JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Authorities are investigating after a piece of artwork was reported stolen from the Juneau Arts & Culture Center this week.
Nancy DeCherney, executive director of the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, said center officials called police Monday after finding that an alder mask of a mountain goat was missing. The piece by Juneau artist Sheila Dyer had been part of a monthly exhibit from the University of Alaska Southeast, The Juneau Empire reported (https://bit.ly/1QRUSVn).
DeCherney said the center’s surveillance cameras did not capture the theft due to an issue with the memory cards. The cameras are now functioning properly and she said officials are looking to install more cameras around the downtown building.
Dyer’s mask has been featured as part of an exhibit at the center since April 1. DeCherney described the piece as extremely valuable and called the incident appalling.
“It’s pretty devastating for the artist,” DeCherney said. “(Theft of art) makes it difficult for arts groups to do what we do.”
Juneau Police Department spokeswoman Erann Kalwara said officers are following up on potential leads, but she would not comment further on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
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Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, https://www.juneauempire.com
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