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.