When the Crocker Art Museum closed in June to complete the three-year expansion project, the anticipation began to build.

The Crocker Art Museum has been undergoing a $100 million expansion, and three weeks before opening to the public, the Crocker held a Gala Fundraiser allowing those attendees who paid the $1,000 admission to be the first to experience the new and improved Crocker on Saturday night.

“This is a huge evening for us. We have raised over $1 million, which is fabulous because it’s for operational funds for this museum,” said Bobbe Brown, the Gala Committee chair.

The fundraising gala was a black tie affair, and the entrance of the museum was dressed like a Grammy Awards ceremony with a red carpet and photographers documenting the event.

“This is the first breath of presentation,” Brown said. “We are presenting the museum for the first time ever.”

Guests filled the lobby for the cocktail reception and mingled on the patio for live music from the string quartet. More than 700 Crocker supporters attended and enjoyed the festivities of the night – fine dining, dancing and live music – all anticipating the opening of the museum after dessert.

“Crocker had one of the largest collections of California art, and they have never been able to have the facility to display it and hang it,” said Sandra Jones, who has supported the museum for more than 20 years. “A lot of the their art collection has been on tour in other museums in the U.S., but never been shown here in Sacramento. This new building will give them the opportunity to show their art collection.”

At the end of the night, the Crocker Art Museum allowed full access for all attendees to view the 125,000-square-foot expansion with multiple gallery exhibits featuring two new collections: African and Oceanic art, a section of pieces that are promised gifts – which the Crocker will receive in the future – and a large eye-catching street sculpture that has been restored and is now on display in the new Crocker.

“The opening of the new addition is incredible,” Jones said. “It’s fabulous and beautiful.”

To say the new Crocker is a contemporary upgrade from the old Crocker is an understatement. It is equipped with more space and a visually attractive layout that includes a café, auditorium and art conservation lab for viewing.

The Gala premiered the new Crocker in a lavish light with the décor and presentation of the museum. This expansion will highlight what Sacramento has to offer for the arts and will be a highly visited destination for locals and Sacramento visitors.

“I think Gwathmey Siegel, the architects, did a wonderful job of pairing a brand new contemporary building with original Crocker home,” Jones said. “I think it’s a wonderful marriage.”

The public opening of The Crocker Art Museum is on Oct. 10 (10.10.10). The museum will stay open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Admission to the new museum will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for youths 7-17 and free for children 6 and under and Crocker members.
 

Photos Courtesy of Crocker Art Museum