The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art will be celebrating its highly anticipated grand reopening Nov. 7.
Art lovers from around Bloomington can be the first ones to see the modernization of the museum at Museum Fest from Nov. 7-10.
On Nov. 7, guests can celebrate the milestone by participating in a scavenger hunt, taking photos at a selfie station and listening to live music in the atrium. There will also be a behind-the-scenes conservation experience, but is ticketed. Seven galleries will be open for attendees to view prints, drawings and photographs.There will also be a First Thursdays Festival Parade organized by IU Arts and Humanities to commemorate the occasion.
Guided tours will occur each day of the festival. Contemporary dance, choreographed by Elizabeth Shea, will perform Nov. 8 and Nov. 10. On Nov. 9, there will be an open art studio to inform visitors about art therapy, and a Coffee with a Curator event featuring Elliot Reichert, who is the curator of contemporary art.
Following a $15 million gift from the Eskenazi's and a $15 million grant from the For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign program, the museum closed to the public May 15, 2017, to begin renovations. The donations have provided the ability to upgrade the facility, increase gallery space and improve teaching facilities.
A gift from Luzetta and Del Newkirk supported the newly renovated cafe and gift shop, named in their honor. A piece of contemporary work by English designer, Paul Cocksedge, was installed on the ceiling above the cafe and gift shop, made possible by a donation from Nancy and Bill Hunt.
According to the museum’s website, “With the current renovation, the museum’s building will provide new and better opportunities for exploring and learning from our collection. The renovation will further secure the IU Eskenazi Museum of Art’s position as one of the preeminent teaching museums in the country for generations to come.”
