Chapman University’s Hilbert Museum of California Art will be hosting its grand opening on Feb. 23 after over two years of construction. After announcing in 2022 that the museum would be undergoing renovations, they have since expanded their location at 167 N. Atchison Street in the city of Orange, making space for more art, exhibitions and newly added sculptures, with a total of 26 galleries. 

Hilbert Museum Director Mary Platt explained how she is anticipating opening day as the process has been “hectic and busy,” especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where majority of the meetings were held through Zoom. 

“For the grand opening, we are going to have nine exhibitions,” Platt told The Panther. “The main building is mainly going to be for rotating exhibitions, and the other building, the north building, will mostly showcase the permanent collections. But, we have so many pieces (in)the collection that we will be rotating that one too.”

The new museum will be located right across from the Orange Metrolink Station and will include a cafe and an outdoor courtyard. Planted right in the middle of the courtyard is a California olive tree. Eventually, the courtyard will have seating for students and staff to enjoy as well, though a date has not been set.

Since its opening in 2016, the Hilbert Museum has displayed “one of the largest collections of California art,” according to the museum’s website. That year, it was just the main building. Now, the newly renovated museum includes the main building, as well as a new north building. By working with Chapman’s College of Performing Arts, the museum created a deal that would allow them to utilize the old dance center, which will now serve as the new north building. The new changes also include a unique mosaic that was previously on display outside of a building in Santa Monica.

The founders of the museum, Mark and Janet Hilbert, have been collecting art and sculptures since 1992 when they moved to Palm Springs. Since then, the Hilberts have collected more than 5,000 pieces of art, with a majority of them being California art pieces.

The museum hosted a private dinner for the Hilbert family and their friends on Feb. 17, and a private grand reopening will take place at the museum grounds on Feb. 22.

“All during the pandemic, when everything was shut down, I was coming in here, to my office, and we were having Zoom meetings to pick an architect and work with them to decide on a plan with the construction,” Platt said. 

Exhibitions like the radio wall and historic Disney art are displayed in the newly added north building. Platt emphasized the importance of adding a local touch to the museum by including local Orange County artists and history. 

“We’re really excited to see how much we can add to the campus,” Platt told The Panther. 

The Hilbert Museum will be open to the public starting Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission to the museum is free, though reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made through the museum’s website. 

 The general public will be able to access the museum starting Feb. 23.