Dr. Eleanor Lewis Harvey

"Eleanor Harvey, the Smithsonian's chief curator, said she knew the Western spirit of 'never say die' would prevail," she added.

Eleanor Harvey, chief curator of the American Art Museum, says the exhibits are planned "with a family of four from Idaho in mind."...

The windows will let controlled natural light into the galleries, eliminating a tomblike feel, said Eleanor Harvey, chief curator for the American Art Museum.

"So now the public can enjoy works in daylight that were painted in daylight," Harvey said."It is like a freshly refurbished old friendship."

Harvey said officials have had to be a lot more creative with displays - for instance, converting offices into galleries to create more room for art.
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While they were closed, the museums sent many of their exhibits on tour, and now they're finally "coming home," Harvey said.
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But there is a downside to the renovations, Harvey said.After being closed for six years, the museums now have to re-establish their identities with the public.

"When we closed, there was a general feeling of shock and dismay," Harvey said.

DMA Lecture - Lights, Cameras, Sightlines: How to Install a Gallery, Dr. Eleanor Harvey, Curator of American Art, DMA.For more information, call (214) 922-1200 or visit http://www.dallasmuseumofart.org./

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Casual Classics – Beethoven; 7 p.m., at The Meyerson.

Jun 20 JCC Solo Talent Competition Auditions – All entrants must register by June 15.

"As pleased as I am about the art," said Eleanor Lewis Harvey, chief curator for the American Art Museum, standing near the museum's F Street entrance while trumpeters serenaded arriving guests and a few sweaty, sidewalk-bound gawkers, "it's really a lot about the building."

She's right.
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Harvey remembers when she first worked at the Smithsonian 20 years ago, and the building was next to a triple-X theater."Now you're arguing with valet parkers instead of vagrants," she said.