The Georgia Museum of Art to Reopen with Weeklong Celebration in January 2011
ATHENS, GA.- The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia will reopen with a weeklong celebration, Art Expands, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. The museum has been closed since March 2009 for construction on its Phase II expansion and renovation project.
GMOA broke ground on its expansion in 2009, after raising $20 million in private support to fund the entirety of construction. The addition to the existing facility will include more than 16,000 square feet in new galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden, expanded lobby and additional storage space. The new gallery space will allow for continual viewing of the museum’s permanent collection.
Another major addition to GMOA will be the Study Centers in the Humanities. Partially funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the centers will contain archives from the museum’s collections and consist of the C.L. Morehead Jr. Center for the Study of American Art, the Henry D. Green Center for the Study of the Decorative Arts, the Jacob Burns Foundation Center and the Pierre Daura Center. Curators of each collection will have offices in the corresponding study center, making information and archives easily accessible to students and researchers.
- GMOA broke ground on its expansion in 2009, after raising $20 million in private support to fund the entirety of construction
GMOA will kick off its grand weeklong reopening, Art Expands, with the official University ribbon-cutting ceremony and the museum’s fundraiser gala Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis. Activities will continue throughout the week with a special lecture, musical performances, Family Day and events for UGA faculty, staff and students. All event listings and times can be found on the museum’s website.
Georgia Museum of Art Grand Weeklong Reopening: Art Expands
Saturday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis is the official reopening celebration of the Georgia Museum of Art. The ribbon-cutting ceremony with UGA president Michael F. Adams, museum director William U. Eiland and the GMOA family of supporters will take place during the gala. For the first time, guests will dine in the new M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall, which now accommodates up to 300 people. The event will begin with cocktails followed by dinner, with dancing in the Jane and Harry Willson Sculpture Garden until midnight. Throughout the evening, guests can explore the new Georgia Museum of Art. Metamorphosis will be catered by Epting Events, with
music by Grogus. Tickets for Elegant Salute XII: Metamorphosis are $250 per person. For reservations, call 706/542-0437.
Sunday, Jan. 30, 1–3 p.m. Friends Preview
Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art enjoy exclusive access at this private reception before the public reopening. Docents and curators will offer tours of the galleries. Join before the grand reopening and receive a 20% discount on memberships up to and including the family level or join at the door at the regular rate. To join the Friends or to RSVP, call 706/542-0437
Monday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. GMOA Open to the Public and UGA Faculty and Staff Day at GMOA
The museum doors will be open for the first public viewing of the new Georgia Museum of Art. Curators and docents will be available in the galleries for tours throughout the day. University of Georgia faculty and staff will receive special discounts on memberships to the Friends of the Museum and in the Museum Shop with a UGACard all day.
UGA Faculty Lunch at Learn at GMOA, noon
All UGA Faculty are invited to a Lunch and Learn as GMOA educators demonstrate how to utilize the permanent collection in the classroom.
Reception for UGA Physical Plant and Support Staff, 3 p.m.
All UGA support staff are invited to join museum staff for a special reception in their honor as we formally recognize the individuals who keep this university running and beautiful. The reception will be held in the Educational Outreach Center on the first floor of the museum.
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
GMOA Open to the Public
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. GMOA Special Reopening Lecture with Artist Beverly Pepper Ramsey Hall, Performing Arts Center
The museum will officially recognize distinguished guest and world-renowned sculptor Beverly Pepper’s sculpture “Ascension” as a new addition to its permanent collection. The sculpture will be installed in the Performing and Visual Arts Complex quad and on view for the first time during the museum’s reopening.
Thursday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. – midnight UGA Student Day at GMOA
UGA students will receive shop and membership discounts all day with a UGACard. Docents and curators will be available in the galleries for tours.
7 p.m. – midnight
All students are invited to GMOA’s college night, a GMOA Student Association–sponsored event. The evening will include music, refreshments, door prizes and tours of the galleries. For more information, call 706/542-0437.
Friday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m. Young at Art presents Modern Skirts
The Young at Art committee of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art present the Modern Skirts live in concert! Friends members $15, non-members $20, or join at the Young at Art membership level at the door or in advance and enter the concert FREE. Young at Art membership is $20 in addition to the regular individual or family membership price. Join during the charter period and receive a 20% discount. Formed in early 2004, the band quickly gained popularity in the Athens music scene thanks largely to the buzz created by their high-energy live shows in the Athens area, mostly at the world-famous 40 Watt Club.
Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. GMOA Family Day: Reopening Celebration
Join the Georgia Museum of Art in celebration of its reopening during this super-sized Family Day extravaganza! Visit the galleries for docent-led tours and activities, and come to the first floor to create art based on works from the museum’s collection. Picasso People, an interactive program for children that includes music, mime and puppetry, will be featured in the M. Smith Griffith Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Related posts:
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Makes Over 3,000 Items Available for View Online
- Georgia Museum of Art Publishes Important Source on Early Italian Paintings
- Judge Rejects Fisk Deal to Sell Georgia O’Keeffe Share
- Galleries for Musical Instruments Reopen at Metropolitan Museum
- The Morgan Library and Museum’s Landmark McKim Building to Reopen October 30
