The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is making changes to the hours of operation and admissions at its cultural venues to ensure consistency and enhance the quality of benefits.

Both the Stark Museum of Art and The W.H. Stark House recently adjusted their opening hours, so that the doors to both venues open at 9:00 a.m. along with Shangri La Gardens. And starting Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, Shangri La will no longer be open on Sunday. As a result, all venues will be open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday. Shangri La and Stark Museum will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and The W.H. Stark House will close at 4:30 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to days and times of operations, admission at Shangri La, The W.H. Stark House and Stark Museum of Art is being restructured to be consistent at each venue, and combination admission for multiple venues will soon be available to visitors.

Other changes are being made to enhance visitor experience, including the expansion of the membership program at Shangri La Gardens, which provides members with free admission and other benefits at Shangri La. This membership program is being expanded to include Stark Museum of Art and The W. H. Stark House as part of an exciting new program called "STARK Cultural Venues".

Once the new STARK Cultural Venues membership program has been fully implemented, members will be able to enjoy free admission to all three venues as well as additional benefits exclusive to members only. More detail about STARK Cultural Venues memberships will be available soon, including information on the STARK Cultural Venues membership pre-sale in December.