Over the course of the summer, the small but mighty Fleming team–composed of staff and interns–has made significant changes to the Museum’s Collections Gallery. These changes include improvements to the physical space of the galleries, and a complete reinstallation of art objects drawn from across the Fleming’s collections. Both of which aim to make the Collections Gallery a more welcoming and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy.
We are excited for visitors to experience the physical transformation of the Collections Gallery. A more spacious entrance, as well as newly added benches, combine to make the galleries more accessible and inviting. Upgrades to lighting throughout the galleries enhance, for example, the appearance of boldly colored paintings and luminous metal objects. And walls freshly painted–vivid blue or warm gray–create a vibrant space for exploring art that has a greater sense of coherence and improved wayfinding.
Visitors to the Collections Gallery will also find a new, more expansive installation of art objects. This installation brings together objects from disparate time periods, geographic locations, and cultures. Through selecting such a diversity of works, we aim to present a more global, inclusive, and relevant installation—generating new opportunities for meaning making.
The Collections Gallery also presents a selection of art that enacts values articulated in Fleming Reimagined. We have prioritized showing works that amplify diverse perspectives, giving greater visibility to artists who are members of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities or whose work centers such folks. We have also arranged objects thematically to invite reflecting on urgent topics within the museum context and beyond. Repatriating cultural heritage, racism and police violence, the climate crisis, and LGBTQ+ rights and representation are but a few.
The reinstalled, physically transformed Collections Gallery is just the beginning of an ongoing, iterative reimagining of this space. Moving forward, objects will be rotated more frequently, with input from visitors, students, faculty, interns, and staff. On your next visit to the Fleming, spend time in the Collections Gallery exploring objects that may be familiar favorites, as well as some that have rarely been shown and still others that are new to the Fleming. Your feedback is encouraged and welcomed!
