The Claremont Museum of Art held art book fund raiser Dec. 11

Sandy Baldonado recieves her signed book from artist Jim Heuter at the art book signing members event held at the Claremont Museum of Art on Dec. 11.  At left is Betty Davenport Ford, and on right are fellow artists James Fuller, Joella Jean Mahoney and Harrison McIntosh. Photo and caption information: Catherine McIntosh

The Claremont Museum of Art will discontinue operation in The Packing House and place the permanent collection in a secure storage facility, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

A phone fund raiser to cover 2010 operations received more than 50 pledges totalling $26,255.

But the amount only helps the museum stay open six more weeks.

"Without any immediate prospects for additional donations, we don't see any way to continue operation in The Packing House location," according to a news release from the Claremont Museum of Art.

So pledges will not be collected according to the release but "our debts are not yet fully paid and there will be additional costs to move out of our current location, so we are asking our supporters to turn all or part of their pledge into a donation."

Here's how to help: www.claremontmuseum.org/give.html

The Claremont Museum of Art is at 536 West 1st St. For information, call (909) 621-3200.

Museum members shop for art books at a recent holiday fund raising event at the Claremont Museum of Art. The Art Book Sale raised $3,500 for the Museum. Photo and caption information: Catherine McIntosh