Most recently updated October 8th, 2023
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
The NCMA Gallery is Re-Opening!
To celebrate the re-opening (and “re-imagining”) of the North Carolina Museum of Art’s newly updated collection galleries, the Museum is kicked off an opening weekend October 7-October 9 with a whole host of activities each day.
Though the celebration is over, the updated galleries and collections are still there to enjoy and explore!
I was excited to receive an invitation to a Press preview of the “re-imagined” galleries earlier this week, and I have to say, I was both relieved and impressed.
Relieved because whenever someone uses the word “re-imagined” – most notably when doing a remake of a beloved movie classic of the 80s or 90s – the result is usually a disappointment.
And impressed because I’m happy to report that is NOT the case with the re-imagined collections and galleries at the NC Museum of Art!
I’ve been visiting the NCMA galleries and Museum of Art Park for over 20 years now, so I’ve seen a lot of pieces in the permanent collections and have some favorites.
The new groupings and display styles employed in the updated collections really highlighted the individual pieces, but also how they fit into the larger scope of the other included artworks.
All in all, it’s a fresh new approach that includes works from diverse timeframes and cultures, but remains somehow pleasingly cohesive.
Below are more details of the updates.
The People’s Collection, Re-imagined
Closed to the public since June, the Museum has undergone a total reinstallation, and an ambitious transformation of its displays.
They’ve added new thematic galleries, new interactive learning experiences, including digital games and labels, and expanded the introductory wall text into both English and Spanish.
25% of the collection will now be on display, along with 100 never-before-exhibited pieces.
Seventy-seven loans from international and national museums will temporarily join the collection, too.
“It’s been a labor of love from every department at the Museum to get ready for the opening weekend celebrations on October 8 and 9,” said Museum Director Valerie Hillings. “We hope visitors will connect more deeply with their favorite works of art in the People’s Collection.”
The opening weekend will include artist-led gallery tours, family activities, musical concerts, dance performances, and poetry in the galleries.
A free keynote lecture by collection artists Leonardo Drew and Ursula von Rydingsvard will take place virtually and in-person October 9.
New Themed Galleries for the Collection
The re-imagined presentation enables visitors to learn about national and global histories through works of art.
All themed galleries will now also have introduction panels in both English and Spanish.
● Made in the Americas: This gallery showcases the interconnectedness of the Americas, both with each other and with other parts of the world.
● Portraits and Power: This section displays historic and contemporary portraits side by side to demonstrate how people are presented through images.
● The Africa We Ought to Know – Previously on view as two separate collections, this gallery reconnects Egypt to Africa, celebrating Africa as a continent where empires have flourished over millennia.
● Art Conservation – This space lets conservators share the materials and techniques used in the reconstruction and restoration of different types of objects. The first object featured will be visitor favorite Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky by Chris Drury (2003), which reopened in the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park in 2022 after extensive conservation.
● The Arts – In this gallery the broad spectrum of the Arts – music, dance, painting, and literature – will be presented through a variety of media. As museums continue to rethink what can be shown inside galleries, the integration of various art forms plays a key role in re-imagining the museum experience.
Acquisitions, Commissions, and Loans
As part of this reimagined installation of the People’s Collection, the Museum will also be highlighting major gifts and acquisitions, both permanent and short-term new commissions, and 77 exciting loans.
In the Museum’s West Building – visitors will be greeted by a series of new areas for art, including a series of suspended sculptures that will hang from the entrance ceiling.
Nearby space will be dedicated to year-long temporary installations by North Carolina-based artists Elizabeth Alexander and JP Jermaine Powell.
In the East Building – a large wall in the new Global Contemporary Art Gallery will feature a year-long, site-specific installation by Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj.
Temporary installations by global contemporary artists will be featured in this gallery on an annually rotating basis.
Community Voices
20 Community members from North Carolina and beyond have been invited to respond to objects in the collection in conversation with labels written by NCMA curators.
These contributors include artists, students, civic leaders, journalists, and food activists.
The selected works span time, geography, and culture.
New Technology
Museum visitors now have numerous ways to interact with and connect to the People’s Collection through technology.
Digital labels will be in five galleries, including the Judaic, 4 African, and American galleries, select European galleries, and the new Portraits and Power Gallery.
These labels will be available in English and Spanish.
On View in East Building:
Start Talking: Fischer/Shull Collection of Contemporary Art, through February 5, 2023 (free)
Outlandish: Photographs by Ralph Burns from the Collection of Hedy Fischer and Randy Shull/Photographs from the Collection of Allen G. Thomas Jr., through February 12, 2023 (free)
On View in the Museum Park:
Fall 2022 Billboards: Ralph Burns, through March 2023 (free)
Opening This Fall:
A Modern Vision: European Masterworks from The Phillips Collection, October 8, 2022–January 22, 2023 (ticketed)
Powers Concealed: Egúngúns from Africa and America, October 15, 2022–February 26, 2023 (free)
Gentileschi/Wiley: Two Paintings of Judith 400 Years Apart, October 22, 2022–January 15, 2023 (free)
Park Info
Visit: Calendar | Exhibitions | Park
Get Involved
Join: Become a member to enjoy free exhibition tickets, discounts to events, and more or donate to the NCMArts Fund.
I hope you’ll visit the NC Museum of Art this weekend and take advantage of all of the Opening Weekend activities!
Read here about what you’ll find if you visit the NCMA Museum of Art Park trails.
Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ
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LJ has spent much of her free time as a single Mom – and now as an empty-nester – hiking in the US and around the world. She shares lessons learned from adventures both local and in exotic locations, and tips on how to be active with asthma, plus travel, gear, and hike planning advice for parents hiking with kids and beginners of all ages. Read more on the About page.