The Muse
Newsletter of the Slater Memorial Museum Spring 2010
Museum Operations to Focus on Renewal By now steadfast members of the Friends of Slater Museum have heard that in January of this year, the boards of the Norwich Free Academy and the NFA Foundation voted to proceed with a project of major proportion that will make the museum (among other contiguous facilities) universally accessible. Design is by the Hartford architecture firm of DuBose Associates. For many of our readers, this is long awaited and anticipated with great joy. But you may ask, “what, exactly will it entail?�
The project will result in the construction of a new atrium connector that will essentially fill the space between Slater, Converse and both Norton and Alumni Gymnasiums. The design of the largely steel and glass structure has it set back from the front (Crescent Street) edge of Slater, so as to avoid its either overshadowing the historic structure or creating the visual effect of Slater and Norton being one building. The NFA Board and Facilities Committee were clear in their directive to the architects to preserve the campus image of several individual buildings nestled on several acres. Ground breaking is slated for mid-April.
Cutaway digital rendering of the new Atrium. The timeline will begin at the main groundfloor front entrance. (Continued on page 3)
A Message from the Director Ah !… Spring at long last ... a time of new beginnings. And what beginnings are in store for the Slater Museum! By now most of you are aware that we will break ground in April for the long-awaited accessibility project. This will have huge (positive) implications for our visitors – and some pretty significant implications for museum staff as well. Our tasks on the immediate front are monumental and you can read more about them in this issue. Be assured, however, that we are as eager to see the project completed as are our donors and members. Whatever is required, we are ready, willing and able. To learn more about what’s ahead … read on.
Upcoming Exhibitions, Programs and Events 116th Annual Saturday Morning Art Classes Exhibition
April 11, 2010 - 1:00 p.m. Exhibition opening and reception. Free with museum admission. All are welcome.
Notable Norwich Lecture Series
April 11, 2010 - 3:00 p.m. Henry Watson Kent & The Slater Museum. Details available at www.slatermuseum.org.
Friends of Slater Annual Meeting
April 25, 2010 - 11:00 a.m. Brunch and lecture. Please turn to page 6 for more details.
The 119th Annual Norwich Art School Exhibition
May 14, 2010 - 7:00 p.m. Exhibition opening and reception. Free with museum admission. All are welcome.
The Muse is published up to four times yearly for the members of The Friends of the Slater Memorial Museum. The museum is located at 108 Crescent Street, Norwich, CT 06360. It is part of The Norwich Free Academy, 305 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. Museum main telephone number: (860) 887-2506. Visit us on the web at www.slatermuseum.org. Museum Director – Vivian F. Zoë Newsletter editor – Geoff Serra Contributing authors: Vivian Zoë, Leigh Smead and Patricia Flahive Photographers: Leigh Smead, Vivian Zoë The president of the Friends of the Slater Memorial Museum: Patricia Flahive The Norwich Free Academy Board of Trustees: Steven L. Bokoff ’72, Chair Jeremy D. Booty ‘74 Richard DesRoches * Abby I. Dolliver ‘71 Lee-Ann Gomes ‘82, Treasurer Thomas M. Griffin ‘70, Secretary Thomas Hammond ‘75 Theodore N. Phillips ’74 Robert A. Staley ’68 Dr. Mark E. Tramontozzi ’76 David A. Whitehead ’78, Vice Chair *Museum collections committee The Norwich Free Academy does not discriminate in its educational programs, services or employment on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, color, handicapping condition, age, marital status or sexual orientation. This is in accordance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and other civil rights or discrimination issues; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991.
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(Continued from page 1)
doorway, where there is currently a window, from the new atrium into the museum. There may be some additional de-installation on the mezzanine during this process, both to accommodate new installation and to protect fragile objects. In the upper mezzanine, the Paul Zimmerman Gallery of African and Oceanic Art will be completely de-installed and the museum staff offices will be moved into this space. This will be a permanent move, allowing the current offices to be converted into a new visitors’ center where an admission desk, gift shop and, possibly refreshment kiosk will be created. A new location will be established for the Zimmerman collection.
Digital interpretation of the new Atrium between the Norton Gym (left) and the Slater Museum (right).
In order to prepare for the general construction and several smaller, code-required interior projects, museum staff will be busy deinstalling objects and exhibitions in three corners, one length and three levels of the museum. The priority is protection of the collection. As you will read on page 4, the large flat case formerly exhibiting silver, jewelry, lace and beaded bags has been deinstalled to prepare for conservation of the Pergamon Frieze. Crocker’s Norwich will be at least partially de-installed to accommodate work in the southeast corner of the Slater building to re-work a fire-rated stair. The exhibition will be re-installed, possibly in another location and in an expanded form.
