NC Museum of Art Building Progress

Raleigh, NC Attractions 2009

The Raleigh-based NC Museum of Art is undergoing a major expansion that will double the size of the exhibit space. The museum, located on Blue Ridge Road at the intersection with Reedy Creek Road, is a delightful place to visit even during the construction.

All regular exhibits, with the exception of special exhibits, are free of charge. It is a very worthwhile place for art lovers and anyone curious about art from around the world. The have ancient art from Rome and Egypt, art from American historical periods, art from some of the best noted historical artists, art from Jewish history, and interesting new art pieces on temporary display.

They don't just have pictures and statues at the museum. The land surrounding the buildings has a section of the Raleigh Greenway Reedy Creek Trail that is called the Museum Trails. Bordering this trail there are a half dozen to a dozen huge art exhibits that can be viewed as you give your legs a good stretching.

There is more. They have a pond that has a bench or two where you can sit and watch waterfowl glide around, prairie land that is being restored to a natural setting that is full of song birds, and a forest that offers furry creatures a place to hide and live.

If you are a hiker or biker, the Reedy Creek connection can lead you south to the Meredith College portion of the trail or north to the trail which continues across Umstead Park all the way to Durham. There are a lot of choices for those who cannot stand still.

Max talked briefly with the nice lady who was staffing the information desk. She stated that there is an underground tunnel between the buildings for the staff. The visitors will have to transit on the ground level where the space in front of the entrance to the older building will be transformed.

She informed Max that the grand opening of the new museum buildings is scheduled for April 2010. April, according to the nice lady, is the month that the original museum opened and it is the month the new buildings will open. Max got the idea, correct or not, that there was something important about an April tradition.

She also explained that the concrete walls that currently surround the construction will be removed. Behind these walls are aluminum walls that will give the building a very modern look. There are hints of this look which can be seen in the construction.

Max watched as a group of children were being shown some of the art by a very capable docent. She had the children eating out of her hand as she showed them how the art used warm and cool colors to create the effects they could see.

If you aren't so able at making art interesting and want to bring the kids, going when the public tours are being held may be a way to get the best value. The docents really bring the art to life for all ages.

The museum gift shop is a fabulous little shop with very good value. It is an excellent place to buy gifts as well as an entertaining place to browse.

Max hopes to be there for the opening in 2010. He is eager to see how the new museum looks. He is curious about the Auguste Rodin statues which he heard will be displayed.

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Link one the museum homepage.

Link two the museum store.

Link three is to Auguste Rodin's biography.