TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Juming Art Museum in New Taipei reopened to the public on Tuesday (Oct. 15) after closing for 10 days due to flooding from Typhoon Krathon.

Museum staff worked around the clock to remove mud and rainwater and reinstall outdoor sculptures that floodwaters knocked over. The museum continues to solicit donations from the public to replace equipment and infrastructure damaged by flooding.

On the first day of reopening, an anonymous elderly couple made a special trip to the museum to donate NT$5,000 (US$155) and then quickly left.

Museum Director Liu Bo-chun (劉柏村) said floodwater rushed into warehouses and low-lying areas knocking over many statues and damaging them. Liu said professional restorers have repaired all 136 damaged works, comprising 50 indoor and 86 outdoor pieces, per CNA. 

Liu said the museum’s warehouse suffered the heaviest losses, including the power distribution system, which required repair with the museum contemplating an overall redesign of the warehouse space. Liu said the exhibition at the time of the typhoon, "Fang Wu-Asian Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition," was not affected as floodwater did not enter the exhibition venue.

Liu said many art museums struggle financially, with the Juming Museum facing similar fiscal challenges exacerbated by Typhoon Krathon. Liu hoped the public could return to Juming Museum to appreciate its vast sculpture garden.