Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Celebrates Groundbreaking of the New O’Keeffe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–November 8, 2024–(Santa Fe, NM)–The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (GOKM) celebrated the groundbreaking of its new 54,000 square foot building on October 24 with a crowd of supporters, staff, and government officials. The groundbreaking marked the end of the demolition of the former building at 123 Grant Avenue and the beginning of lower-level work and the building phase of the New O’Keeffe, which expected to be completed in three years.
Museum Director Cody Hartley provided opening remarks, welcoming US Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, Field Representative for Senator Ben Ray Luján Carmela Quintana, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber, and Santa Fe City Councilwoman Sig Lindell, all of whom also provided remarks.
“We have celebrated many milestones in our institution’s history–including our most recent 25th anniversary, record-breaking auctions, incredible acquisitions and gifts–but none more visible and none more paramount than today,” Hartley said.
Congresswoman Leger Fernandez spoke about recent flooding in Roswell that threatened to affect an O’Keeffe painting at the Roswell Museum and Art Space. She applauded GOKM for extending an offer to assist with caring for the painting and said it was proof that art brings communities together in the bad times and the good times. The Congresswoman also highlighted the $750,000 matching challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which required GOKM and its partners to complete a Section 106 review to consider the potential effects on historic properties.
The Museum recognized its partners in the building project, including development management firm JenkinsGavin, DNCA architectural firm, construction company Bradbury Stamm, landscape architect Reed Hilderbrand, the Pueblo of Tesuque, the City of Santa Fe, and the NEH. Many of the partners are New Mexico-based, which, according to Hartley, is no accident.
“We are so honored and grateful to be part of this community. We have worked hard to ensure that this project has a positive impact here, in our home community,” Hartley said.
GOKM Board of Trustees Chairman and Campaign Co-Chairman David Warnock also spoke, recognizing that fundraising for the $75 million building is 86% complete, thanks to the generosity of 83 individuals and organizations. This support includes a $750,000 matching challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a grant from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative.
“The entire Board of Trustees and I are honored to be a part of this project–the largest, privately funded arts and culture investment in our state’s history. Today is truly just the beginning and we can’t wait to be back here in just a few short years to welcome you all to the New O’Keeffe,” Warnock said to close the program.
The New O’Keeffe will include 13,000 square feet of gallery space and 22,000 square feet below ground for collections storage and care. The Museum will be surrounded by nearly an acre of community green space on the 100 block of Grant Avenue in the historic downtown Santa Fe Plaza District.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Renee Lucero | Public Relations Manager, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum 505-946-1063
Image credits: Shayla Blatchford courtesy of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
ABOUT THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM: Since 1997, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the art, life, and independent spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived the final decades of her life, the O’Keeffe has sites and experiences in two historic destinations, Santa Fe and Abiquiú. For more information, please visit gokm.org
