All this month, the National Gallery of Art announced on Sept. 5, “NGA Corcoran offers free admission and tours, Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the month of September, several exciting exhibitions and special installations are on view at NGA Corcoran before it closes for renovation in October.”
As a result, the NGA says in a press release, “Free Admission at NGA Corcoran has quadrupled attendance.” And to add to the good feelings it is trying to create, the NGA said, “Admission will remain free of charge when NGA Corcoran reopens in fall 2015, following renovations.” Who can oppose free admission? Although it does in some ways devalue the museum and the art, free admission is generally a good thing.
Meanwhile, across town, those who have opposed the deal breaking up the Corcoran and handing the art to the NGA and the school to George Washington University, are planning a wake. They’ve sent Save the Date notices about their “Public Memorial Service for the Corcoran Gallery of Art” set for Saturday, Sept. 27. It will take place at 500 17th Street, NW Washington, D.C.  In other words, it will take place at the Corcoran itself. Then:Â
The service will be followed by a symbolic burial ceremony and a wake at locations to be announced.
Guests are encouraged to wear black or dress in period clothing of the Victorian era as a tribute to William Wilson Corcoran: black arm bands, men in mourning coats, women in dark veils with black umbrellas.
Among the organizers are  Linda Crocker Simmons, curator emerita of the Corcoran, Elizabeth Punsalan, an art advisor who once worked for the Smithsonian in marketing and with collectors and is the former director of corporate relations and special events at the Corcoran,  and Carolyn Campbell, a former PR and Events Director of the Corcoran.Â
We will watch to see if there is a showdown on the day. Corcoran management has often muffled situations; let’s see how they react to this one.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the NGA