Two large rocks were hurled through the front glass doors of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery early Tuesday.
Executive-director Lorna Johnson doesn’t know what to think about the senseless act of vandalism.
After being called at 2 a.m., after the museum’s alarm system went off, Johnson said she arrived to find both sets of front doors smashed in, but nothing stolen.
She can think of no other motive for the crime since she doesn’t know of anyone holding a grudge against the facility, and there are no controversial exhibits going on.
“We’ve had no threats, no dissatisfaction…” Johnson said.
Yet she feels somebody must have been pretty determined to throw rocks larger than bricks through the doors with so much force that they broke through glass panels on the inner and the outer doors.
The damage caused a three-hour museum shut-down on Tuesday morning as the doors were re-fitted with new glass.
This incident was a first in her 15 years at the museum — although when Johnson started she heard of a previous break-in and theft.
This time, no one was caught on the museum’s cameras because no one had entered the building. Johnson noted there was also no other damage to the facility — or to the Recreation Centre or the Golden Circle, next door.
While shocked by the vandalism, Johnson feels fortunate that nothing inside was damaged. “It just seems like a random act.”
Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious early on Tuesday is urged to report it to police.
In the meantime, the public can see two exhibits besides the permanent exhibit.
Unfamiliar Selves, art by Jude Griebel and Tammy Salzl, and Hot Mess: A Residency in Motherhood, an exhibit by Erin Boake are both on until Sept. 29.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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