On August 12, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts had the pleasure of hosting a team from the William King Museum of Art (WKMA) in Abingdon, Virginia. Their visit was inspired by MMFA’s recent feature in the Art Sentry case study, which highlighted our innovative approach to integrating security technology with curatorial practice.
The visiting team which was led by Kevin Leonard, Director of Security & Property Management, and Anna Buchanan, Senior Curator, was in the early stages of exploring Art Sentry for their own institution. Their goal: To gain firsthand insight into how MMFA has implemented the system and how it enhances both object protection and the visitor experience.
Unlike traditional surveillance setups that rely heavily on visible barriers or constant human monitoring, Art Sentry uses discreet motion-detection technology to alert security staff when visitors get too close to protected objects without disrupting the aesthetic or accessibility of the gallery space—assisting in facilitating an experience for visitors where they feel comfortable to explore the gallery in its entirety. At the MMFA, the decision to implement Art Sentry was driven by a dual commitment to safeguarding the collection and fostering a more open, engaging environment for guests. The system allows visitors to experience art up close without intrusive barriers, aligning with MMFA’s mission to make art more approachable and inclusive.
A Day of Learning and Connection
The day began with a warm welcome and introductions, followed by a guided gallery tour led by Margaret Lynne Ausfeld, Head of Curatorial at MMFA. The tour offered WKMA guests a chance to observe the Art Sentry system in action and understand how it supports both security and accessibility in our exhibitions.
A technical Q&A session in the library allowed for deeper discussion around system logistics, implementation challenges, and lessons learned. Our operations and security teams shared candid insights, offering a transparent look at what it takes to make Art Sentry work effectively in a dynamic museum environment.
In addition to the professional exchange, the visit included a shared lunch, and an afternoon visit to the Legacy Museum—an experience that left a lasting impression on our guests and underscored the cultural richness of Montgomery.
A Mutual Exchange of Ideas
The visit wasn’t just about technology—it was about building relationships. As Anna Buchanan shared in a follow-up note, “It was so informative to get to talk with museum professionals that have used this system before… We had the best time with you all and we hope to go back to Montgomery to experience more of it!”
MMFA’s Head of Operations, India L. Wilson shared the same sentiment in her statement, “We were honored to host our peers from WKMA and share our experience with Art Sentry, this visit was not only about technology—it was about building relationships and supporting one another in our shared mission to protect and present art in meaningful ways. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a broader dialogue around how we care for our collections while welcoming the public into closer connection with art.”
“We were honored to host our peers from WKMA and share our experience with Art Sentry, this visit was not only about technology—it was about building relationships and supporting one another in our shared mission to protect and present art in meaningful ways. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a broader dialogue around how we care for our collections while welcoming the public into closer connection with art.”
Looking Ahead
Much of this progress is thanks to the leadership of India L. Wilson, MMFA’s Head of Operations, whose vision and initiative were instrumental in introducing the Art Sentry system to the Museum. Her forward-thinking approach not only shaped MMFA’s integration of this technology but also positioned the Museum as a resource for others in the field. Through collaborative team effort, MMFA continues to balance security, accessibility, and innovation—while fostering meaningful exchange with institutions like WKMA. The MMFA team are proud to serve as a model for peer institutions exploring new technologies. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our journey with Art Sentry and to support other museums as they consider ways to enhance their visitor experiences.
To learn more about our experience, visit the Art Sentry website and read our Case Study.
To schedule a visit for your museum team, please contact India Wilson iwlison@mmfa.org
