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OLD LYME — The Lyme Art Association is kicking off phase two of a capital campaign to fund restoration work on its Lyme St. gallery. The original structure, designed by noted architect Charles A. Platt, was completed in 100 years ago — the same year as Platt’s commission for the Freer Gallery of Art on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
Each year, the association hosts seven annual exhibitions of work by representational artists in the region, and is free and open to the public.
“We’re calling this our ‘Second Century Capital Program,’ to continue Lyme Art into its second century,” explained Association Executive Director Laurie Pavlos.
Phase two includes replacing skylights, original to the building, as well as the laylights — translucent panels framed in the ceiling of the gallery. The addition of roof and attic insulation will also help decrease heat and cooling loss.
“This phase will include replacing our antiquated single-pane skylight system, which, though repaired many times, is leaking,” said Pavlos. “The new laylights will be double-walled, insulating translucent panels, which will keep us from having quite so much solar gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.”
The anticipated cost of the phase-two restoration work is $390,000, which Pavlos said must be raised before work can begin.
The restoration is the second of four phases totaling $1.3 million. Phase one, completed in 2018, included re-shingling and replacing rotted trim and windows, at a cost of $390,000.
Phase three will bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and phase four will upgrade the mechanical systems.
Pavlos said the association was awarded a grant from the State Historic Preservation Office for planning the project. She said Lyme Art will apply for another grant from SHPO to complete plans needed to bid out the project, and an additional grant for construction funding.
“We’re putting a conscious effort to make sure this beautiful building exists for the next 100 years.”
To donate to phase two of the Second Century Capital Program, click here.
Lyme Art Association is located at 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, Conn. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
“Ship to Shore: A Marine Show,” The Hudson Valley Art Association 88th Annual National Juried Exhibition and a solo show of Zufar Bikbov are on view through July 22.