Perhaps most important, many of the casts along the northern “nave arcade” of the cast
The Case Gallery of early American fine and decorative art on the mezzanine will be deinstalled to accommodate work for the same fire-rated stair which will emerge through three levels. A plan will be developed to integrate the Norwich-related objects currently in the Case Gallery into a new exhibition as part of the Norwich Galleries. On the opposite side of the Mezzanine, in the Northeast corner, the 19th century American Gallery will be de-installed, both to protect the fragile glassware, clocks, paintings and ceramics, and to accommodate the opening of a new
The American Gallery (above) and the Raymond B. Case Gallery (below) at the Slater Memorial Museum.
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gallery will be moved and reinforced. This is to protect the fragile and important casts from the inevitable vibrations of heavy construction work in the space between Slater and Norton. Some can be moved into the center “nave” of the cast gallery. Some, with cantilevered limbs, may be supported with braces and padding. Others may literally require partial disassembly. A partial partition wall supporting several bas reliefs will be de-installed. For the work to protect the casts, the Slater’s expert, Robert Shure of Giust Caproni Studio, will supervise. It is even anticipated that the wings of the Victory of Samothrace may need to be temporarily removed to prevent their joints from loosening and forming cracks in the plaster. Moses will be crated, enveloped in foam and bubble wrapped to ensure his safety from vibration and workmen’s activity.
on Sachem Street, where there is much better climate control and environment. Bob Shure has carried out a needs inventory for every cast to help ensure that it won’t be damaged during construction. The 2006 condition assessment of the casts which included x-raying some has proven invaluable in this work. Volunteer Barry Wilson is assisting locally with fabrication of bracing. NFA Facilities staff is helping to transport objects to Sachem Street. The preparation work will continue through the spring so that staff can focus on re-installation during the summer. Several galleries will be re-installed according to more unified themes around the Norwich Galleries. Familiar objects will be refreshed with new interpretation and scholarship. The Sears gallery now housing Around the World on the Yacht Eleanor: The Slaters’ Grand Tour, will remain an anchor for visitors and members throughout the construction. Though the work ahead will be complex and often physically demanding, the small staff is welcoming it with eager anticipation.
Much work has already begun. Objects in storage have been moved to the NFA building
The Slater Museum Needs Your Help! As we prepare for construction over the coming year, the museum staff is in need of the following items to help ensure the safety of the collection: Clean blankets and sheets Packing paper Bubble wrap If you would like to donate any of the above items to the museum, please call 860-425-5563 to arrange your delivery.
Cast conservator Bob Sure inspects Winged Victory in the Slater Museum’s Cast Gallery as volunteer Barry Wilson of Norwich looks on.
Thank you for your continued support! 4
Grand Tour Exhibition Wins CLHO Award
state gathered to review a record number of applications submitted by their peers. These applications represented some of the most professional and dedicated work that is happening at our historic sites across the state.
The Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO) presented its 2010 Award of Merit to The Slater Museum for its permanent exhibition Around the World on the Yacht Eleanor: The Slaters’ Grand Tour.
The Slater Museum’s nominated project, Around the World on the Yacht Eleanor: The Slaters’ Grand Tour, occupies the space many in Norwich have come to know as the Grace S. and Lewis Sears Gallery, which was originally built as the Norwich Free Academy’s first library. The room’s soaring, barrel-vaulted wood ceiling with massive struts suggests the hull of a ship. When the room became a part of the museum’s galleries, it gradually was installed with mostly European fine and decorative art, with little or no overall theme.
The CLHO presents Awards of Merit to institutions and individuals who exhibit the highest of professional standards, and who enhance and further the knowledge and understanding of Connecticut history. The purpose of the Awards of Merit is to recognize the care, thought and effort invested in these contributions and to inspire and encourage others by acknowledging exceptional contributions to state and local history.
As a result of renewed interest in the Slater family’s story and the remarkable gift of the museum to the Academy and the serendipitous discovery of a model of the yacht built for William and Ellen Slater, museum staff began to research the yacht and the family’s deployment of it. Discoveries included the letters home of a young crew member of the ship, transcribed by his grandson and several sailing-oriented websites with chatrooms wherein descendants of crew members and
In February and March of this year, a committee of museum professionals from across the
Overhead views of the Sears Gallery before (above) and after (below) its 2009 transformation.
Photo album, logbook, silver and linens from the Slaters’1894/95 Grand Tour.
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later owners of the ship recounted the tales they heard as children. Perhaps most significant were newly nurtured contacts with Slater descendants who donated objects including a massive two-volume album of photographs from the Grand Tour, the First officer’s detailed Log Book from the trip, table linens and a plate from the yacht’s unique and proprietary dinnerware set.
and during the same era the Slaters were touring. Literally hundreds of objects received as donations comprise the best examples and the most interesting stories. The Connecticut League of History Organizations maintains an office in Hamden, sharing the headquarters of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. The Connecticut League of History Organizations encourages and supports the activities of state historical organizations, enhances knowledge of state history, promotes professional standards, serves as a network for the exchange of information, and advances historical interests at the state level.
