|
Mayor Rybak Honors Local Russian Art Leader
Russian Ambassador in Minneapolis for Award Presentation to Raymond Johnson
NEWS RELEASE
January 19, 2006
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today will join Russian Ambassador to the United States Yuri Ushakov to present the Order of Friendship medal to Raymond Johnson. Mr. Johnson is recognized in the United States and Russia as the primary person who created popular American interest in 20th century Russian art with his first exhibition in Minneapolis in 1991.
Mr. Johnson was appointed Honorary Counsel for the Russian Federation in 2004. His appointment as Honorary Counsel and his receipt of the Order of Friendship recognize his continuous efforts to use fine art to foster improved relations between Americans and Russians. Since 1990 Mr. Johnson has made over 40 trips to Russia to build relationships with Russian museums and art institutions.
In 2002 Mr. Johnson and his wife Susan founded The Museum of Russian Art, a federally recognized non-profit educational center where Mr. Johnson serves as Board Chair. The Museum temporarily operated in Bloomington and re-located to its present south Minneapolis building in May 2005. Since relocating, the Museum has hosted 25,000 visitors and is the only museum in North America solely dedicated to Russian art and artifacts.
The Order of Friendship medal is one of the most prestigious awards in Russia for foreign citizens. Recent American recipients include Donald Kendall (CEO of PepsiCo), Van Cliburn (Pianist), James Wolfenson (President of the World Bank), and Captain Steven Smith (leader of U.S. Navy rescue of the Russian submarine Kurst lost at sea).
“I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Ushakov to Minneapolis for this special occasion,” Mayor Rybak said of the award. “Raymond Johnson’s commitment to cultural diversity is a perfect example of what makes Minneapolis great. The Museum of Russian Art not only serves Minneapolis’ large and growing Russian community, but also helps weave the city’s cultural fabric for all to enjoy.”
What:
|
Presentation of Russian Federation Order of Friendship medal to Raymond Johnson
|
When:
|
6:00 p.m. today, Thursday, February 19, 2006
|
Where:
|
Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Avenue South, Minneapolis
|
|