THE GENESIS OF THE MUSEUM OF ENCAUSTIC ART (MoEA) AND THE VIRTUAL MUSEUM (VMoEA):
While having a long-term plan in mind, Mehrens and his wife, Adrienne, agreed to utilize his existing studio space in Cerrillos, New Mexico, as the starting place for the Institute. Knowing that once the non-profit had found the ideal space in Santa Fe, the non-profit would move to a permanent art space that could handle the Institute, its members, and a museum.
THE MUSEUM OF ENCAUSTIC ART (MoEA):
EAI was proud and excited about opening the first encaustic art museum in America – the Museum of Encaustic Art (MoEA), in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Museum opened its doors in 2017. Unfortunately, due to mandated closures of the Museum and Institute for nearly two years related to the COVID virus, the non-profit could not maintain its rent in Santa Fe and stay financially viable. As a result, the Museum moved back to its original home, as mentioned above.
The Museum’s 2500 square ft. space is configured to display up to 50 works of art juried through exhibitions in addition to 110 pieces rotating from the Museum’s permanent collection of over 450 works of art.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Museum of Encaustic Art aims to grow America’s largest, most extensive, and best represented encaustic art collection. The collection includes several categories of encaustic art, such as encaustic painting, encaustic with paper and photography, encaustic with mixed media, encaustic sculpture, encaustic monotypes, and cold wax. We intend to draw attention of this medium to the public at large through enticing exhibits, tours/hands-on demonstrations, and collaboratively working with other community organizations.
VIRTUAL MUSEUM (VMoEA):
The Virtual Museum (VMoEA) allows every painting to be seen and accommodates that growth. Additionally, the virtual venue provides an avenue to experience the artwork in a close-up and personal way from anywhere around the globe. Unlike virtual tours from a brick-and-mortar existing museum, this museum building is also a virtual model. The master plan and design are by Douglas Mehrens. Every piece of work is digitized, organized, and strategically showcased.
Exterior of Virtual Museum model
VIRTUAL MUSEUM GOALS:
- Our main goal is to serve the artists and the works we collect, allowing them into the public sphere on a grand scale. The Virtual Museum allows the full 100% display of collected work.
- Curated Museum exhibitions designated
- Individual Museum artists’ shows
- Retail Gallery: Showcases the Encaustic Art Institute’s member’s work
- Education Center: Zoom workshops and presentations about the seven main categories of encaustic/wax art.
We are very proud of the Museum’s collection. The artwork represents artists from all over the world. As travel opens up, we expect many more people will be able to visit the Museum in New Mexico. With the Virtual Museum, we hope to provide a creative and entertaining way to see the Museum virtually – opening it up to many more who will never travel here.
Your donation will bring this dream to reality and will continue to fuel the education and appreciation of encaustic/wax.
DONATE:
Thank you in advance for your donation in any amount,
Douglas & Adrienne Mehrens
Interior of Virtual Museum model, showing one of the many exhibit spaces that exist on four different levels.
Sample of artwork in this viewing is not to scale.
