Bringing Art and People Together
Since 1927, Louisville's Speed Art Museum has made art accessible

When the Speed Art Museum opened in 1927 it was widely hailed as one of the most modern museums in the United States. This was due in great part to Louisville architect Arthur Loomis’ design which included spacious sky lit galleries. That reputation for extraordinary beauty has continued thanks to the Museum’s growing European and American collection. Following an extensive $12 million renovation completed in 1997, The Speed Art Museum continues to focus on its mission – bringing great art and people together.

“People who visit the Speed for the first time always remark on how excellent the collection is and how it is well displayed and interpreted,” says Chief Curator Ruth Cloudman. “I think the museum provides a wonderful experience for looking and learning about art.”

The collection includes 8,000 works of art that range from European painting and sculpture to Native American art. Special exhibits are permanently on display such as the Kentucky Collection, Native American Gallery, English Renaissance Room, and Tapestry Gallery. There is also a new gallery for decorative arts and a new gallery for the museum’s premier collection of early Kentucky painting, sculpture, and decorative arts. The Grand Foyer Sculpture Gallery highlights the museum’s strong collection of American and European sculpture.

“At their best, museums are imbued with a love of beauty and inquiry, and provide a place of study and appreciation. They convene urban communities, engage the public imagination and are committed to public service,” says Peter Morrin, museum director.

The Speed Art Museum also works hard to make each visit a learning experience for all ages and interests. This effort includes the Laramie Leatherman Art Learning Center for Hands-on Family Activities as well as multi-layered labels for the collections.

The Laramie Leatherman Art Learning Center creates totally unique hands-on experiences in the visual arts with workshop spaces, computer learning stations, and Art Sparks – a 3,000-s.f. interactive gallery featuring more than 25 multi-sensory activities. The Center is the result of a unique collaboration between the Museum and more than 15 nationally-recognized educators and artists.

The Museum’s Outreach to schools is key to the Museum’s educational mission. Last year, 17,000 students from Kentucky and Indiana visited the Speed as part of their studies.

Mrs. James Breckinridge Speed established the Speed Art Museum as a memorial to her industrialist husband. Opening its doors in January, 1927, the Speed is Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum, built of Bowling Green limestone in the Greek Revival style.

In 1954, the Preston Pope Satterwhite wing was added in his memory and contains much of his own collection of medieval and Renaissance works. The octagonal New Wing opened in 1973 and was designed especially to display modern and contemporary works. A South Addition was completed in 1983 to provide 40 percent more exhibit space.

Today the museum attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually. From architecture to still life, computer graphics to tapestry, the Speed’s visitors can enjoy all that art has to offer.
 

Deanna Mascle is a staff writer for The Lane Report.
editorial@lanereport.com

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