The new state-of-the-art Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Building at The Brinton Museum in Big Horn, Wyo., lighting design called for lighting to both protect the artifacts and define the space to reflect the beauty of the building. The $15 million 24,000 square-foot space, located in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, displays rare tribal war shirts and ceremonial robes, hives, painted drums and other Plains Indian artifacts, many of which were made with natural pigments.
The team chose Soraa Lighting, Fremont, Calif., to provide the lighting technology. The company’s GaN on GaN LED lighting technologies render the widest range of colors in the objects without ultraviolet or infrared radiation that can fade or harm the artifacts.
Located on the 620-acre historic Quarter Circle A Ranch in Big Horn, the eco-conscious museum houses one of the most significant and extensive 19th and 20th century Western and American Indian Art collections in the U.S., featuring Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, Thomas Moran, Edward Borein, Winold Reiss and the largest Hans Kleiber collection in the world.
“We needed the right light to both illuminate the past and preserve the future. Soraa LEDs do that perfectly,” said Ken Schuster, director and chief curator, The Brinton Museum. “The new Forrest E. Mars, Jr. building has changed the future of The Brinton Museum and these important pieces. While we always felt we were an important part of the arts community in Wyoming, we’ve taken a quantum leap forward and are now one of the most vibrant museums in the Rocky Mountain West.”
Jeffrey Leffeld Versakos, CEO of BandNY and LEDspin, wanted lighting to both protect the artifacts and define the space to reflect the beauty of the building. Versakos chose Soraa VIVID MR16 LED lamps for color rendering and protective qualities, along with Soraa’s SNAP system to better control the beam distribution.
“These are amazing, rare artifacts and we needed the ability to expertly and accurately light the collection displayed in this unique space. With no UV and IR radiation, as well as low heat output, Soraa LED lamps protect the objects. The SNAP System with magnetic accessories provides a flexible and easy way to perfectly customize the light for the artifacts and space,” said Versakos.