PRESS RELEASE

April 20, 2004

Contact Katie Sproles (541) 346-0942 ksproles@darkwing.uoregon.edu


EVENT ADVISORY
Public Invited to May 8 Open House at UO Museum of Art

EVENT: The University of Oregon Museum of Art is hosting an open house that will
allow the public to explore the museum's expanded building as a major
construction project nears completion.

DATE: Saturday, May 8

TIME: 1-4 p.m.

LOCATION: UO Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane

BACKGROUND:
The UO Museum of Art closed its doors to the public on Sept. 4, 2000, to begin a major construction project to renovate, modernize and nearly double the size of the 70-year-old structure. The museum will reopen in October.

During the open house, visitors will get a look at the partially completed building before staff begins to prepare for the reopening. Once construction is completed in June, staff members will begin to move the museum's collection into the building. Some of the art works are currently in storage and some are on loan to other museums.

Attendees will learn how the building's new spaces will be used, see a preview list of first-year exhibitions, tour behind-the-scenes and take part in family art activities.

"We look forward to opening the doors to the public for the first time in more than three years so that visitors can appreciate the new architecture as a work of art in itself, before the collection is moved back inside and the galleries are installed," explains director David Turner. "We want to offer the community a rare glimpse at what this visual arts center will offer not only to the university, but also to the entire community, state and region."

The design by the Chicago firm Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge was brought to life by architect of record SRG Partnership of Portland and principal contractor Wildish Building Co. of Eugene.

The $14.4 million project was funded through a combination of private donations and state matching funds.

For more information, call the UO Museum of Art, (541) 346-3027.


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