Gibbes Museum of Art Announces Next Steps of Museum Renovation
January 7, 2015
CHARLESTON, SC – After many years of planning the renovation of the Gibbes Museum of Art is underway. The demolition crew has begun asbestos removal and early general demolition. Crown molding and other trim work has been carefully removed for re-installation. New construction will begin after the start of the New Year.
“The Gibbes project contains the challenges associated with joining new construction to old, the faithful restoration of a beautiful historic building, and the incorporation of up to date museum infrastructure and technology. A great deal of coordination will be required to meet the project’s objectives and meet the aggressive schedule that allows the Gibbes to reopen to the public in the spring of 2016. We are off to a very strong start with demolition. It has been carefully and efficiently conducted and there have been no significant discoveries that thwart attainment of our ultimate goals,” says Project Manager, Nick Cameron.
At this stage of the renovation, a majority of the construction will not be visible to the public eye. Fencing has been placed around the front of the museum on Meeting Street and selective trimming of the live oak tree will be performed to facilitate the health of the tree during the construction process, and to allow world class art to be safely delivered to the new climate controlled shipping entrance. The courtyard garden is temporarily closed to the public and historic Gateway walking tours will continue with an alternate route. Gibbes Museum Executive Director Angela Mack says, “With the assistance of the City, the county, other government entities, and our generous leadership donors, we have embarked on a vision of the Gibbes that will place it at the forefront of the visual arts in the South and beyond. The renovation allows us to keep pace with the highly specialized requirements of a first-class museum in order to showcase first-class art.”
About Gibbes Museum of Art
Established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858, the Gibbes Museum of Art opened its doors to the public in 1905. In the fall of 2014, the Gibbes temporarily closed for major renovations and will reopen its doors in the spring of 2016. The renovation project is designed to showcase the museum’s collection, provide visitors with a history of American art from the early colonial era to the present, and engage the public with a center for education, artist studios, lecture and event space, a museum café, and store. During the renovation the museum will offer programs such as the Insider Art Series, Art With a Twist, Art of Healing, events including the Art of Design and annual Gibbes on the Street Party, and educational offerings such as Art to Go and Eye Spy Art. Highlights of the Gibbes permanent collection can be viewed on Google Art Project at www.googleartproject.com.
