Following an incident that occurred last Friday, the Studio Museum in Harlem has announced a temporary closure until Saturday, February 7. This decision comes after a sprinkler malfunction affected the museum's gift shop, prompting the evacuation of visitors over the weekend.
In a notice sent out via email, the museum confirmed that all scheduled programs and events have been cancelled, and refunds have been issued to those who purchased tickets in advance. The museum is currently focused on addressing the water damage caused by the incident.
The museum, which recently opened its new building to the public last November after a seven-year renovation, was preparing for an anticipated snowstorm when the sprinkler system near the entrance was compromised.
As water began to leak from the ceiling into the gift shop, staff quickly directed visitors to exit the premises. An anonymous visitor reported witnessing a significant water accumulation on the floor, creating a challenging situation.
The New York City Fire Department responded promptly to the emergency call at 2:30 PM on Friday, confirming that there were no injuries and that no artworks or galleries were harmed during the incident. The museum is currently working on assessing the extent of the required repairs.
