Dixon Ticonderoga Opens National Museum and Fine Art Gallery

VIPs and celebrities from around the world gathered near Orlando, Florida this weekend to celebrate the grand opening of the Dixon Ticonderoga National Museum & Fine Art Gallery. CEO Tim Gomez led a toast to the exhibits, which includes a once-stolen painting valued at more than $1 million: Norman Rockwell's "Grandfather and Grandson". The original oil work of art features the manufacturer's iconic yellow #2 pencil. The other two paintings from Rockwell's pencil series were never recovered, though company officials are hopeful to one day reunite them in the Central Florida gallery.

"Recovering stolen paintings is rare," said Gomez. "We thought it was time to share this classic art with the public. It's just too magnificent to remain in storage." The Rockwell painting is featured amid the corporation's private collection of art and will be available for the public's enjoyment beginning this week by appointment only. The museum pays tribute to the company's 220-year history.

Highlights of the weekend-long celebration included interviews with company leadership who reminisced about the company's history and incredible growth over the past five years under Mr. Gomez's leadership.

The first members of the Dixon Ticonderoga Hall of Fame were inducted on Saturday evening:

• Gino Pala, who guided the 1983 merger to create the Dixon Ticonderoga Company;
• Diego Cespedes, president/CEO of Grupo Fila Dixon, S.A. de C.V.;
• Tommy Lin, who leads the company's China operations;
• Donna Johnson, company veteran and administrative executive;
• Sandy Hill, who oversees the company's Macon, Ga. manufacturing facility;
• Tony Rufo, former senior vice president of sales;
• Donna Cochran, longtime member of the executive team, museum historian/curator.

The Dixon Ticonderoga National Museum and Fine Art Gallery is located at 615 Crescent Executive Court in Lake Mary, Florida. Beginning this week, it will be open to visitors by appointment, with school groups having access to the new hands-on workshop area for field trips. For reservations, call 407/829-9000, Ext. 105.

Dixon Ticonderoga Co. manufactures and markets a wide range of school supplies, writing instruments, art materials and office supplies under the Ticonderoga, Prang, Dixon, Oriole, Das, Maimeri and Lyra brands. Headquartered in Lake Mary, Fla., the company is a subsidiary of the publicly held Milan-based Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini S.p.A. (FILA). For more information, visit www.DixonUSA.com.