Muckenthaler Renovation Opening - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Description

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, a 1924 national registry villa set on 8.5 acres of manicured lawns, harbors a secret. Unique architectural details have been hidden for more than thirty years behind false walls.  Arched French doors, elegantly crafted windows, and luminous glass will now be revealed to the public on Thursday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. during a special gallery opening reception.

The historical landmark house was built by descendants of four of the founding families of Orange and Los Angeles counties. The exquisite architecture of the living room and interior courtyard, obstructed by false walls since the late 1970s, will finally be restored back to the original design, allowing the space to be flooded in light once again. The Muckenthaler’s extensive two-year gallery renovation project has been supported by the City of Fullerton, ISM Community (a nonprofit arts organization), Opus Bank Foundation, and individual donations from Harold Muckenthaler, in memory of his late wife Shirley (our patrons who first gave the city the Muckenthaler in 1965 to be used as a cultural center).

The large glass skylight, uncovered and repaired with help from the City of Fullerton, now baths the main gallery in soft, natural light, while tinting helps prevent heat and light damage to artwork. Exhibitions and indoor events are illuminated by a donated track lighting system thanks to ISM Community. Recent contributions by the Opus Bank Foundation and Harold Muckenthaler have made it possible for a brand new picture rail molding to be installed for hanging art, preserving the historic walls.

Inserts have been built for archways, allowing the architectural gems to show while still exhibiting art. The inserts also allow for a historical exhibit to be shown on the back of archways that line the hallways. The former breakfast room featuring a Batchelder tile floor and built in oak sideboard will now be added to the gallery space. This has been closed to the public and used for storage for many years.

On Thursday, February 9th, visitors will see for the first time since the 1970s the beauty of the rooms while also viewing the exhibition, From Seam to Seam: Korean Pojagi Fabric Art. There will be a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. with the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce and a public opening will follow at 6:30 p.m.

For centuries, Korean women have stitched together excess scraps of fabric to form wrapping cloths called pojagi. This exhibit examines the tradition in the hands of Korean and Korean-Americans who have carried the practice into the 21st century, as well as the intersection of pojagi and the expanding language of American quilting in general.

Every January the center has closed to renovate areas of its extensive property thanks to help from the city who owns the property, community non-profit partners, grants, individuals, the Muckenthaler family and Corporate sponsors. Next year the theatre will be the target of renovations.
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation, The Muck, is located at 1201 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton, California, 92833. For more information about this or other events at the Muck, please visit www.TheMuck.org or call 714-738-3135.