The Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition (RFLX) at the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester (MAG) will be cancelled for 2017 to accommodate the expansion and renovation of the museum’s Grand Gallery. The renovations are made possible by the recently announced $3.5 million commitment from a generous private donor. The RFLX will return to MAG as scheduled in the summer of 2019.
The RFLX is a well-regarded regional juried showcase. Since opening in 1913, MAG has hosted 65 RFLXs featuring the work of artists from western and central New York State. Originally an annual exhibition, in 1997 RFLX became a biennial. For the 2015 installment, participating artists were eligible for nine cash awards, among them the $1,500 Memorial Art Gallery Award, selected by the juror; the Alice Koret Award, presented by museum docents; and the Harris Popular Vote Award, selected by visitors during the first two weeks of the exhibition.
“The opportunity to expand and enhance the Grand Gallery, our most important special exhibition space, is a project we could not delay,” said MAG’s Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director, Jonathan Binstock. “An improved Grand Gallery means the next RFLX will be the best showcase yet for our region’s artists.”
The recently announced $3.5 million commitment is the largest single contribution to the museum in its 103-year history. Funds from the gift will be used to increase the size of the Grand Gallery, which will be renamed the Docent Gallery at the donor’s request. Broad-scale renovations will also accompany the larger Docent Gallery and provide enhancements to the overall visitor experience. State-of-the-art technology upgrades including faster internet connectivity will enable the museum to pair traditional art with advanced educational tools, display media art, as well as provide more interactive opportunities. Additional enhancements will include movable and energy-efficient lighting, new walls, and a refinished floor.
The Memorial Art Gallery’s endowment, which supports exhibitions, will also benefit from this generous gift.