The Westmoreland reopens: A safe space to contemplate art in the midst of pandemic

Doug and Connie Clutter of Washington, Pa., were the first guests through the door when The Westmoreland Museum of American Art reopened Wednesday.

A watercolor painter, Connie said she was in need of some inspiration for her work.

“We needed an outing, too,” her husband said.

“I just missed art museums,” said Laurie Thompson of Murrysville, next to arrive with her father and stepmother, Rob and Diane Thompson, also of Murrysville.

“Seeing art is so uplifting during this time,” Diane Thompson said. “Online is a great option, but you miss the subtleties and nuances of the art that you see in person.”

Her words echoed the hopes of museum staff, said Anne Kraybill, The Westmoreland’s Richard M. Scaife director/CEO.

“Initially, staff members were concerned (about reopening) in terms of safety,” she said. “But we worked through that, and they were so excited to see each other again and connect with the community” — and to offer the community a safe space in which to contemplate and appreciate art.

“We took into consideration what things we could remove (to accommodate social distancing) and still give visitors a great experience,” said Randall Oaks, director of visitor experiences and events. “We took away the few touchable things that are in the museum. We worked on ways to give visitors a warm welcome in a mask, like body language and facial expressions.”

Masks required

The Westmoreland is now open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Admission is free, but advance online registration is required to limit the number of visitors on-site. Masks are required, and the museum is following sanitizing protocols.

The exhibition that was on display when the museum closed in March, “African American Art in the 20th Century,” will continue through Jan. 17, along with a small exhibition titled “A Complement to African American Art in the 20th Century.” The smaller exhibit features works from Pittsburgh-area artists past and present, including Vanessa German, Charles “Teenie” Harris and Thaddeus Mosley.

Also showing are several works that are being considered for acquisition by the museum, including contemporary painter Stephen Towns’ “The Pioneer,” a work from a series on West Virginia’s Black coal miners. Towns will be featured in an exhibition in 2022, Kraybill said.

Collections manager Doug Evans was in the museum daily during the shutdown, along with one other staff member.

“There were days when it felt a little lonely, but it was incredible to have that experience,” he said.

Artist residency

The museum’s Marchand Café and Center for Creative Connections remain closed, Kraybill said. The creative space will be given over temporarily to two resident artists being chosen in partnership with Boom Concepts, a Pittsburgh group that offers studio space and assistance to artists and creative entrepreneurs from marginalized groups.

“(The artists) likely will be responding to the museum’s collection, producing work and engaging with the public,” Kraybill said.

The Museum Shop is open to six shoppers at a time. They will be asked to sanitize hands upon entering and exiting and to refrain from handling merchandise whenever possible.

Shop manager Dwi Bartlebaugh is available via a tablet mounted to a rolling stand to serve as a “virtual shopper.”

“We’re offering as many contactless options as possible,” Oaks said, including online shopping, curbside pickup and payment by phone.

Kraybill said she was encouraged by the number of visitors attending special Aug. 1-2 visiting hours for museum members and essential workers, and hopes that will extend to the current public hours.

For Rob Thompson, it was great to have the opportunity to enjoy art in person.

“It’s been a long haul” in isolation, he said.

“Alone in the galleries, I felt like Mr. DuPont was watching over friends as I took in the collection,” Evans said. “But this time was also sad to me, because our collection is meant to be shared and to be enjoyed by all.”

“Art provides comfort in a time like this,” Oaks added.