[CPProt.net] Art theft puzzles officials

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Art theft puzzles officials 
April 14,2005 
Mark Lineberger 
staff writer 
Art thievery may sound like the stuff of movies or illicit back-room
antiques dealing, but it's a crime that struck home recently at a local
gallery.

Two weeks ago, someone stole three paintings from the Community Council of
the Arts on Queen Street. 

"This is extremely unusual," said Sandy Landis, the council's executive
director. "I've been here eight years and I've never had anything like this
happen."

The art, two oil painting landscapes and a collage, were stolen over a
three-day period as the gallery was preparing for its annual Competitive
Exhibition. The gallery had around 300 pieces for the show, Landis said.

"We discovered they were missing during inventory," Landis said. "We take a
look everyday just to make sure nothing is missing."

The paintings were relatively small, about 10-by-14 inches. One was removed
from the frame; the other two were stolen frame and all.

While the theft might not warrant as much attention as other heists, such as
the armed robbery of a Norwegian museum in August where Edward Munch's
famous "The Scream" was taken, police reports put the value of the three
paintings at around $1,200. All three were created by regional artists.

There's a price much greater than the one behind the dollar sign, Landis
said.

"It's especially upsetting because the artists put not just their creative
talent into creating these, but their time and efforts," Landis said. "It's
as if they've put a piece of their soul into the work, and you can't put a
price on that."

As for the artists themselves, Landis said they've been very gracious and
understanding about the entire affair.

"It's not something that happens around here," Landis said.

Anyone with any information about the pilfered paintings is asked to call
the Kinston Department of Public Safety at (252) 939-3160.


Mark Lineberger can be reached at (252) 527-3191, Ext. 251, or
mlineberger at freedomenc.com. 


http://www.kinston.com/