Thursday, 2/9/23
The past few weeks have been transformative for our Phase 2 renovation project. This project includes the renovation of the basement collection storage area. All the walls have been demolished, exterior windows boarded up, and waterproofing has begun. This past week, Barbara Mangum, President of the Board of Trustees and professional conservator, met with members/volunteers of the Collection Care Committee to discuss the use of the vault area. Our construction team and architects believe that the vault was cast in place when the museum was built in the 1920’s. The walls are believed to be structural and for that reason they’re being kept as is. To allow the space to be more accessible we’re having the vault doors removed (they’re inoperable and take up a lot of space) and the interior of the vault area will be fully waterproofed to create a sustainable storage area for collection objects. These decisions will also help keep the project progressing forward and maintain our timeline. We’re excited about what the next few weeks’ progress will look like!
Barbara Mangum, President of the Board of Trustees and professional conservator, met with Cynthia Frawley (member of the Collection Care Committee and volunteer graphic designer) and David Guss (member of the Collection Care Committee and Trustee) to discuss the use of the vault in the basement storage area.
Our fundraising committee has been hard at work to reach our goal and we’re 95% of the way there! You can check out our progress on our new fundraising platform, GiveButter!
We’ve received an outpouring of support from members, friends, and neighbors. We still have a bit more work to do and we could use your help! Donating is fast and easy and can be done online or by sending a check using this form.
Meanwhile, as part of the Waterlines exhibition by Arlinda Shtuni, we’re hosting a Water Meditation event by artist Faith Johnson on Saturday, February 11 at 11:30am.
“The Magic of Water installation combines the crystalline and water like qualities of glass and mirrors to create a sacred vessel. This container holds local waters from the Mystic River, Walden Pond, and a secret spring in the Emerald Necklace. I spent time building relationships with each source through deep inner listening, year round dipping (in Walden Pond), and gathering the waters with gratitude.
Working in the realm of vision, imagination, and belief, I activate the installation through guided water meditations which connect participants to the consciousness and magic of water. The meditations were developed in response to metaphysical experiences I had with the waters of my ancestral Scandinavia. They are centered around envisioning a time when the waters flow in balance and joyfulness once more and ecological friendship is reignited or deepend. If something is to come into being it must first be envisioned and believed to be possible.
These local waters were gathered on the traditional lands of the; Massachusett, Pawtucket, Nipmuc, Agawam, and Naumkeag. This project is an adaptation of the Water Keepers’ Library project (2016-present), which houses water from around the world.”
(Excerpt from Faith Johnson’s website: https://www.faithjohnson.net/#/magic-of-water/)
Image by Faith Johnson
Image by Sue Murad
Image by Sue Murad
Space is limited so reserve your spot today!