SAN MARINO, Calif. — As we inch towards a post-COVID world, officials are reminding us to adhere to safety and health protocols.

Now, some 85 Southern California museums, including the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, have partnered with the California Association of Museums to help shed a light on the region's urgent need to continue COVID-19 safety measures through an initiative called "Museums for Masks."

The Huntington’s Lucy Spriggs explained that it was a concerted effort among museums to leverage social media in a positive way.

“It seemed like the perfect time,” said Spriggs. “So, we started thinking about how we could use our platforms because, obviously, all of our institutions have this immense reach on social. What could we do to promote California's health policies? It was really sort of that genuine and that simple.”

For over 100 years, The Huntington has been a calm respite for visitors and, although the indoor spaces and galleries have been closed for nearly a year, the outdoor gardens have remained open since July, with restrictions and safety protocols.

“People genuinely wants to come to their local cultural institutions,” said Spriggs. “And we know The Huntington is a real source of solace and comfort. You see that today. People are just happy to be out in the sunshine.”

Like the public, The Huntington's staff is eager to reopen fully but know that will only happen if everyone remains vigilant, especially now that there are glimmers of hope.

“Our messaging was really simple: Wear masks. Stay six feet apart. Wash your hands. Stay home if you’re sick. If we get numbers down and our communities do become safer, then ultimately we will be able to reopen our indoor spaces, and people will be able to start enjoying everything we've got to offer in Southern California,” said Spriggs.

One of the things The Huntington is most excited about upon its reopening is the unveiling of Thomas Gainsborough’s newly restored “The Blue Boy” painting (c. 1770), which is one of the museum's key attractions. Few have seen "The Blue Boy" looking this good, and Spriggs noted that the public's yearning for art is palpable after a year without museums.

“On any social channel of any institution right now, all the comments are, ‘When will you open? When can we come back?’ I think from a visitor perspective, we're not too worried about a lack of numbers. If anything, you know, it's the other way,” Spriggs said, adding that The Huntington will continue its Museums for Masks messaging, knowing that the sooner communities are safe, the sooner we can gather once again.