The annual M&T Bank Clothesline Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery brought enthusiastic, if somewhat diminished crowds this weekend due to the wet weather.
More than 400 arts and crafts people were part of the juried show, and museum director Jonathan Binstock says the smaller crowds do impact the weekend revenue. It’s the MAG’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
But he says the museum has plenty to offer to the community over the next year to attract more patrons and members.
That includes Hidden Passions a series scheduled this month which began last year about inspiring conversations, and in October, Art for the People: Carl Peters and the Rochester WPA Murals.
Binstock is also marking his first year as director. Speaking with WXXI over the weekend, he said staff has been busy moving things around inside the Memorial Art Gallery.
"We're paying extra special attention to our modern and contemporary art collection: Art Since 1945, so, we've reinstalled those galleries in the downstairs of the museum. It's a very different experience for our visitors - a very exciting one."
Binstock says he doesn't believe there are rules for how long collection displays need to stay before they can be moved.
What artwork is appropriate for the Memorial Art Gallery? Binstock offered some insights.
"We're looking for artworks that can help us to either develop narratives that already exist within the collection, or to help us tease out new narratives that are latent within the collection."
Binstock says all of the museum's contemporary art can fit seamlessly with its historical art. Sometimes they hang new art next to old works just to quote "see what happens."
Late last week, the state Council on the Arts awarded the MAG more than $12,000 dollars restore some of the European textiles in its connection. The MAG also received a grant to expand its elementary school education programs.
