ENCINITAS, CA — (April 23, 2009) — Lux Art Institute will partner with The New Children’s Museum (NCM) in a two-part series of The Valise Project, a renowned component of Lux’s educational programming, on two Saturdays, May 16 and July 25.

Lux created the Valise Project in 2000 as a way to reintroduce art into the classroom. Inspired by Marcel Duchamp, who carried miniatures of his work inside a suitcase, Lux commissions portable works of art that double as powerful interdisciplinary teaching tools. The valises travel to hundreds of classrooms around San Diego County each year, giving students a rare up-close and hands-on experience with museum-quality art.

Lux instructors will present the Run-Off Dolphin valise to children ages 5-9 (parents welcome) at NCM on May 16 with two sessions, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Created by Los Angeles artist, Kim Abeles, from discarded objects found on Santa Monica beaches, the dolphin-shaped valise presents both an environmental problem (ocean pollution) and a solution (reusing and recycling). A hands-on art project will follow an interactive discussion.

A second presentation of The Valise Project is planned for 8-12 year olds at NCM on Saturday, July 25. The Animal Tales valise, a giant papier-mâché book created by San Diego artist Jean Lowe will prompt discussion about the varied and often-conflicting relationships between animals and humans. Session times remain the same.

The presentations will take place at NCM’s Arts Education Center at 200 West Island Avenue in downtown San Diego. The presentations are free with NCM admission ($10). Space is limited. Email NCM’s Education Programs Coordinator, Lauren Popp, at lpopp@thinkplaycreate.org to register. In addition, free Lux admission tickets will be given to all visitors to NCM on May 16 and July 25.

Lux, San Diego’s interactive art destination, is dedicated to encouraging children’s artistic curiosity through The Valise Project, Luxcursion (classroom fieldtrips to Lux,) Summer Art Camp, and Free Saturday.

About Lux Art Institute

Lux Art Institute, located in Encinitas, Calif., opened its doors to the public in November 2007 and is redefining the museum experience with its unique artist-in-residence program. At Lux, artists live and work on site, while producing a commissioned work of art.

Throughout the year, Lux invites significant regional, national, and international artists to participate in the Lux residency and encourages visitors from across the country to observe and engage them. This one-of-a-kind institution invites visitors to not only “see art,” but also to “see art happen.”

Slated to be the first “green” (LEED certified) art museum in California and located alongside one of Southern California’s few remaining coastal wetlands, Lux’s five-acre site overlooks the San Elijo Lagoon and is surrounded by a wildlife preserve that stretches to the Pacific Ocean.

Santa Monica, California-based Renzo Zecchetto, AIA, designed the two-story building, a recent recipient of the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s top design award.

Lux Art Institute is located at 1550 South El Camino Real in Encinitas. Lux hours are Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; cost is $10 for two visits. For more information visit www.luxartinstitute.org or call 760.436.6611.

About The New Children’s Museum

The New Children’s Museum is a dynamic new model of a museum that celebrates children and the visual arts. A non-profit institution funded by memberships and community support, the Museum empowers children to think, play and create with participatory exhibitions, hands-on studio opportunities, and in-depth classroom experiences.

Since opening a new downtown facility in May 2008, The New Children’s Museum has been warmly embraced by the community, serving more than 185,000 visitors in the first year of operation. Designed by San Diego architect Rob Wellington Quigley, the environmentally sustainable building is one of the first “green” museums in California.