Behind the closed doors at the University Museum of Art, a solitary piece of artwork hangs on the gallery walls, while the lobby and gallery floors are stacked with packaged art, artifacts and relics.
The museum has been closed since September 2000 as workers prepare the building for additions and renovations.
Jean Nattinger, the museum registrar, said one of the biggest reasons for the work is that climate control systems need to be upgraded to effectively manage and protect the museum’s collection.
“Other museums are sometimes reluctant to loan objects to museums without a good climate control system,” she said.
She added that having enough space for all the exhibits is another issue. The museum opened in 1932 to house the more than 3,000-piece Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art.
Today, the museum houses more than 12,500 art objects that include photography, Pacific Northwest art, Russian icons, and Asian art from China, Japan, India and Korea.
In 1999, the University announced plans to renovate the museum and after raising $5 million for the project, it received $6.36 million from the state in matching funds to begin work.
An expanded museum will provide more storage space and additional galleries for permanent and changing exhibitions. Renovations will also ensure everyone can enjoy the museum.
“Not all areas in the museum are handicap accessible, but when the renovation and additions are completed, they will be,” Nattinger said.
The improved art museum will offer more educational opportunities as well.
“A discovery gallery will supplement the changing exhibitions gallery with hands-on and other activities geared toward children and adults,” museum Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Kaci Manning said.
“A prints, drawings and photographs center will contain all types of works on paper from the permanent collection,” Nattinger said. “It will have a research area and display ledges for the art. On the second floor will be a curriculum gallery where shows will be set up for classes to study.”
She added that an auditorium, a special events room, a cafe and a store will also be new additions for the museum.
Manning said the museum still has a ways to go before it is completed.
“We are still working on final designs and trying to raise about $800,000,” she said.
Nattinger said she hopes the construction can begin in December 2001 or January 2002.
“If we break ground then, we are looking at a summer 2003 reopening of the art museum, with our first major exhibition scheduled for fall 2003,” she said.
Nattinger said the museum staff are currently hard at work packing and cataloging all the exhibits.
In addition to cataloging and packaging the art, museum personnel continue to loan art, plan future exhibits and work on the educational outreach program, Nattinger added.
A lecture series, fundraisers and special events are also being planned, Manning said.
“This includes an upcoming antique appraisal day in October,” she said.
Regan Lee, a local researcher and artist, said she misses the museum’s exhibits.
“The museum was a nice place to visit in town,” she said. “Sadly, we have nothing to replace that particular void.”
Kate Wagle, the head of the art department, said the museum is a vital link for students who want to study works of art, view exhibitions and listen to art-related speakers.
“The closure of the museum leaves a big hole in our program,” she said.
In the past, she said, museum staff have provided gallery space for the art department’s faculty and MFA exhibitions.
Local art gallery owner Robert Canaga said many people come into his gallery asking about the museum.
“I think having it closed has raised people’s awareness of what they miss,” he said.