TMORA was founded in 2002 by Raymond and Susan Johnson, collectors from Minnesota. At that time, the Johnsons owned what was believed to be the largest privately held collection of Soviet-era Realist paintings outside the borders of the former Soviet Union. A gallerist and art dealer, Mr. Johnson began to study the Soviet art-market in the late 1980s, as the political liberalization of the former Soviet Union was taking place. He initiated the process of researching the availability and documenting the quality of Russian art of the second half of the 20th century by engaging a number of renowned independent art historians living in Russia to assist him in identifying the important artists of the period. Mr. Johnson made his first major purchase in 1990. Thereafter, he and his team took numerous trips to Russia, mainly to Moscow, and collectively made more than 1,000 visits to artists and their families to review and acquire works. A detailed documentation of his purchases including all the necessary permissions for the export of the artworks out of the country has been preserved. His collection of over 10,000 paintings and drawings includes works by hundreds of the most important artists of the period.
Since acquiring their collection, the Johnsons have made selected portions available on loan to a variety of American museums, universities, and cultural institutions for non-commercial exhibition and educational purposes. The Johnsons recognized the importance of their collection and, desiring to create a legacy honoring Russian art of the Soviet period, they initiated the idea of a museum dedicated specifically to exhibiting the art of Russia from that time. They founded The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) at a Bloomington, Minnesota location in 2002, and the Museum’s inaugural public exhibition took place that year. With the mission of promoting education, enlightenment, and engagement through the art of Russia, the Museum received its (501)(c)(3) status as a non-profit corporation from the IRS in 2002, as well.
TMORA is governed by an independent Board of Trustees. In 2005, the Museum moved from its original Bloomington site to its current location in Minneapolis. The Museum continues to expand its focus beyond 20th century paintings with exhibitions of Russian icons, photography, printmaking, lacquer art, porcelain, textiles, Soviet posters, Matryoshka dolls, Russian Christmas ornaments, contemporary Russian émigré artists, and beyond. Exhibitions at TMORA are designed by the Museum staff and generally include works selected from its growing permanent collection, supplemented by items obtained on loan from various museums, individual collectors, and artists. The Museum enhances its continuous program of public exhibitions by sponsoring subject specific lectures, seminars, concerts, and other unique events, which include independent scholars of Russian culture and other specialties who share their expertise with the TMORA audience.
The History of TMORA’s Unique Building
The building style is Spanish Colonial-Revival, with architectural elements based on the Texas Mission in San Antonio. The façade silhouette resembles Mission San Antonio de Valero, also known as the Alamo. The Rose window and stone carvings are adapted from Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, also in San Antonio. The pierced belfry, multiple arches, Romanesque windows, stucco walls, large wooden beams, and terra cotta tile roofs are all common to the Mission style.
The church’s first resident pastor, the Rev. Silas Meckel, traveled south to the Mission Valley and according to his daughter, Bette Meckel Babcock, fell in love with the architecture of the Mission Trail. Upon returning to Minnesota Rev. Meckel requested that the new church building reflect those Texas Missions. According to church member Marguerite Farnham Drake, “That Spanish Mission style was not a Congregational style and it really wasn’t a style appropriate for Minnesota, but it was a style that the Meckels were fond of and the congregation was extremely fond of the Meckels” (Mayflower Journey, p. 6-7).
Members’ Contributions
Many of the Mayflower members worked on the building site, contributing to the construction. Carl Bard, a founding member of the church, was the architect. Bard and his partner, Joseph Vanderbilt, designed many of the churches and civic buildings in the area, including the original Mt. Olivet Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Linden Hills Branch Library. The exterior stone carvings were created by early church members David McFarlane and Joe Cobb, owners and operators of the Rich McFarlane Cut Stone Company (now McFarlane Stone). For The Museum of Russian Art project, the stonework was restored by Dean McFarlane, great-grandson of David McFarlane, continuing the multi-generational stone carving tradition.
The Later Years
The original white chapel was removed in 1940 and a classroom building was erected over its foundation. In 1974, the Mayflower congregation moved into its new church across the street. The Spanish Colonial-Revival building was sold to Enga Memorial Chapel, saving it from demolition. The funeral home operated for nearly 30 years.
The Museum of Russian Art
In early 2004, The Museum of Russian Art acquired the site. Under the direction of Julie Snow, design principal for Julie Snow Architects, Inc., the building was converted into a world class art museum. The design concept preserves the original architectural character, while stylistically distinguishing the new from the old. For example, the new elevator shaft covered in terra cotta tile references the original clay tile roof, while the mezzanine construction is designed for transparency, allowing the art, as well as architectural elements, to be seen throughout the space. The museum-quality environmental systems are seamlessly woven into the structure.
The unique building has a rich history of service and dignity. The Museum of Russian Art continues these traditions through the exploration of the art and culture of Muscovite Russia, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, its former republics, and post-Soviet Russia.
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