Workmen still milled around on the roof of a new structuresituated between the Dallas Museum of Art and the Meyerson SymphonyCenter. A few of them tried to be as inconspicuous as possible asthey peeled tape off of the glass panes in the stone walls of theoutdoor garden.

Bamboo trees waved in the 70-degree winds, sprays from thefountains sprinkled passersby and the “Hammering Man”sculpture from Northpark Center toiled away at his perpetual task.It was a picturesque autumn day at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Art collector and real estate developer Raymond Nasher, whobuilt Northpark Center, financed the construction of the sculpturecenter. Three years in the making, the location is an artisticcomposition of wood, steel, stone and glass. The inaugural exhibitshowcases some of Nasher’s 300 works of art from his privatecollection. Nasher said he wanted to share his collection with thecity of Dallas as a show of gratitude for his quality of life.

Sculptures and paintings are both showcased in the center. Thereare seven sculptures by Pablo Picasso and 11 works by Henri Matisseamong the ranks. Not to be overlooked, the location itself is awork of art. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the 55,000square-foot structure, and architectural landscaper Peter Walkerdesigned the 1.42-acre sculpture garden.

Center director Steven A. Nash said the Nasher Sculpture Centerwas planned and executed to be one of the foremost showcases ofmodern and contemporary sculpture in the world. Nash wanted to takeadvantage of the urban location of the Dallas arts district.

“This is a place of serenity and contemplation in themidst of the urban sprawl,” Nash said. “It connectsculture with the environment.”

The center’s position between the Meyerson and the DallasMuseum of Art is part of the city council’s plan torevitalize the arts district.

The Nasher Sculpture Center includes a café and shop. Italso has art restoration and research facilities on site. Thecenter will open to the public on next Monday.