New Mackinac Art Museum Opens July 2
July 1, 2010
Mackinac Island, Mich. — After years of planning, construction, and preservation, the new Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum at the Indian Dormitory on Mackinac Island opens at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 2.
This state-of-the-art museum, generously funded by the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation, opens weeks ahead of schedule, enabling island visitors and residents to enjoy the art of Mackinac over Independence Day weekend, viewing and learning from documents such as maps and paintings that were created around the time of the Revolutionary War.
“The Mackinac Island State Park Commission and Mackinac State Historic Parks staff are thrilled to announce the opening of the new Mackinac art museum, which will provide visitors with the unique opportunity to experience great treasures from our collections and enjoy the work of contemporary Mackinac Island artists,” said Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks. “This wonderful addition to Mackinac State Historic Parks expands the commission’s offerings, further sharing the rich history of the Mackinac region.”
From an 1850s Ojibwa Bandolier to present-day paintings by island residents, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum displays historic treasures in Mackinac State Historic Parks' collection and inspires creativity in others. The art museum brings together Mackinac art created over the centuries, including a prehistoric pottery rim fragment created 1,200 years ago and excavated during the summer of 2008 near the Indian Dormitory elevator addition. Galleries include Native American fine and decorative art; 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes region; historic paintings, drawings, etchings, and photographs; Gardiner hand-tinted prints; historic fine arts; and contemporary art by island residents; among many others, all inspired by Mackinac. In addition, the many interactive audiovisual components and hands-on techniques located throughout the museum are included to enhance visitor enjoyment and learning.
“It's our hope that such interactive exhibits will spark conversations about the pieces and perhaps what you think the work meant to the artist, to the original viewers, and to you,” said Steve Brisson, Mackinac State Historic Parks chief curator.
Future plans include art classes and arts and crafts opportunities in the lower level education room.
The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between July 2 and August 21 and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between August 22 and October 10. Each day, the last admission ticket will be sold one-half hour prior to closing. The cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 5-17, and free for children 4 and under and Mackinac Associates members. Log on to http://www.mackinacparks.com/mackinac-art-museum/ or call 906-847-3328 for more information.
Grand opening celebrations are planned for mid-July, and includes the Grand Mackinac Art and Antiques Appraisal Show on July 15 at Grand Hotel, which includes a morning art and antiques lecture series keynoted by the Keno Brothers and art and antiques appraisals in the afternoon and evening. The cost is $30 per person. Preregistration by July 8 is required. To register, contact Jolene Priest at 906-847-3328. Download Registration Form.
Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Association of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park, Historic Downtown, and The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at 231-436-4100.
