Art museum declared a masterpiece {i-camera}

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University of Louisiana Art Museum, a work of art.

[NewsCopy]

University of Louisiana showpiece shines.

LOUISIANA La. — There have been lots of stories written about the glowing new University of Louisiana Art Museum, but there’s only one that matters, said Dwight Andrus, as he looked down from his second-story view of the museum’s grand gallery.

“The real story is, it’s fabulous,” Andrus said, fanning his hands out. “There is no other story.”

As co-chair of the museum’s fund-raising campaign, Andrus admittedly is biased. He is like a proud father, sharing pictures of his newborn. An $8.5 million newborn.

Construction is complete on the building that originally was set to open in December. Glitches in the humidity and temperature control systems prevented the museum from making its debut in time for the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial celebration with an exhibit of French masterpieces.

The museum opens to the public on April 21 for the exhibit, “Andrew Wyeth’s Helga: An Intimate Study” with more than 70 paintings, watercolors and drawings from the American artist. Wyeth’s realistic portrayals of the human form will be contrasted with the figurative art of local artist Francis Pavy.

The Wyeth exhibit already was slotted for the April date when the museum’s original opening was canceled.

Now, there’s no rush, Andrus said.

“It gives us more time to get everything completely right,” he said. “What’s more important is that we don’t want to do anything that would harm a painting.”

It will be worth the wait, Andrus assured.

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Marsha Sills
msills@theadvertiser.com