The Ellsworth Kelly building ‘Austin’ at the Blanton Museum of Art will close for nearly two months, in order to remove mold growing on the structure’s exterior.
“For the first time since Ellsworth Kelly’s beloved building opened in 2018, it will be closing for some necessary conservation work,” the museum wrote on social media.
“Visible mold in the form of black streaks has developed on the limestone exterior of Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin,” the Blanton posted on its website.
The structure — the only building Kelly designed — is clad with limestone from Spain.
The museum statement goes on to explain that though common occurrence on limestone buildings on the UT campus, they will need to clean the surface of the “biological growth” and apply a water-resistant coating in order prevent it from happening again.
The chapel-like building will close Sept. 7 and re-open Nov. 1, though dates are subject to change.
In 2015, the artist gave the museum the design concept for the 2,715-square-foot stone building. ‘Austin’ opened in 2018.
