NEW LONDON, CT.- The Lyman Allyn Art Museum is gearing up to reopen and welcome visitors back on Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 am. This preliminary plan is designed to be consistent with the Connecticut State guidelines for the second phase of the reopening strategy. To celebrate the return of visitors and to share its love of the arts with the community, the Lyman Allyn will be open for free to all guests all summer long, through Labor Day.

“We have been looking forward to throwing open our doors and greeting visitors once again with great anticipation,” said Sam Quigley, Director. “We have been working diligently and following state guidelines in making changes throughout the Museum to ensure that visitors feel safe when they visit.” Closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March, the staff of the museum has been preparing the galleries and general gathering areas with new social distancing procedures and safety measures.

“Given the lengthy quarantine, it was necessary to reconsider our summer exhibitions and programs,” said Quigley. Lyman Allyn's annual Summer Fest event scheduled for June 20 had to be cancelled due to health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. The safety of Summer Fest participants, performers, vendors, volunteers, and staff has been and will remain the Lyman Allyn’s primary concern. “We know Summer Fest has become a special annual tradition for many, and we hope visitors will mark their calendar for June 19, 2021, when we will celebrate this family-friendly event once again.”

In addition to its noteworthy permanent collections, the Lyman Allyn is planning to open a new exhibition of giant sweets for the summer. Peter Anton’s Sweet Dreams: Confectionary Sculpture originally scheduled to open on June 6, is now scheduled to open on July 18. It promises to be a fun summer treat for the whole family. Anton’s oversized sculptures of giant chocolates, melting ice cream confections, and other goodies reveal how the Connecticut-based artist uses his sculptures as a way to make people smile and to offer an escape from the regular pressures of daily life.

Stories of Resilience: Encountering Racism, an exhibition that is once again all too topical, will be extended to remain on view until Sunday August 2. Developed in partnership with Jerry Fischer and Todd Gipstein from the Jewish Federation of Eastern CT’s Encountering Differences Program, this exhibition highlights the lives of five exceptional residents of New London County, past and present, and has much to teach us in light of recent events.

The Lyman Allyn’s Education Department is also planning to proceed with Summer Art Immersion, the first session scheduled to begin on July 6. The final decision is dependent upon State guidelines, which the Museum staff is closely monitoring. Museum staff have worked together to develop new protocols to ensure the health and safety of participants, families, and staff. Please click here to read the Lyman Allyn’s Summer Art Immersion safety and procedures plan.