The Cazenovia Public Library has announced some developments in its museum galleries that will allow visitors to experience the library’s collection of artifacts, curios and natural history objects in an entirely new light.
Thanks to the efforts of library museum committee member and local craftsman Federico Meira, the main museum and Egyptian room now feature state-of-the-art LED strip lighting. The installation, completed this fall, creates a welcoming atmosphere and provides for optimal viewing of the objects on display.
The library is now home to 13 objects donated by legendary magazine editor Paige Rense Noland, as well as several items procured through the efforts of museum committee member Jonathon Holstein. Many of these new acquisitions have been integrated into existing museum exhibits and are now on public display.
WonderCabinet (wunderkammer) — the Museum’s newest permanent exhibition — opened to the public last May. The exhibit presents a brief history of “cabinets of curiosity” and features a large 19th-century cabinet displaying natural and man-made objects. While three of the cabinet’s nine drawers sat empty at the May 31 unveiling, the exhibit is now complete.
Each of the drawers contains an assemblage of carefully selected and arranged objects. The most recent installations include displays curated by visiting artists Amanda Bury and Rick Marchant. “Cazenovia Treasures” reflects Bury’s love of local history and collecting. Marchant’s “Door Knobs” is a celebration of detail and design; his second installation offers viewers a glimpse into the world of Tiffany glass.
To help promote the library’s museum offerings, commercial photographer Richard Walker spent two days staging and photographing the museum collection for use in various promotional and educational materials. Walker’s work has been featured by Chanel, Smithsonian Magazine, Fenimore Art Museum, Architectural Digest, The New York Times and other prominent institutions.
The museum is free and open to the public during normal library hours. For more information call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
