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Contact:
Dan Carpenter
(325) 673-4587
Marketing@thegracemuseum.org
Grace Museum announces plans for new education center
(click
on image above for high-resolution version)
The
new Grace Education Center
(above)
incorporates numerous innovative
architectural
and design details including
a
metal-clad magnetic wall for displaying
artwork,
and one of the first uses in
the
U.S. of a "green" expandable wall
divider
system made from pleated paper.
Abilene, TX (January 30, 2007)
- The 3rd Floor at The Grace Museum is getting a
major facelift.
The area, formerly
home to the Dinosaurs of Texas exhibit, and vacant
since 2004, is being remodeled to become a large, 4,100 square-foot
teaching facility for children's art classes, teacher workshops,
and adult programs.
"The generosity
of the Dodge Jones Foundation and the Shelton Family Foundation
has allowed us to create a wonderful new 'artist's loft' space
for art classes and programs," said Dennis Kois, Executive
Director of The Grace. "The loft will be overflowing
with daylight and will allow us to expand our summer camps,
school visits, and ArtWalk and family programs. The addition
of a teacher resource library and a dedicated distance-learning
studio for our internet-based programs, which serve thousands
of rural students across Texas as well as here in AISD will
be icing on the cake."
In addition to space
that can serve two classes simultaneously and a purpose-built
distance learning studio, the new center will also provide
offices for the education staff, a teacher resource room and
library, and a work room.
"Education has
always been at the center of our public service role,"
said Kathryn Best, The Grace's Curator of Education. "This
new center will provide a state-of-the-art space to continue
our educational programs and other special events that encourage
public participation, enjoyment and learning."
The new Grace Education
Center is expected to be open in Spring of this year, and
will incorporate numerous innovative architectural and design
details including a metal-clad magnetic wall for displaying
artwork, and one of the first uses in the U.S. of a "green"
expandable wall divider system made from pleated paper.
Local architect Rick
Weatherl, who oversaw the original renovation of the historic
Grace building, is designing the project with input from Kois,
who was previously the chief designer at the Freer and Sackler
Galleries of the Smithsonian, and Pam Harman, The Grace's
Educational Programs Coordinator.
The project is being
funded by grants from the Dodge Jones Foundation and the Shelton
Family Foundation.
The Grace Museum
is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Admission is free Thursday
evening after 5 p.m.
For more information,
call 325-673-4587.
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