Modern Art in the "Little Apple": P1 Electrical Completes Work on the Museum of Art and Light

When you walk into the new MOA+L (Museum of Art and Light) and see the 23-foot colorful glass chandelier, you could easily be at an upscale museum in Manhattan, NY. But this gem is located in Manhattan, KS, also known as the “Little Apple”. 

Manhattan, KS, is now home to one of the newest immersive art experiences in the U.S., featuring traditional, digital and immersive art.

The Museum of Art + Light is the first art museum in the United States to present permanent multi-sensory immersive exhibition experiences along with displays of physical fine art objects.

Museum Director Erin Dragotto says she looks forward to the technology – and education – the museum can offer.

“Our mission is to bridge 21st century technology with the visual and performing arts,” she said. “This is the first museum in the country built with that in mind. The museum will also offer classes from some of the artists featured, teaching some of the techniques they use.”

Perhaps the museum’s crowning glory, Mezmereyz, fondly known as “The Mez”, is the Museum of Art + Light’s multi-sensory, state-of-the-art, 21,500 sq. ft. immersive exhibition environment. It is the first exhibit of its kind to be permanent and available all year ‘round, with rotating exhibits and artists.

Photos courtesy of MoA+L

The electrical team at P1’s Manhattan, KS, office recently completed work on the distinctive electrical systems that power the museum experience, including “The Mez”.

The electrical scope just for The Mez included power for 108 Epson projectors spanning across approximately 37,000 linear sq. ft. to produce 188,000,000 pixels of animated art.

According to Project Engineer Steven Smoll, says P1 had to be careful when running the wiring.

“P1 was able run the electrical in this room while keeping the wiring as hidden as possible so as to not interfere with experience,” he said.

Digital art may be the main attraction at this new museum, but they will still have traditional art exhibited as well.

Steven notes this required 2,800 feet of track with over 350 light heads to be installed into the ceiling. 

“With timing and teamwork, all the trades were able to work together to get these installed properly,” he said.

Post-design changes are not uncommon on some jobs, and Steven notes the team was able to adapt to several “after the fact” changes with this one.

“The first change our team tackled was the big chandelier that greets museum patrons,” Steven said.

“Adding this chandelier meant P1 had to route more power from the mechanical room, working around the elevator shaft, and running the wiring up into the 40 ft. lobby ceiling.”

In addition to the chandelier, the museum added a Radina’s Café, which entailed adding an additional transformer. Radina’s is a staple for coffee and baked goods in Manhattan, KS, adding some local flavor to the museum.

“Our electrical team had to run additional conduit and pipe to the third floor on the opposite side of the building, and they did it all while maintaining the original schedule,” Steven explained. 

The museum project was actually a combination of an existing structure and a new build.

”There was already part of an existing building, and we connected the new building to that,” Steven said.

“The existing building had no fire alarm or sprinkler system, so we had to tie the new building to the old building, run it all together, and get it all tied back to one central panel.”

“The only place to run wires for everything was on the second floor of the existing building within the attic space,” Steven said.

All the hard work paid off in the end, and the museum had their grand opening on November 8, 2024.

MOA+L is expected to be quite a draw for “the little apple”, and P1 was proud to play a role in this valuable piece of Manhattan, KS, history. 

P1 Quick Facts

• Power for 108 projectors in the immersive art space
• 2,800 ft. of track lighting for art gallery spaces with 350+ light heads
• Power for 3 air handling units (AHUs) on the new building
• Reworked power for 4 existing and 2 new roof top units (RTUs) on existing building

Mezmereyz or “The Mez” is the Museum of Art + Light’s groundbreaking, multi-sensory, immersive exhibition environment with the purpose of enticing even the most novice of visitors to the arts. Using the latest in projection technology, The Mez transports visitors through a fully animated, artistically driven tour to new places, spaces, and times where the projected story delves deep into the artistry, artist, or works themselves.