This area has grown quickly from 25000 to 100000 less than 50 years. So a new museum was needed a long time ago.
A proposal was drawn up to construct a new museum for about $30000000.00. This would allow for much more exhibit space and the collection would be under one roof.
Well, a section of the community was strongly against a new museum. They had every excuse in the book for not building a museum and criticized all the points for a museum.
So the project was abandoned.
So plan B. Well, renovate the building we have. Renovations are very expensive and you always find some very expensive surprises. One surprise was to find that the entire north wall was not insulated. You could not regulate the temperature and humidity for proper storage and display of the collection.
So to make the story shorter, almost $300000000.00 spent over ten years and we have the same footprint.
So a few weeks ago finishing touches were done to the exterior. So here's part of the exterior..
These 5 designs are on the south wall. They were made by putting photos of people together to make the design.
I think it's very attractive.
Interesting images on the outside.
ReplyDeleteSome like the Maple Leaf are predictable . I'll have to check on what the others are about.
Deletepretty good exterior art
ReplyDeleteMuch better than a brick wall.
DeleteThat's very cool. I'm all in favour of rebuilds, though!!!
ReplyDeleteWe really needed more space as other space is now rented. The old building could have easily been used for something else.
DeleteI really like the murals,especially how they were put together
ReplyDeleteI was impressed.
DeleteI think it's great! I'm glad that finally someone (or someones) took action and made it happen. Thanks, Red, for the upbeat post today. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had hired a new museum director and she made things happen.
DeleteAttractive ... and very clever!
ReplyDeleteWhy did people resist a new museum? Of all the things to spend tax money on, that seems pretty inoffensive. But I do like the artworks. Is your picture up there somewhere? :)
ReplyDeleteMuseums are inoffensive but so important to tell us stories. Museums are right up there with libraries.
DeleteI like the concept.
ReplyDeleteIt's got a very solid look to it.
DeleteI also think it's attractive.
ReplyDeleteNice to receive a positive comment from and artist!!!
DeleteThat is a very cool display Red. I am glad the new curator made it happen and I look forward to seeing more as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting way to make a wall collage. I like it! Too bad they didn't just bite the bullet and build a new state of the art facility :(
ReplyDeleteLooks good. The artwork is very nice!
ReplyDeleteI've seen similar collages before - they are really neat. I can't say I disagree with trying to save an older building. But I don't have all the details so maybe a new one would have been better.
ReplyDeleteLooks good. I agree.
ReplyDeleteFear of change, or spending money, can in the long run be more costly.
ReplyDeleteThe photo collage concept is a great idea. Helps people to take ownership.
Oh no... I'm using a laptop to write my comments and the touchpad is driving me crazy. I just wrote a comment and the whole thing disappeared. Arrrghhh...
ReplyDeleteI was saying I love museums and visited a bunch in DC.
You don't live in a large enough city to have big time donors who like to show off that they have money to spend. It is very attractive.
ReplyDelete