Garden party on Lapsley Lane celebrates Barnes partnership
St. Joe’s and The Barnes Foundation came together to celebrate the naming of the Barnes Foundation gallery building in honor of Frances M. Maguire on Sept. 27.
The Barnes Arboretum and Frances M. Maguire gallery building are located behind the St. Joe’s Maguire Campus on 41 Lapsley Lane.
After determining which pieces will reside in the Frances M. Maguire gallery and the maintenance that needs to be done to them, University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D. anticipates at least one year’s worth of construction until the gallery building will be open to all.
“I am so happy they [the Maguire family] are here and that, for me, everybody came together to celebrate art and education,” Frances Maguire said.
According to Megan Maguire Nicoletti, daughter of Frances and James Maguire, as well as president and CEO of the Maguire Foundation, the renaming of the Barnes Foundation gallery was a surprise that the family kept from her mother Frances.
“That’s why when we all heard [President Mark C. Reed announce the gallery name], she [Frances Maguire] burst into tears of joy,” Nicoletti said.
An artist and long-time advocate for the arts, Frances Maguire and husband James Maguire have been integral in the growth of the St. Joe’s community. In 2017, James J. ’58 and Frances M. Maguire gifted $50 million to St. Joe’s, the largest single gift in university history.
According to Nicoletti, St. Joe’s is the equivalent to another child for her mother, Frances.
“The greatest thing about my mom as an artist is that she sees the beauty in all art,” Nicoletti said. “So no matter how accomplished you are as an artist, she thinks your work is amazing.”
According to Thom Collins, executive director and president of the Barnes Foundation, the plans for the future include courses and programs in life science as well as the creation of a minor in horticultural science.
“We know that our distinguished neighbor Saint Joseph’s University is the ideal partner,” Collins said. “At long last we are together. And together we hope to ensure the long-term health of the horticultural program and the long-term sustainable growth of the Arboretum here in Merion.”
According to Reed, the Barnes Foundation property will remain open.
“The obvious benefits, of course, are that we have this beautiful property adjacent to our campus that, throughout a period of time, will become integrated through our campus,” Reed said.
“I would say to students who are interested in utilizing these grounds for academic or other purposes to step forward and imagine and challenge us and think about ways we can do it,” Reed said. “Take advantage of it and come to explore the ground and the gardens.”
Richard Goalwin has been giving guided tours of the garden at the Barnes Arboretum since they began three years ago. Goalwin is also a living collections volunteer at the Barnes Foundation.
“I am hopeful that this partnership is going to lead to a revitalization of the gardens, cleaning up some of the weeds and invasive plants and a renewed emphasis on education for the local community as well as Saint Joseph’s students,” Goalwin said.
Reed said he encourages students to visit the Arboretum when possible.
“I always tell students one of our goals is to make this place better for you and make it better for the students who follow you,” Reed said. “If you can’t enjoy it while you’re here, come back as an alum.”
