Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO -- So far, very good! Brigham Young University's Museum of Art has opened its doors to more than 140,000 visitors since mid-November for its Carl Bloch exhibit.
Curators are anticipating record-breaking numbers when it closes the first week in May. Despite being pleased with such interest, that has them concerned about the crowds.
In particular, what they're worried about is the last-minute rush to see the of 19th Century artist Carl Bloch's paintings. Museum managers say they have experienced this before and they do not want to have to turn people away.
The exhibit closes May 7, and because the paintings feature Jesus Christ and because Easter comes late in April, curators are anticipating a last-minute push.
Because the paintings have traveled from different Lutheran churches in Denmark and Sweden, curators want to remind those who are curious that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them.
But, you need to make reservations.
"We encourage people who want to see this exhibit before it closes to make their free reservations online as quickly as possible," said Herman Dutoir, Head of Research at the Museum of Art. "We do expect to have a rush towards the end, as we've had with other blockbuster exhibitions, and we don't want to inconvenience people arriving late in the season."
The exhibit closes May 7, and because the paintings feature Jesus Christ and because Easter comes late in April, curators are anticipating a last-minute push.
As a visitor you can sit and ponder the paintings, or you can take an iPad tour. But if you want to do that, there is timing involved with the equipment as well.
For a $3 rental fee, you can listen to the history of a particular painting and see a 360-degree panorama of the interior of the church where it normally hangs above the altar.
If you want one of these, organizers suggest coming during the weekdays or early afternoons when the crowds are smaller.
Braden Burgon, the museum's business manager, said, "Demand has been so positive, we've actually put in more orders for additional iPads just to make sure we're well-stocked for the increased demands."
Curators insist the exhibit is not about the numbers but about the people.
Jack Zufelt, who has family in Utah, traveled from Denver, Colo., to see the paintings. "Everybody knows some of the pictures, paintings, but there are some here that just brought tears to my eyes," he said. "When I saw what our Savior did for us and in a way that only a great artist like that can create... You ought to come and see it. There's a spirit here that if I had time, I'd come back and spend several hours. You can't get it all the first time, I'm pretty sure, but oh, don't wait, get over here.... See it, it's worth it."
The Carl Bloch paintings will remain on exhibit through May 7 at BYU's Museum of Art, Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The tour is free, but you need to make reservations on the museum's website.
CLICK HERE to visit the exhibit website.
CLICK HERE to make a reservation.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
