New events to break down
stereotypes at art museum
By Emily Bauldauff
Staff
Writer
Art museums are boring.
This is the type of misconception organizers at
the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art are hoping to dispel with their
Fusion Friday events.
"There is a stereotype that art museums are stuffy
and uncomfortable places," said the museum's membership and special
events coordinator Kate O’Brien. "This event is designed to
break down some of the barriers people have with museums."
The museum initiated Fusion Friday last winter
after being inspired by similar events held at the Indianapolis Museum
of Art and the Cincinnati Museum of Art.
The focus of these events is to give the community
a fun, new way to experience the art museum after hours. Events offer
food, drinks and entertainment that create an uncommon, relaxed atmosphere
for people to experience the artwork at the museum.
The event tries to attract new faces, as well as
keeping museum regulars active in the museum.
"This has allowed us to get more people involved
with the art museum," said Fusion Friday committee member Kayo
Merrit. "It gives people an opportunity to see it as a social setting."
Fusion Friday will return to the museum this week
with the "last blowout of the summer." The event will feature
extra door prizes, food, coffee by the Java Roaster and a cash bar sponsored
by Penguin Liquors.
Fusion Friday organizers are already planning this
fall’s events, which they hope will attract even more newcomers.
September’s event, "Not Quite Wright
Night," will celebrate the opening of the fall exhibit "Frank Lloyd
Wright’s Samara." The event, held on the museum grounds, will also
feature artist demonstrations and a battle of the bands.
"Artoberfest" in October will include
a Battle of the Beers sponsored by Penguin Liquors and the winner of
the battle of the bands will play.
November’s event will be a dressy holiday
party set in the Museum galleries showcasing the Frank Lloyd Wright
exhibit.
In the past, Fusion Friday events have attracted
more than 100 people, and museum organizers are hoping to double that
amount this year.
"We generally get a nice crowd," O’Brien
said. "There is a real variety of people — one minute you
might be talking to a master's student in engineering and the next,
maybe a president of a business."
Organizers believe that the unusual setting coupled
with the diverse group of people make Fusion Friday a great way for
people to experience the art museum for the first time or the 100th
time.
"It’s different. It’s something
Lafayette doesn’t have," said Merritt. "It’s a great
opportunity to see the museum and be social."
"I would encourage people to come for a change
of pace on a Friday night," O’Brien said. "It’s
a good opportunity to learn a little about the art museum while meeting
new people."
Admission for the Fusion Friday events is $7 for
non-members and $5 for members. For more information call 742-1128 or
visit www.glmart.org.
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