The new Islands Museum of Art unveiled architectural renderings of the new museum, and the IMA Board of Director announced a $2.28 million preliminary acquisition and construction budget and a July 4, 2014, target opening date.

Earlier this month, the IMA relocated its offices to the new location at 540 Spring St., the former EMS building. A “groundbreaking” ceremony will be held in November and completion of construction is expected in early summer, although Acting Executive Director Charlie Bodenstab adds “barring unforeseen circumstances” to his prediction of a completion date. A gala grand opening celebration is planned for July 4.

The plans, by noted local architect Richard Hobbs and public building architects Wagner/Galloway of Palisade, Colo., show a transformation of the former EMS building.

A dramatic glass facade on Spring Street with a soaring, 20-foot ceiling and a new glassed-in atrium entrance in the middle of the building away from the street will define the building. “The building reflects what is going on inside. Coming here will be an artistic experience,” said Hobbs.

The EMS building, which Hobbs says was well-built “with great bones,” is basically a big rectangular box. The museum as designed retains the box “footprint,” but the box disappears behind the glass add-ons and a corten steel entry facade and walkway.

Three first floor galleries, the two largest of which can be joined together, are created, and the existing second floor to the back will be a studio and education center, with storage to the side.

The plans provide a total of about 6,000 square feet of usable space, all of it with museum-standard air conditioning to protect exhibited art.

Originally named the Visual Museum of Art, the IMA was created in 2001, operated in several locations over its first dozen years, and for a few years was joined with the Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor. It is overseen by a six-member board – President Dr. Bo Turnage, Vice President Jack Yelverton,

Secretary Marilyn Luckman, co-treasurers Barbara Ray and Karen Woldvedt, and Acting Executive Director Charlie Bodenstab. At least one more board member, and perhaps more, will be added.

In line with the business background of several of the directors, the IMA has produced a six-year financial plan, which shows operating income, including contributions, at $1.4 million and expenses of $1.2 million.

Over two hundred thousand dollars in contributions have already been raised, even before the Board’s expected announcements in November of fundraising plans. IMA board Vice President Jack Yelverton is confident the community will respond generously “to this wonderful cultural facility.” More than thirty leading community figures have volunteered to help, and more are expected after the November fundraising kickoff.

The 5-year capital construction account is pegged at $2.28 million, all of it to be raised from donations and grants. The $650,000 purchase price for the building is included in that figure.

The pro-forma financial statements are accompanied by a timetable outlining four phases of planning, construction, finishing and furnishing the various exhibit galleries, with a hoped-for grand opening by next summer.