Behind the Scenes: Farnsworth Forward

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Works are laid out in the galleries for possible installation

You may have noticed that our galleries are currently closed! After closing to the public on February 9, the Farnsworth’s entire staff has been busy working on getting our galleries open for a March 12 unveiling of a major reinterpretation of our collection. We can’t wait to open our doors again, but wanted to give you a taste of some of the work we’ve been up to in the meantime. If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes before the opening of a new exhibition, we invite you to check out some of our photos: floors are being prepped and waxed, walls are being painted, our curatorial department is hard at work selecting and preparing works for public display.

Click on any image to enlarge it.
  • Associate Registrar Angie Lowther cleans one of Louise Nevelson’s sculptures
  • Associate Registrar Angie Lowther cleans one of Louise Nevelson’s sculptures

Farnsworth Director Christopher J. Brownawell commented:

“The last two years have been very tough for so many art institutions throughout the world. The Farnsworth has weathered the pandemic exceptionally well by focusing on keeping our doors open and offering our community a safe, beautiful place to find inspiration.

The world has changed during the pandemic. Here at the Farnsworth, we’ve been focused on reflecting how to tell a richer, more diverse story of the contributions Maine’s artists have made and continue to make. We’re thrilled to offer our visitors something fresh, new, and exciting.”

  • Galleries are touched up for the reopening
  • The museum technician’s cart is omnipresent
  • Staff cleans the walls to prep for the reinstallation

The exhibition Farnsworth Forward is being organized by Guest Curator Suzette McAvoy. The former director of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, McAvoy has been engaged by the Farnsworth to expand the museum’s contemporary art program, which will be launched in 2023 to coincide with the museum’s 75th anniversary. She is an independent curator, arts writer, and museum consultant with more than thirty-five years’ experience in the field of fine art and museums.

Farnsworth Forward will underscore new understandings of the relationship between cultural identity, history, and place, and will be organized along specific themes. We look forward to exploring the galleries with you!

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