Museum offers activities

By Jamie Teibel
Staff Writer

The last Friday of every month will now be a union of young people with art instead of a union with beer, drugs and sometimes each other.

The first in a series of "Fusion Fridays" hosted by the Lafayette Art Museum will begin at 8 tonight. On the last Friday of every month, excluding May, the museum has developed an evening for college students who want to enjoy a night out with food, music, prizes and art.

All rooms of the museum will be open tonight and there is no dress requirement, but attendees must be 21 to enjoy the wine tasting.

Exhibits on display include "Indiana Now," a showing of art by Indiana artists and "Two Views, Same Places," an area couple who paints watercolors and takes photographs from around the world.

Piano music will set the mood for a casual, laid-back evening. Each Friday is infused with a different theme, so no one will have the same experience twice. Some future themes include an Irish night and Latin night, with music and food to match.

Revelers will be able to put their likes, dislikes and theme ideas into a suggestion box provided. The door prizes include gifts from restaurants, movie theaters, salons, etc.

The idea for "Fusion Fridays" came from a similar, popular event at an Indianapolis art museum called "First Fridays." The event there has turned into a singles night with a huge turnout, said Kate O’Brien, the membership events coordinator at the Lafayette Art Museum.

She said she hopes Lafayette’s effort to provide the area with an alternative, sophisticated evening for young people will have the same outcome. She thinks these Fridays will join a younger audience with an older one.

She also sees it as a new way to experience the museum, hoping to hook people on art and make them less intimidated. "Come to the first one, give us a shot and see what it’s like to hang out at the art museum," said O’Brien.

Mark Broda, a junior in the School of Technology and a volunteer at the museum, said these evenings are supposed to bring people together in an artistic, professional atmosphere, which is less chaotic and impersonal than the bar scene. He hopes it will get more people involved with the museum and inspire them to volunteer.

Tonight’s event lasts from 8 to 10 p.m. and costs $5 for members and $7 for non-members. The money will go toward other "Fusion Fridays" and the museum. The museum is located at 101 S. 9th St.

Students, faculty debate Clinton legacy

Musical to depict life of Jesus

Recipes provide options for Super Bowl festivities

Drinks bring flavor to Bowl

Area restaurants offer specials

Museum offers activities

FEATURES DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 256

Features editor:
Megan Finnerty

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org