Our construction project is progressing nicely. The newly-expanded west parking lot is being paved, sidewalks are taking shape, and the Worrell Wing is starting to rise above its very complex foundation. Academy Drive from Russell Road is still closed for its renovation, which includes raising it nine feet to eliminate flooding and more ease in accessing the museum. At some point before long, the Russell Road entrance will reopen, and east Academy Drive will close while work to the campus adjacent to the museum’s east side goes forward.
As always, we are open and busy. Summer Art Camp is all of June, and Medieval To Metal, from the National Guitar Museum, is here through mid-August. Everyone is welcome, so please visit often!
-Betsy K. White, Executive Director
On August 20, 2024 the William King Museum of Art broke ground on a major new wing to house the Worrell Collection of Wildlife Art. The collection is comprised of approximately 170 original wildlife paintings and sculptures and is one of the most significant of its kind in the US. It features works by world-renowned artists Rosa Bonheur, Robert Bateman, Carl Rungius, Bruno Liljefors, Wilhelm Kuhnert, Richard Frise, Alexander Koester, Ray Harris- Ching, Guy Coheleach, Manfred Schatz, Carl Akeley, and Bart Walter.
Collected by Gene and Anne Worrell over more than 25 years, the collection is being moved from its Charlottesville home to a dedicated, new wing at WKMA in Abingdon. The project includes a world-class gallery for the Worrell Collection, a welcome gallery dedicated to regional artwork, storage for the museum’s art collection, an accessible new entrance, a lobby, a café, and a sculpture garden.
The Worrell Museum board’s decision to move the collection here is pivotal in growing WKMA’s capacity to use art and nature together in arts and conservation education initiatives for all ages. The collection’s focus on wildlife complements the museum’s mission to cultivate environmental respect through artistic expression.
“My grandfather Gene’s family has been in Washington County for generations. His love of this place and being outdoors directly informed his eye as he passionately collected wildlife art later in his life. I’m particularly moved by how this art transports us to the wild places we cannot otherwise go. I hope the experience of visiting the museum wing will inspire more conservation awareness and advocacy and bring people from near and far to enjoy these treasures.” – Shannon Worrell
The design team of Schulhof Rashidi Architects and Wolf Josey Landscape Architects was selected in 2022 with the goal of transforming the museum’s 20-acre site into an arts campus and community park. Founded by Paul Schulhof and Azadeh Rashidi, Schulhof Rashidi Architects is a New York based architecture firm that specializes in cultural projects throughout the United States. Wolf Josey Landscape Architects are located in Charlottesville, VA and focus on public, academic and garden projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
“It has been an honor to design a new home for the Worrell Collection and contribute to the transformation of the William King Museum of Art into a regional arts campus.” – Azadeh Rashidi
The building’s materials celebrate the crafts of the region and the museum’s heritage collection. The façade of the building is made of brick, with portions glazed in colors reminiscent of regional pottery and bricklaying patterns inspired by quilt designs.
The design team’s vision for the WKMA campus will include sculpture placed in native plant and pollinator gardens. Visitors will have a truly immersive outdoor experience. The native planting palette references regionally specific plant communities, strengthening WKMA’s connection to its natural setting.
