In a momentous occasion for art enthusiasts and the Notre Dame community alike, the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art opened its doors on December 1. The fruition of years of meticulous planning, construction, and art curation has culminated in a stunning 70,000 square foot facility that promises to be a cultural gem.
To celebrate this grand opening, the museum invited the public to a three-day opening event on Friday, December 1, 2023. The festivities featured live music, engaging hands-on activities, and an opportunity to explore the captivating exhibitions housed within the expansive museum.
Raclin Murphy’s historically thematic galleries unfold around a multi-level atrium that rises to a central skylight. On the main level, visitors will experience the theme of “Time: Nature” through European and American art created between 1700 and 1900 and encounter a diverse collection of African art dating from 2000 B.C. to the present day. Additional highlights of the main level include decorative arts, a teaching gallery, learning commons for K-12 audiences and families, a cafe, and a bookshop.
Jill Fischer Provost expressed her excitement, stating, “The stunning exhibition spaces and the luminous works of art they contain will captivate us with their beauty, spark important conversations in the classroom and beyond, and enable us to think in new ways about our past, present, and future.”
Nestled in the picturesque nine-acre Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park, the museum harmonizes with the landscape, allowing for the seamless expansion of its outdoor sculpture collection. The park, an oasis of native plantings and grasses, serves as an outdoor extension of the Museum.
Similar to the Snite Museum of Art, the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art is committed to accessibility, offering free admission to the public. The museum will also feature a diverse range of temporary exhibitions to keep the artistic experience ever-changing. Convenient parking is available across the street at Eddy Street Commons.
For more details and to be part of this historic South Bend moment, visit raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the transformative power of art!
