Huntsville, Ala – Beginning Wednesday, October 1, visitors to the Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) will enjoy more time in the galleries as the museum extends its public hours. The new hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. While the Museum will remain closed to the public on Mondays, administrative offices will continue to be open.

“This expansion reflects the positive growth and success of the Huntsville Museum of Art under Executive Director Christopher J. Madkour’s leadership,” John Wynn, chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors, said. “Museum staff, the Board, the Foundation Board, Women’s Guild and many volunteers have worked tirelessly to also contribute to this growth and are to be commended.”

Madkour stated, “We are pleased to celebrate the museum’s prosperity with the public through longer hours throughout the week and weekend, and we hope the community and visitors from out of the area will take advantage of the additional hours.”

Part of the decision to increase the museum’s hours came as a result of the coming fiscal year’s prestigious schedule of exhibitions. The museum will kick off its year with glass and metal sculptures by internationally-acclaimed Seattle-based artist Ginny Ruffner. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, not only are Ruffner’s works in more than 40 private and public collections worldwide, but her story is one of inspiration for people everywhere.

At the height of her career in late 1991, she was involved in a near-fatal car accident, which left her in a five-week coma. Miraculously, she not only surprised her doctors by walking and talking again, but she went on to create new works of art. A documentary titled “A Not So Still Life” premiered in June 2010 and not only tells the story of her courageous come-back, but of her life growing up in South Carolina.

The Huntsville Museum of Art has organized this exhibit, which will be on display October 4, 2014, through January 18, 2015.
Following on November 15, the museum will bring back the popular works of folk artist Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses. The last presentation of her works was nearly 12 years ago at HMA.

Grandma Moses: Visions of America is being organized by HMA and brings works from other institutions around the country and the Galerie St. Etienne in New York City. Another major highlight of the coming year will be the LAST STOP of the travelling exhibition Rembrandt, Rubens, Gainsborough and the Golden Age of Painting in Europe, set to open at the
Huntsville Museum of Art on February 15, 2015. This “blockbuster” show is coming from The Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, and will be on view through April 26.

The Museum’s general admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-11. Seniors, educators, students, and the military may pay a reduced rate of $8, and groups of 10 or more may pay $7 per person. Museum members and children under 6 are FREE. Admission is subject to change during major exhibitions.

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