Attleboro Arts Museum Recognizes Young Artist

The has recognized a young Attleboro-area artist, Cassie Chee.

Chee, 8, was awarded the 2011 Viktor Schreckengost "Magbetu" award by the museum and named the Community Artist of the Month by the Attleboro Arts Museum.

The Joseph Martin  Elementary School student said along with the art classes at the Attleboro Arts Museum, she also enjoys music, dance and aquatic sea life.

Director Mim Brooks Fawcett presented the award, which annually commemorates Schreckengost's 1933 original “Mangbetu Child; Bronze Casting #2. The work of art was given to the Museum by Schreckengost's widow, Virgene Nowacek. 

Her generostiy prompted the launch of the Viktor Schreckengost "Mangbetu"Award – an annual recognition granted to an outstanding W. Charles Thompson Museum School student.

The award salutes arts achievement, commitment and visual artistry, according to Fawcett.

This is the third consecutive year that the Museum has honored local artists in his name. Last year, the award was presented to Arlena Phillips and this year it was awarded to 18-year-old Victoria Tarallo.

 Chuck Tramontana, one of Schreckengost's students said the artist left a legacy of greatness in the fields of art, engineering and industrial design. He painted magnificent water colors well into his 90’s, taught for more than 70 years and completed a new art piece every three weeks for

Schreckengost died at the age of 101 just two months prior to the exhibition celebrating his legacy at the Attleboro Arts Museum in March 0f 2008.  A museum honoring his legacy will open later this month in Cleveland, Ohio.

Chee's artwork will be on exhibit throughout the end of the month in the Attleboro Art Museum Community Gallery.