Museum Elevates and Expands Programming
St. Augustine, FLA, August 6, 2020 - The Lightner
Museum is thrilled to announce that David Bagnall will join the museum as the
new Executive Director on September 8, 2020. The Board retained Sterling Search
& Consulting, a Jacksonville-based firm specializing in nonprofits, to
conduct this successful national search. The effort was led by Managing Partner
Betsy Jacobs.
Bagnall offers substantial leadership experience at premier
institutions, most recently as Director of Preservation and Interpretation for
the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust in Chicago. His fresh perspective will help the
museum expand its current efforts to engage the public in new and innovative
ways. He also has an extensive background in formal grant writing and success
in developing cultural and philanthropic partnerships.
Previously, Bagnall served as Executive Director of the
Driehaus Museum in Chicago, located in the restored Nickerson Mansion. There,
he was instrumental in the restoration of this vibrant masterpiece of the
Gilded Age, and developed a cohesive master plan to shape the museum’s future,
defining its mission and brand identity while preparing the permanent
collection for exhibition. He also handled the Public Art Collection of the
City for Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
Bagnall holds a Master of Arts degree from the Courtauld
Institute of Art, University of London.
“We are beyond enthusiastic about David’s addition to the
team, which was backed unanimously by the Board,” said Board Chair Teresa
Radzinski. “His comprehensive curatorial, architectural, operating and
fundraising experience will help us continue to present the Lightner’s
collection in a way that re-engages our community with programs that will
highlight its broad appeal. He is the right person at the right time to take us
to the next level.”
Bagnall’s role will include a focus on grant funding for
larger programming opportunities and an emphasis on public engagement in the
age of COVID, creating a variety of experiences, both virtually and in-person.
With 80,000 square feet available for comfortable social distancing, the museum
offers a safe, indoor space to take in the beauty of St. Augustine’s historic
art scene. The museum’s programming boasts many new additions this fall,
namely:
- Illuminate:
Lightner Museum's Stained-Glass Rediscovered features thirteen pieces of
the Lightner's newly restored stained-glass collection, including works
from Tiffany. The exhibit will open to the public on September 10. The
museum worked with RLA Conservation on the restoration with custom light
boxes built by Building 4 Fabrication.
- The
Music Room Mural Competition announced Joshua Cooper, a realist painter
living in Jacksonville as the artist who will create the new mural for the
back wall of the newly restored music room on the first floor of the
museum. The news followed an open call to invite artists to submit a mural
concept and design that reflected the history of the museum, the Gilded
Age, or the history of music. A mural unveiling event will take place in
the fall.
- Virtual
Gilded Age opening in early Fall 2020 will allow guests the opportunity to
design their own Gilded Age mansion using some of the most popular pieces
of the Lightner Museum's collection in a new, immersive, digital gallery
created by Integrated Visions.
“The Lightner Museum is an architectural masterpiece with a
compelling story to tell, and I am thrilled to be joining the organization,”
said Bagnall. “I look forward to building connections in the historic community
of St. Augustine, and to creating programming that inspires locals and visitors
alike.” Bagnall will be joined by his wife and daughter as he takes the reigns
in his new role.
About the Lightner Museum: For the past 25 years, Lightner
Museum has taken on multiple projects and highly acclaimed exhibits such as the
Downton Abbey exhibition, Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times
and Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist. Located in the former Alcazar Hotel
in St. Augustine, Florida and home to one of the finest collections of 19th
century art in the country, the three floors of the museum are unique and
represent different genres of artwork. The museum offers a speaker series,
curator tours, learning labs, and after-hours events. The Lightner is open
seven days a week, 363 days a year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 75 King Street, St.
Augustine, Florida 32084. For General Museum & Donations, email
info@lightnermuseum.org or call 904-824-2874.
Media Contact:
EVA NAGORSKI
Lightner Museum
Phone: +1 917.502.9601
LAUREN EASTMAN
Issima Communications
Phone: 415-867-7664
Lightner Museum
75 King Street
Saint Augustine, FL
Phone: 904.824.2874
Email: info@lightnermuseum.org
Website: https://lightnermuseum.org/
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