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A “sprinkler emergency” at the newly reopened Harlem institution forced staff to evacuate visitors
After evacuating visitors last Friday afternoon and closing through the weekend due to a “sprinkler emergency” affecting its gift shop, the Studio Museum in Harlem will remain temporarily closed until Saturday, February 7, to remediate water damage from the incident.
The Studio Museum shared information about the extended closure in an email notice today, announcing that all programs and events have been cancelled and that those who purchased tickets in advance have been refunded.
The institution, which debuted its new building to the public last November following a seven-year closure for construction, had been preparing for last weekend’s snowstorm and cold front when a sprinkler near the building’s entrance was damaged.
Staff instructed visitors to exit the museum as water began pouring from the ceiling and into the gift shop. One person on the premises, who asked Hyperallergic to remain anonymous, said they “saw a large pool of water on the floor near the entrance, and saw the water flowing down in the store.”
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) told Hyperallergic on Friday that they responded to a call for a “sprinkler emergency” at 2:30 pm. There were no injuries, FDNY said. A spokesperson for the Studio Museum confirmed that no artworks or galleries were impacted.
Hyperallergic has reached out to the museum for additional details about the scope of repairs for the resulting water damage.
