Rear view of Cornell University’s I.M. Pei-designed Johnson Museum of Art, with its new, mostly underground addition (still in construction), at left
Photo by Lee Rosenbaum
When I told you yesterday about the new addition to Cornell University’s Johnson Museum of Art (designed by the I.M. Pei firm and opening Oct. 15), I didn’t mention that it’s been without a permanent director since June, when long-time director Franklin Robinson retired.
This just in: Stephanie Wiles, director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College since July 2004, will become the Ithaca, NY museum’s new director in mid-November, pending approval by Cornell’s board in October.
Wiles smiles at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College
Janine Bentivegna Photoraphy
The Allen Memorial is notable for its art-rental program for students. Cost: $5 per semester per work (maximum of two). I wonder if Stephanie will bring the rental program to Cornell. I also wonder if the condition of the art is sufficiently safeguarded by this warning:
PLEASE take care of your art rental; the minimum repair fee for a damaged art rental is $35.00.
Presumably, works for rent do not include the Rembrandt etchings.
As a Cornell alumna, I once took a week-long Adult University summer course taught at the Johnson by Nancy Green, curator of prints, drawings, and photographs, where we got to closely examine some of the Dürers and Rembrandts (among many others) in the museum’s impressive print collection. A specialist in Old Master drawings and prints and British and American art, Wiles previously worked as a curator in the Morgan Library’s department of prints and drawings.
Unfortunately, the Johnson is still in directorial limbo for the installation of art in the new expansion, which will have a gallery area for contemporary installations and lots of space for open storage for works from in its 34,000-object collection. Until Wiles arrives, Peter Gould is interim director.