The Ulrich Museum of Art has been awarded a second major federal grant of $60,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts for Phase 3 of the conservation of the landmark mural and masterpiece by modern artist Joan Miro. The Ulrich was one of three Wichita arts organizations to receive an NEA grant in 2013. Funds from the grant will support the third phase of the five-year undertaking to conserve "Personnages Oiseaux" (Bird People), the 26-by-52-foot glass-and-marble mosaic.
The mosaic was created specifically for the Ulrich Museum and installed on its facade in 1978. It was deinstalled in September 2011 in preparation for treatment. Russell-Marti Conservation Services Inc. based in California, Mo., has been contracted by the Ulrich Museum to lead the Miro conservation effort, which is expected to take until fall 2016.
