The Westmoreland Museum of American Art Hosts Grand Reopening Celebration Events on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Claire Ertl, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
724.837.1500 x128
certl@thewestmoreland.org
aerial_viewSidebySide
Aerial view of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art prior to renovation and expansion (left) juxtaposed against rendering of the building’s new design by Ennead Architects (right).
GREENSBURG, PA, October 20, 2015 – After a two-year renovation and expansion project tied to a $38 million capital and endowment fundraising campaign, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art marks its reopening with The Sky’s the Limit Grand Reopening Celebration special events happening this weekend on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2015.
On Saturday, October 24, a VIP cocktail party beginning at 5:30pm and featuring culinary delights by Bob Sendall of All in Good Taste Productions, special performances by Flute Cocktail in partnership with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and musical entertainment by Cello Fury is already sold out. A limited number of tickets are still available for the Sky Dance Party from 7:30 to 11pm, also on Saturday the 24th. The Sky Dance Party line up of music and entertainment includes Tracksploitation, DJ Gordy, Beauty Slap, Attack Theatre, The Stefan T. Zubal Project and hula hooper Amanda Fey Peck as well as food stations by popular area restaurants and a cash bar. To purchase tickets for the Sky Dance Party, visit showclix.com/event/TheSkystheLimit or call 724.837.1500 x127. Event proceeds benefit The Westmoreland’s exhibition and education programs. Presenting sponsor is UPMC Health Plan, and Media Sponsor is Trib Total Media.
On Sunday, October 25, a free Community Day from 11am to 3pm includes fun activities for the whole family. Visitors will be treated to entertainment by the Colonel Eagleburger’s Highstepping Goodtime Band, Greensburg theatrical troupe Stage Right! and DJ KellyMom of Kid City Rockers, an indie dance project specifically designed for children and their families. In addition, puppet shows presented by puppeteers Tom Sarver and Mike Curraro and art activities for children will take place throughout the day. Local vendors will provide refreshments. Community Day is generously supported by the Jack Buncher Foundation.
Judith O’Toole, The Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO, remarks, “After years of planning and two of construction, we are so pleased that The New Westmoreland is the museum we have always hoped it could be. The transformation of the existing building and the addition of a dramatic east wing, all set in a lush landscape, is breathtaking. The new and restored galleries are seamless, and the newly enhanced collections are impressive. We can hardly wait to open our doors to the public with our free Community Day event on Sunday, October 25!”
Designed by Ennead Architects, the renovation and expansion of The Westmoreland creates a new face and identity for the Museum as a counterpoint to the original neo-Georgian structure, which has been preserved on the building’s north side. The result is an architecturally-dynamic building marrying old with new – all with transparency and accessibility in mind. The Museum’s transformation goes beyond the building itself to the site where a new landscape featuring indigenous plantings and intended for public enjoyment and community gatherings extends the Museum beyond its walls to connect the grounds to the surrounding neighborhood.
According to Ennead partner Timothy Hartung, “Having grown up in the area, it is a personal honor to return and to be part of The Westmoreland’s future. Professionally, we have enjoyed collaborating with the Museum to create a building that enhances its position as a beacon for arts in the local community and a cultural icon for the region at large.”
Renovation and Expansion Details
The Building

  • The existing 30,000 square foot building was completely renovated.
  • A 13,287 square foot east wing addition with new galleries and community and educational programming spaces was added to the existing building structure.
  • The addition is designed to achieve LEED Silver certification.
  • The transformational design was created by Ennead Architects (New York, New York) with team led by design partner Susan T. Rodriguez and management partner Timothy Hartung.
  • The cantilevered second floor gallery of the new wing provides expanded space for traveling exhibition display as well as new collection of post-1950 artwork.
  • The lower level of the new wing features a large community room for Westmoreland Jazz Society concerts, lectures and community and private events.
  • The renovation includes a dedicated interactive space, named the Center for Creative Connections, designed by Quatrefoil Associates (Laurel, Maryland) in coordination with The Westmoreland’s Director of Education & Visitor Engagement Joan McGarry to enhance the visitor’s experience through hands-on activities relating to the permanent collection.

The Gardens

  • Designed by LaQuatra Bonci Landscape Architects (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), a series of intimate gardens and outdoor terraces, fully ADA accessible, with native plants and trees, surrounds the building.
  • The gardens also feature seating areas and Wi-Fi access.

About The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, located at 221 N. Main Street in Greensburg, PA, recently completed a major renovation and expansion with its grand reopening celebratory events taking place on October 24 and 25, 2015. The Westmoreland’s collections include works by major American artists from four centuries, including its newest collection of post-1950 artwork. As part of a multi-year business plan tied to the renovation and expansion project, the Museum launched Imagine What’s Possible: The Westmoreland Capital and Endowment Campaign. To date, over $28 million has been raised towards the $38 million campaign goal. More information is available at thewestmoreland.org.
###