and their Platinum Sponsor, SURV, at the drop of a hat, so everyone will be on the lookout for the individuals involved. "Our creative community is cherished here at SCAA."
UPDATE - 12 PM Sunday, September 15, 2024
Development and Marketing Director Annie Wildey reports, "Many of the bandits have already been rounded up, and a gallery of mugshots has been compiled and can be found below." She continues, "As more information comes in over the next few hours and days, we will be adding mugshots and other footage to the gallery." She ended by saying "It's looking more and more like an inside job."
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Many thanks to the following artists who donated artwork:
Alex LaForce Alexis Scanlon Amy White Ann Cody Joyce Ann E. Bianchi Ann O'Brien Annie Wildey Barbara Schurman Beth Johnston Beth Voso Bill Brennan Bill Gallagher Jr. Billy Montella Jr. Brian Dougan Burl Dawson Carol Dunn Carol Kaufman Cynthia Woehrle David Culton Deb Costello Debra Engel Diana McCallister Diana Sartor Donna Mazzone Elaine Porter Elizabeth Goor Eric Hovermale Erica Driver Felicia Touhey George Salter Gloria Limbird Greg Ames Helen Roy Iwona Lapczyk James M. Wyman Jane Hogan Janet Maher Jason Fong Jean Cotton Jeneane Lunn Joan Reilly Joanne Morrissey Jodi Manca John Fazzino John Repoza Joyce Hempstead Joyce Neville Judith Anderson Kara McKamey Kathleen Hannan Kathleen Ann Gellentien Kathy Humphreys Ken Steinkamp Kris Greco Krzysztof Mathews Lee Segal Lenny Rumpler Linda Covington Linda Denosky-Smart Linda Gotta Linda Hufnagel Linda King Linda O’ Connor Lisa Sledzik Lori Jeremiah Lynn Clapham Lynne Moulton Madeline Beaudry Marcia Blair Margit Burmeister Marian Goldsmith Mariko Toyama Marilyn Saabye Marjorie Ball Markham Starr Martha Risser Marty Pena Mary Belden Brown Mary Crolius Maryann Levendusky Maryann Stenson Matt Stuart Megan Jones Michael Garr Michael Mccarthy Michael Stricklin Michael Quan Michele Hoben Mike Faggella Murray Norcross Nancy Himmel Nancy Vetters Patricia Anderson Patricia Cheyne Paul M. Murray Paula Childs Paula Guida Paula Trump Peggy Henderson Rebecca Stockdill Richard Levy Robert Chase Robert Pillsbury Ron Stern Sara Nalle Sarah Lawhorne Sharon Smith Shawndavid Berry Stephanie Marisca Steve Palmer Susan Brand Susan Graefe Susan Sward Suzanne Starr Sylvia Hampton Theresa Girard Terry Van Heusen Tracy Stilwell Valerie Ottaviano Wells Moore |
