GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 11, 2012 – “Gold Prospectors,” a rare gemstone carving from the artist Vasily Konovalenko, is on display at the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum for the next year. The piece is on loan from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which has the only publicly displayed collection of Konovalenko’s work outside of Moscow.

“Our museum is very appreciative of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for loaning us this marvelous piece of craftsmanship,” said Museum Director Bruce Geller. “Not only is the theme of prospecting appropriate for our school, but its subject matter contains a burro, similar to our school mascot, Blaster the burro.”

“Gold Prospectors” features two prospectors in the American west panning for gold with a burro carved out of black jade. It is one of the few animals Konovalenko carved and the only American-themed work of the Russian born artist.

“We are honored to loan “Gold Prospectors” to the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum,” said James W. Hagadorn, the Tim and Kathryn Ryan Curator of Geology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. “We hope that students and visitors will enjoy seeing this collection at this location and will marvel at how Konovalenko honed such stones into fine art.”

Also new to the museum are specimens from notable private collectors including American turquoise, Arizona copper minerals, petrified wood and carved Chinese snuff bottles.

The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum is located at 1310 Maple St., Golden, and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays – Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Contact:

Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / KGilbert@mines.edu

David Tauchen, Public Relations Specialist / 303-273-3088 / DTauchen@mines.edu