LSU Museum of Art Celebrates Major Art Storage Upgrade
On March 19, 2025, the LSU Museum of Art proudly marked a milestone in its ongoing commitment to collections care with the unveiling of a major upgrade to its art storage facility. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of a transformative project that significantly enhances the museum’s ability to preserve, protect, and manage its growing permanent collection.
Thanks to the generous support of Winifred and Kevin P. Reilly, and the expertise of Space Savor Storage Systems, the museum’s 4,000-square-foot storage area has been reimagined into a state-of-the-art space built to meet the highest standards of conservation. In just one month, from fabrication to installation, the project increased storage capacity by nearly one-third—maximizing space while improving long-term care for the collection.
Key improvements include:
High-density mobile shelving
Rolling cabinets and 2-D painting racks for works on paper and canvas
Archival-grade furnishings
Vertical racks with state-of-the-art locking mechanisms for added security
Alongside physical upgrades, the museum also introduced a new cloud-based collections management system to streamline internal processes and improve access. In the near future, this system will offer the public digital access to selected records—strengthening transparency and engagement with the collection.
Staff, board members, and Visionary Circle supporters gathered for the ribbon cutting, celebrating not only the completion of the project but also the foresight, dedication, and planning that made it possible. These improvements also contributed to the museum's recent reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, further affirming its commitment to best practices in collections stewardship.
The Cary Saurage Object Lab: A New Era of Academic Engagement
In addition to the art storage upgrade, the museum also celebrated the completion of its new Cary Saurage Object Lab. Thanks to a generous gift from Cary Saurage, this innovative gallery and smart classroom—located adjacent to the collection’s storage—provides a unique opportunity for in-depth study of artworks from the museum’s permanent collection that are not currently on display.
The Cary Saurage Object Lab is designed to enhance academic engagement with the museum’s diverse and exceptional holdings, including prints, drawings, photographs, ceramics, and small decorative art objects—collections that are particularly well-suited for teaching and research. With the support of curatorial staff and the museum’s new collections management software, faculty members will have the ability to select up to 20 artworks related to their course topics for close study by their students. This digital catalog will further expand opportunities for faculty and students to engage with the collection in new and meaningful ways.
Fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology—including a large-screen monitor, computer, and lectern, all connected to LSU’s high-speed fiber network—the Cary Saurage Object Lab seats up to 20 students and is set to become a vital resource for academic inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration.
While Cary Saurage was unable to attend the March 19 ceremony, his generous contribution was warmly acknowledged by all in attendance. The Cary Saurage Object Lab represents an exciting step forward in the museum’s mission to connect art and education, both on campus and beyond.
With these upgrades, the LSU Museum of Art continues to protect the artistic and cultural treasures of our region and beyond—ensuring they remain accessible and preserved for generations to come.
Photography by Charles Champagne.