2 weeks Ago By Owen Matthews
Utah State University is gearing up for the grand opening of its latest cultural gem, the Wanlass Center for Art Education & Research. According to USU Today , the inauguration of this $7.6 million facility is set to take place at a public celebration on April 29, featuring a ribbon cutting and welcome remarks from a roster of notable figures, including USU Interim President Al Smith and philanthropist George Wanlass.
The center is designed to be a haven for art enthusiasts and scholars, providing unprecedented access to the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art's collection of modern and contemporary American art. Emphasizing the art of the American West, the facility boasts a 10,000-square-foot space with cutting-edge visible storage and flexible display areas. This layout not only enhances viewers' experience but also allows NEHMA to double its collection storage capacity, an essential move for a museum that's continually growing, as stated by USU Today .
Equipped with interactive learning opportunities, the Wanlass Center invites visitors to engage with the artwork in a customized manner, supporting educational curricula or personal artistic discovery. The Study Room offers an up-close encounter with the museum’s pieces, while the Research Library houses a treasure trove of publications and artist archives. Additionally, an Art Classroom will serve as a creative space for K-12 programming and art-making activities.
The Wanlass Center's opening will not just celebrate its structural architecture, but also the architectural framework it provides for future educational experiences. "Designed by Sparano + Mooney Architecture, the new facility can further enhance the educational experience for all students, scholars, and the general public and secure NEHMA’s position as a national leader of museums focused on American art," as per USU Today . Large, glazed panels will expose selections from the collection, offering a tangible connection between the observer and the observed.
The debut of the center will be open to all from 2-4 p.m. on April 29, and the museum is also organizing tours post-opening remarks.
For members of the media eager for an exclusive sneak peek, they can RSVP for a preview event scheduled from 10-11 a.m. via Bow Bridge Communications at [email protected] .
Admission is, and always will be, free to the public. More information on the event and the museum can be found at NEHMA’s website, USU Today ..
