The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art reopened on Nov. 7th. The grand reopening drew a large crowd as the museum hosted festivities over three days. The museum closed in June, 2017 for renovation and while construction was completed in December, 2018, they needed time to move the artwork and employees back into the museum.

While the building was not extended, the museum did gain 20,000-square-feet as the Fine Art Library closed down prior to renovations. That space now includes an education center, art making studio and administrative offices. Other new additions include two galleries, a print drawings and photographs center, a lecture hall and three observations and study rooms. The new wellness and art-marking studio will host art therapy groups and wellness activities with art therapist, Lauren Daugherty.

The café originally, a large gift store with a small coffee shop inside, has been transformed into the Luzetta & Del Newkirk Gift Shop and Café which has a large seating area and a small gift store. The café also has a contemporary art installation, “A Gust of Wind” on the roof, which was designed by London’s Paul Cocksedge.

In 2015, Sidney and Lois Eskenazi donated $15 million dollars to the museum which was the largest cash gift in the museum’s history. Indiana University supported that donated an additional $15 million dollars as part of the IU Bicentennial Campaign match program.

Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the museum is sibling to Pei’s glass pyramid entrance at the Louvre in Paris, France and the east building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art galleries are closed on Monday, open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Entry to the museum is free, for more information visit: https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/