MEMPHIS, TENN.- The Metal Museum officially opens its doors to a new home in Overton Park on September 5, 2026, marking the most significant transformation in the institution's 47-year history. The Metal Museum is an international leader in the celebration, recognition and promotion of field of fine metalwork – achieved through exhibitions, collections, working studios and educational opportunities for learners of all ages and skill levels.

The Metal Museum’s move from its longtime riverfront bluff location to the former Memphis College of Art building in Overton Park creates a museum nearly three times larger than its previous home and advances the Museum’s role as a leader in the field of metal arts. Originally designed by Memphis architects William Mann and Roy Harrover in 1956, this mid-century modern building has been recognized nationally for its innovative design and architectural significance.

Led by Kulapat Yantrasast, Creative Director of wHY Architecture, based in Los Angeles, and LRK, located in Memphis, TN, serving as architect of record, the project reimagines the mid-century modern structure as a contemporary home for exhibitions, collections, education, and artist development while honoring the building's architectural legacy. The project also features a cutting-edge new building, the Windgate Metal Studios, a purpose-built facility for casting, forging, and fabrication. The expanded studios support artist residencies, paid apprenticeships, internships, public classes, demonstrations, and commissioned projects while creating new pathways into careers in the metal arts and skilled trades.

The new location significantly increases the Museum's capacity to serve artists, students, and visitors while strengthening Memphis' role as a destination for metal arts. The Museum's current bluff location will transition into a dedicated artist residency, allowing both locations to support different aspects of the organization's work.

"Our philosophy at wHY is 'acupuncture architecture.' We don't do facelifts or make changes just for the look of it," said Kulapat Yantrasast, Founder and Creative Director of wHY Architecture. "We focus on the building's overall health and rejuvenation to enhance the structure as a whole. In a way, this new building is a sibling to the Museum's original location, a new building and a new life with an old soul."





Located within Overton Park, one of Memphis' most visited public spaces, the Museum will become an accessible cultural destination for more than two million annual park visitors. Easily reached by foot, bicycle, public transit, and car, the new location places the Museum at the center of one of the city's most vibrant cultural districts.

The larger galleries will allow the Museum to present more ambitious exhibitions while sharing more of its permanent collection. Opening exhibitions will introduce visitors to the breadth of the collection through works spanning the Museum's history, while new acquisitions, including a landmark gift of more than 40 works from collectors John and Robyn Horn, continue to strengthen the collection for future generations.

"This is much more than a new building," said Carissa Hussong, Executive Director of the Metal Museum. "It represents nearly five decades of growth and a bold investment in the future of artists, education, and our community. Through the thoughtful renovation and adaptive reuse of this historic Memphis building, we are preserving its history while creating a place where artists, students, and visitors can gather, create, and engage with metal arts in ways that simply were not possible before."

Outside, visitors will encounter a year-round free Sculpture Walk featuring monumental works by internationally recognized artists. Few public spaces in Memphis offer outdoor artwork of this scale and significance, creating an accessible cultural experience that extends beyond the Museum's galleries.

At the heart of the new location is the Windgate Metal Studios, a purpose-built facility for blacksmithing, casting, fabrication, and welding. The expanded studios support artist residencies, paid apprenticeships, internships, public classes, demonstrations, and commissioned projects while creating new pathways into careers in the metal arts and skilled trades.

Education programming will also grow significantly in the new facility. With eight times more dedicated educational space, the Museum will provide hands-on learning for thousands of young people each year. Annual programming will serve approximately 20,000 public school students through guided tours and demonstrations, 5,000 youth through camps and family programs, and hundreds more through career exploration and paid internship opportunities. New programs launching in 2027 include a welding summer camp, a blacksmithing conference, STEAM initiatives for youth, and classroom-ready educational resources for teachers.

The project is supported through the Museum's $35 million capital and endowment campaign, an investment that positions the institution for long-term sustainability while strengthening Memphis' cultural landscape. Beyond creating a larger museum, the expansion establishes a destination where artists, educators, students, and visitors can gather to explore the history, innovation, and future of metalworking.
The Metal Museum will officially welcome the public to its Overton Park location on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

About WHY Architecture: Founded by architect Kulapat Yantrasast, WHY is an interdisciplinary architecture and design practice dedicated to creating meaningful connections between people, culture, and place. The firm specializes in museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces, with a portfolio of projects that reimagine how communities experience art and architecture.

About the Metal Museum: The Metal Museum is the only institution in the world devoted exclusively to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork. This mission is achieved through four primary program areas: exhibitions, collections, the Metal Studios, and community education and engagement. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday - Sunday, from 11AM - 5PM. Learn more about the Museum and its programs by visiting Metalmuseum.org.