El Paso Museum of Art closes second-floor galleries during upgrades

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) is closing the second-floor galleries for approximately eight weeks as the facility undergoes a “major infrastructure” upgrade, the City of El Paso announced in a news release.

The City said during the coming months, the museum’s temperature and humidity control systems will undergo replacements and maintenance to keep EPMA’s collection protected from fluctuations.

“Environmental upgrades are critical because rapid changes in heat and humidity can damage artwork, especially works as old as some in our collection,” said El Paso Museum of Art Director Edward Hayes. “As stewards of the permanent collection and caretakers of temporary loans entrusted to us, we are committed to maintaining stable climate readings in our facility. This summer maintenance project—a complete overhaul of our aging systems—will allow the EPMA galleries to be available to the community for decades to come.”

During maintenance, gallery pieces most vulnerable to environmental fluctuations will be stored in the EPMA’s climate-controlled archives, according to the City.

The City said while upstairs galleries are closed, the “Siempre Selena” exhibit on the second-floor mezzanine will remain accessible to visitors.

“First-floor galleries and exhibitions remain open, and the EPMA will continue offering programming including summer camps, film screenings and special events,” read the news release.

The El Paso Museum of Art is free and open Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information about the El Paso Museum of Art, including exhibitions and events, visit here.

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