SLAM UPDATE!

In case you didn’t know, SLAM is the Saint Louis Art Museum located at the top of Art Hill right behind the statue of  Saint Louis himself.

It’s been there since 1904 and it was one of the few permanent buildings built for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition also known as the Saint Louis World’s Fair. And it was built to display the art of the world. On my way to the Zoo on Tuesday (which is right down the block) I stopped to check the progress of the expansion program. I’m happy to report that a lot of the construction fencing is down, the new addition building is complete from the outside, the workmen were working on the paving in front of the new building and they grading the area prior to starting the landscaping.

I believe the circular forms are where the three rows of trees in front of the building will be planted. Between now and the opening of the new extension next year they will be testing and air, humidity, heating and lighting in the building. Only when they all check out will they begin moving and installing the art in the new galleries. The new building (gray) will access the 1904 building on the east and south sides as shown in the model.

So this time next year I should be posting about my first visit to the new building.