WSU Museum of Art and Artist Studio Field Trip

I have been to a few museums in my life time, the Tacoma Museum of Glass is the largest one I have visited though I have seen a few other small galleries. The museum here at WSU is not one I frequent, but I have been there a couple times. Normally I just walk in a peruse the art, not paying attention to how it is layed out, the architecture of the space or the type of lighting. Now faced with a project that includes a gallery space all of these aspects are crucial. During the tour of the WSU Museum of Art, our guide was kind enough to explain to us the ins and outs of setting up a display. He explained that the art is displayed in a order that gets people ready for the rest of the gallery, a sort of preview. The rest of the space was very open, which allowed visitors to walk through the space in any way they wanted. The display walls were all on wheels, which I thought was a good idea. It allows for a different set up depending on the type of show. The lights were on tracks which also allowed flexibility. Overall I think that I may take a few things from the WSU Museums and incorporate them into my project, most specifically the lighting and movable walls.

The field trip to the artist studio was also very beneficial. It showed that a small space can accommodate an artist quite well. Carrie, the artist, took great advantage of using the space in multiple ways. The back storage closet kept her "messy" things from plain view, provided storage near the ceiling and could also be used as a model's changing room. Eye hooks attached to window sills allowed her to hang a drapery to provide a clean background when photographing models. Her blank wall space gave her room to hang her art, and track lights allowed her to light them in the occasion a client wanted to stop by. The windows in her studio were situated in such a way that they provided natural light to her work spaces eliminating the need for a lot of artificial light. Florescent lights were installed to provide light when she worked during the evenings. Carrie stated that she wished she had much more storage space and that when asking an artist how much storage they need, to double it. Space for large garbage cans was also a thing Carrie wished she had considered because constantly emptying her small garbage cans is some what of a burden. The last two things she thought would make a great addition were a bathroom and an office area to provide separation between her residence and her studio. I will defiantly take into account all the things she wished she had included and be sure to apply them to my artist's studio space. Seeing her studio made me want to build one for myself, so I am looking forward to the opportunity of designing one.