EUGENE, OREGON.- The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon will reopen to the public on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005. The museum has been closed since September 2000 for a major renovation and expansion project.

"Wildish Building Company and hundreds of craftsman have skillfully and respectfully transformed a 70-year old building into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The staff now begins the detailed process of safely installing the collection, gallery exhibitions and program spaces to create a new museum," said David Turner, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art director.

"We look forward to opening our museum as soon as possible and to providing visitors with new and outstanding gallery installations and public programming," said Susie Papé, president of the museum's board of directors. "We invite everyone to join us for our spectacular opening on January 23, 2005."

The new building will enable the museum to showcase more of its highly regarded art collection, while allowing for the presentation of unique programs that make the arts more accessible to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to presenting new collections galleries, the art museum will open with an Andy Warhol exhibition as the inaugural installation of its Changing Exhibitions Gallery.

The art museum's new facility has been created through a $14.2 million transformation of the 70-year old building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The State of Oregon awarded $6.36 million in state-serviced bonds to the construction project. These funds were matched, beyond the requirement, through a combination of grants, estate gifts and contributions from more than 750 individual donors.

The single largest private gift came from Portland philanthropist and cultural leader Jordan D. Schnitzer. In recognition of his generosity, the new building will be officially recognized as the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon.