Update: Monday, March 30
In response to the heightened concerns relating to the spread of the coronavirus, the Museum will remain closed to the public until we have been given assurance from State authorities that it is safe to resume normal operations. During this time, all Museum events are cancelled or postponed. This measure reflects our commitment to do what we can to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors, and community.
Update: Friday, March 13
Dear Lyman Allyn Friends,
Yesterday we posted a message announcing the Lyman Allyn’s intent to remain open while we closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak. In response to the heightened concerns relating to the spread of the coronavirus, the Museum has now decided to close to the public beginning Saturday, March 14 and remain closed through at least March 31. During this time, all Museum events are cancelled or postponed. This precautionary measure reflects our commitment to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors, and community.
Given the evolving nature of the outbreak, we will carefully reassess the situation in the coming weeks and share updates as they become available. Please continue to check our website for new information. We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you to the Lyman Allyn again soon.
If you need to contact a staff member, please email them.
Sincerely,
Sam Quigley
Director
Update: Thursday, March 12
As you no doubt are aware, the State of Connecticut has declared a public health emergency in response to COVID-19.
Our visitors’ well-being is our primary focus amid recent concerns around coronavirus, and we are taking precautions to keep our visitors, members, and staff healthy. While our galleries and exhibitions remain open for regular business hours, we ask that you consider your own health, and the well-being of others, before you make your decision to visit a public space.
Here are some of the steps we are taking to welcome visitors into a safe environment:
- All door handles and stairway banisters are disinfected three times a day.
- Hand sanitation stations are located at the front desk, the 2nd floor landing, and inside the art studio.
- Antibacterial wipes are located downstairs in the children’s play area and by the TV outside of Glassenberg Gallery for visitors to clean the headphones at their discretion.
- The glass doors leading into American Perspectives, Glassenberg Gallery, and the 2nd floor galleries all have signs indicating visitors are to push, not pull on the doors.
- The Art Studio will be given a thorough cleaning before and after it is scheduled to be used.
- The auditorium will be given a thorough cleaning before and after it is scheduled to be used.
Based on our current knowledge of best practices and prudent recommendations, listed below is information regarding scheduled programs and events through March and April:
- Homeschool classes scheduled for March 17 and April 21 will proceed as normal for now.
- March’s Science Saturday (March 21) will proceed as scheduled.
- Todd Gipstein’s photography lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, has been postponed until April. More details, with an exact date, to come.
- Tom Schuch and Mary Sherman Lycan’s lecture, Hidden History: Slavery, Racism, and The Slave Trade in Colonial and Antebellum New London, scheduled for Thursday, March 26, has been postponed until Fall 2020.
- A decision regarding April’s Free First Saturday will be made closer to the date.
- April Vacation workshops (April 14-17) will proceed as scheduled.
- Decisions on April lectures will be made closer to the scheduled date.
- The current Art History for All class will proceed as scheduled. A decision regarding the Art History for All class with Rick Friswell starting April 28 has not been made yet.
- Adult groups currently scheduled for docent-led tours of the Museum will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please call the Education Department at 860.443.2545 ext. 2110.
- The Soaring and Scrumptious fundraising event, scheduled on April 25, will be held on June 6.
We will continue to communicate any further impacts to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum as a result of COVID-19. In the meantime, we will post updates on our social media platforms and website.
Please follow us at:
Facebook: Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Instagram: @Lyman_Allyn
Website: www.lymanallyn.org
Thank you for your patience as we work through this developing situation, together. And remember, if you are not feeling well or are experiencing flu-like symptoms, take care of yourself and plan to visit the Museum at another time.