Within the pages of The Boston Globe on Sunday came a lovely “Extra Insert” a special Issue called “The Gardner Grows” it is about The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum which re-opens this week (Jan 19-21 are Free Opening Days!) with what looks like spectacular new, and innovated new wing. For those that know about “who” and names, Renzo Piano designed it. Another exciting tidbit is the reopening of a restored Tapestry Room. There is a cool new café (Café G) with a hip upscale urban menu. A new feature of the Café is ” the restaurant will offer special menus inspired by History, collections, special exhibits, and horticultural. In the first, Crowley (Chef) has reinterpreted a Christmas meal Gardner once served, handwritten in the recipe book her mother gave her as wedding present.” * – pg 8 of Special section Magazine of “The Gardner Grows“
Concerts were originally in the famous Tapestry Room with an annual 10,000 listeners and The Museums New Wing holds a new concert Hall. It is a modern and striking Cube shape design. On Jan 1,1903 Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her museum with a concert by members of The Boston Symphony Orchestra and singers from the Cecillia Society. Again, the Read all about the new wing, old customs, get your hands on the insert or dig around on-line (see links below) .The Music hall and the whole museum is a wonderful story and is a great part of Boston’s Cultural side.
Other cool features of the new wing are:
- Green Spaces as in true Greenhouses and newly designed gardens to reflect Isabella’s love/passion for horticultural and Landscape Art.
- Visiting Artist accommodations. Two beautiful and glass fronted apartments available for artist-in-residence.
- Special Exhibition Gallery. “A soaring space includes an antegallery for light-sensitive objects. A movable translucent ceiling can be positioned to fit the size of specific art exhibits.” * (pg 24 Special section Magazine of “The Gardner Grows)
- Living Room. Inspired by a project from an artist in residence in 2000. A blend of personal and public spaces with the essence of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s palazzo.
More Good News: You would never know it but, under the museum are Eight Geothermal wells. The Museum is going for a gold LEED certification. A cert granted by the US Green Building Council. They are well on their way with the wells expected to save them 28% reduction in energy use. The site itself, near public transport. For employees alternative fuel vehicles are given parking preference and bike storage is available. Water efforts include drought tolerant plantings, rainwater reclamation, and low-flow fixtures. Inside the museum is a cool system that sensors and detect a certain level of sunlight filtering through the windows which automatically turns off electric lighting! Very Cool! Another inside feature is low-emission materials from paint to sealants to help over all air indoor air quality.
So lets all help support the Arts, Culture and great ideas by visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum if you can.
Visit the Gardner – Art comes to Life
280 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
Purchase Museum Tickets
The Gardner is closed temporarily until Jan. 19, 2012
in preparation for the opening of the new wing.
Information 617 566 1401
Box Office 617 278 5156
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