Tacoma Art Museum officials announced Tuesday they will host a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of a $15.5 million, 16,000-square-foot building expansion and redesign.

In April, museum officials unveiled design plans for the project, which includes the Haub Wing, featuring the Haub Family Collection, one of the leading collections of Western American art. The project will create over 50 percent more gallery space and a more welcoming environment for the community to enjoy and explore the museum’s collections, according to museum officials. The significant donation of iconic works by the Haub family aims to transform Tacoma Art Museum into one of the leading museums in the country featuring Western American art, according to museum officials.

Designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects, the project is expected to be completed in late-2014.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thurs., Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. at the museum, located at 1701 Pacific Ave., in downtown Tacoma. The event will include a blessing ceremony by the Puyallup Tribe, remarks by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, and a panel discussion featuring art collectors, Christian and Liliane Haub, museum director Stephanie A. Stebich, Olson Kundig Architects principal and owner Tom Kundig, and Haub Curator of Western American Art Laura Fry.

More information is available online at tacomaartmuseum.org.