HAMPTON, NJ.- Cree Wine Company, one of New Jersey’s best places to taste, learn, dine, and buy wines from all over the world, has refreshed its walls with a third iteration of African American Art courtesy of the Petrucci Family Foundation (PFF). The art collection has been on view for Cree’s patrons since the wine company opened its doors in 2021. While the art travels to top museums and exhibitions all over the country, the only permanent, publicly accessible display of the stunning Collection is at Cree in Hampton, NJ.
“It is an unbelievable honor and privilege to have these works of art from the Petrucci Family Foundation on display. The collection brings warmth, color, and joy to each space, adding another level of ambience that enhances the entire food and wine experience our guests receive at Cree Wine Company,” says Chris Cree, Founder & Master of Wine.
Monica Ikegwu, Olivia, Oil on canvas, 2020, welcomes Cree guests at the Host Desk. The current selection of works features a range of artists, including Monica Ikegwu, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Richard Mayhew, James Brantley, Berrisford Boothe, YoYo Lander, Charles White, Louis Sloan, Artis Lane, Benny Andrews, Lezley Saar, Derrick Adams, and Katrina Andry. With each new iteration of artwork, PFF and Cree organize artist talks, dinners, and wine pairings to spotlight the work. Dates TBA.
Claudia Volpe, Director at the Petrucci Family Foundation adds, “One of PFF’s primary goals is to educate folks about African American art, and we are privileged to work with a variety of museums to that end. But we rarely get to install museum-quality pieces in a more relaxed environment where you wouldn’t expect to find work of this caliber. It’s been very gratifying to collaborate with Chris Cree and learn about the enthusiasm these pieces have generated with his guests. We’ve organized several successful programs that feature the artists and will be hosting more in the near future.”
The Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art brings focus to the full range of African American art and its essential place in the history and discourse of American art. In 2012, the PFF began to collect the works of Black Artists in the belief that we cannot truly understand American history without understanding African American history. Now home to more than 500 works of art in all media, the PFF Collection continues to grow with new additions selected on the advice of professional educators, curators, and artists, emphasizing projects whose goal is to inspire the next generation of storytelling and cultural literacy in America.
Cree Wine Company was founded by Chris Cree, New Jersey’s only Master of Wine, and one of only 56 Master of Wines in the country and 418 worldwide. Cree’s goal is to offer wine lovers of all types to experience, taste and purchase wine. Cree offers a casual setting in the historic Perryville Inn, where patrons can expand their knowledge and appreciation of wine, while enjoying stunning art and tasty small plates that are paired with a wine suggestion. Guests can enjoy various wines from all over the world from their Wine Spectator award-winning wine list with prices ranging from $10 to several thousand dollars per bottle.
