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(Editor’s Note: This article was written by Stephanie Fazio ’10)

In an effort to update its collection and the museum itself, the underwent renovations this past year.

Scott Habes, gallery director since January 2009, helped to bring about some of the changes. “I saw the need with fresh eyes and saw new possibilities,” he said.

New floors, walls, and window treatments are some of the immediately noticeable signs of the makeover.

Replacing wall-to-wall carpeting, the new flooring is an engineered concrete that gives the gallery a professional look, explained gallery registrar Michael Somple.

“This is more open, clean — it shows off the architecture and the interesting crevices,” he said.

New floors, walls, and window treatments are some of the Picker renovations that took place this past summer. (Photo by Warren Wheeler)

 

Additionally, a wall module system was built and can be moved around to give flexibility to the space, and UV-filtering screens on the windows allow light to enter the gallery without affecting the artwork. Professional museum lighting is expected to be installed this summer.

The sculpture court, which had not been renovated since 1996, has also been changed, visibly and philosophically.

“Now, we’re rotating sculptures so that there will be a whole new environment every year,” Habes said. He added that the hope is to have the sculptures start at the Picker and then be moved to various locations on campus.

When asked what his original vision for the renovations was, Habes said, “the Picker has always been seen as the art historical gallery on campus, so I’m trying to change that notion and not alienate what we were, but show art in a space with more flexibility to accommodate a diverse range of media such as film, video, and sculpture.”

Maddy Casella ’11, who has interned at the gallery for three semesters, appreciates the contemporary look.

“The new renovations really modernize the gallery and make it much more welcoming and chic looking,” she said. “The Picker is a hidden gem on campus, and we are so lucky to have such an exquisite collection of works on paper and sculpture.”