The Tamesis
The Studio Museum in Harlem will remain closed until February 7 for repairs related to a “sprinkler emergency” that forced an evacuation on Friday.
As first reported allergy, Visitors were directed to leave after water began pouring from the ceiling near the gift shop.
“We saw a large puddle of water on the floor near the entrance and water flowing into the store,” an eyewitness told the publication. The museum initially announced it would be closed for the weekend; however, the situation with the sprinklers apparently required more extensive maintenance.
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A spokesperson for the Studio Museum said the sprinklers were damaged during preparations for the weekend storm, which ended up dumping a record-breaking 11 inches of snow on Manhattan and sending temperatures plunging into the teens. “No artworks or galleries were affected,” the spokesman said. Video posted by a visitor showed water flowing onto shelves in the gift shop that had been cleared. The closure comes at an inauspicious moment for the museum, which only reopened in November in a high-profile new facility designed by David Adjaye’s Adjaye Associates.
“All programs and events are cancelled,” the Studio Museum announced today, adding that ticket holders will receive refunds for planned visits between Wednesday, January 28 and Friday, February 6.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to having you back at the museum,” the statement concluded.