During exit interviews with graduating seniors at the Norwich Free Academy, parent of the Slater Museum, a recurring response to the question about what had been lacking in their educational experience, was “Geography.” These young people said that they had trouble finding countries on a world map and knew very little about the many countries of Asia, including South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This revelation was one of the inspirations for the new exhibition.
The Slater Memorial Museum is proud and grateful for this recognition. Juried Show Well-Attended
The Museum endeavored to tell and make real the Slaters’ Grand Tour story using objects of the era, and from the places and representing the cultures the Slater family visited on their tour. Over its 122-year history, the Slater Museum has been the beneficiary of many local families who as tourists purchased objects on voyages to the same places
The opening of the Slater Museum’s 67th Annual Connecticut Artists Juried Exhibition, held February21, was betterattended than any in the past three years. The packed crowd enjoyed refreshments as they perused some of the best artwork the state has to offer. Juror Leslie Lillien Levy, awarded nine pieces equal prizes, plus five honorable mentions. Artists from virtually every corner of the state submitted work and the prizes were spread state-wide as well.
Model of the yacht Eleanor. Collection of the Slater Memorial Museum.
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Friends of Slater Museum Annual Meeting April 25
New Grant for Cast Conservation
A brunch at 11:00 a.m. is scheduled for Sunday, April 25 to mark the Friends of Slater Museum Annual Meeting. Committee and staff reports will made and the election of new board members will take place. The brunch is always enjoyable with good food and camaraderie and this year’s speaker promises to be enlightening. James Reed will speak on the history of the etching, provide examples and tips on how to determine if something is real or fake. In addition, he will feature former Norwich Art School director, and master of the etching, Ozias Dodge in his presentation.
The Temple of Olympia Pediment model was restored with a previous Langrock Foundation grant.
The David T. Langrock Foundation has awarded a grant of $ 10,000 to make much-needed conservation work on the Slater’s copy of the Pergamon Frieze possible. Even before the NFA board’s decision to move ahead with the accessibility project, this was a priority project. Many years ago, but well after the casts were assembled, a display case was installed on the top of the Frieze’s cornice, running the entire length of it. The case was very well-built, of heavy, early pine and includes five large plate glass doors. The case was then loaded with hundreds of wonderful artifacts – many themselves quite heavy – such as silver, ivory, beaded bags and jewelry.
James Reed received his BA from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and an MA from the San Francisco State University. He is the owner, Master Printer of Milestone Graphics, Bridgeport, CT. Considered a master printer of both intaglio and lithography he has printed in various shops throughout the United States, Mexico and France. Mr. Reed has collaborated with over two hundred artists during a professional career that has spanned over thirty-five years. His personal art work is owned by many public and corporate collections including New York Public Library (NYC), Achenbach Print Foundation (San Francisco) and the Tamarind Institute. Selected solo exhibitions include; Studio Cerqueux, Cerqueux sous Passavant, France and Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco and participation in more than 100 group exhibitions throughout the United States and Mexico and Europe.
Over the years, evidence that the cornice was beginning to separate from the Cast Gallery’s interior columns and lean forward began to emerge. Naturally, the concern is both for the safety of visitors and the protection and restoration of the piece itself. Couple all of this with the inevitable vibration from the construction to begin in April, and the issue becomes urgent! Thanks to the grant from the Langrock Foundation, Slater’s Cast Conservator, Robert Shure will take whatever immediate steps are possible to stabilize the cornice, while developing a longterm strategy, so that, at a minimum, the cast will be deemed safe, and hopefully, the case can be re-installed when the work is complete. We are immensely grateful to the David T. Langrock Foundation for this and past grants to the Slater Museum.
Apple Blossoms by Ozias Dodge, etching, n.d.
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THE NORWICH ART SCHOOL’S 115TH CHILDREN’S EXHIBTION April 11 - May 5, 2010 Opening Reception: April 11, 1 - 3 p.m. THE 119TH NORWICH ART SCHOOL STUDENT EXHIBITION May 14 - June 6, 2010 Opening Reception: May 14, 7 - 9 p.m.
Artwork by Madeline Bennett, 8th grade
These seperate exhibits will features art works by Academy students who were enrolled in the numerous art courses that were offered during the academic school year. Paintings, drawings, prints and mixed media pieces, photography and graphic designs, sculpture, clay objects, metal and jewelry creations, and wood working projects are displayed in conjunction with pieces that feature works by students who major in the school’s Fine Arts Program.
SERVICE CHANGE REQUESTED