When William and Henry Walters bequeathed their private collection of paintings, memorabilia and objets d?art to the city of Baltimore, they likely never imagined Friday night happy-hour celebrations would take place amid the glass-encased collections of medieval manuscripts and solid gold Egyptian jewelry.
But, as the museum?s public relations assistant Jessica Weglein is quick to point out,the idea behind the event is “to encourage people to see the fun side of the museum.”
“Believe me, a lot of eyebrows went up when … I started telling people that I wanted us to be as visitor friendly as Disney World,” museum Director Gary Vikan said.
True to his word, Vikan has chiseled away at the stodgy notion that art and its appreciation is for an elite, educated few.
For the Fridays at the Walters happy-hour series, the museum stays open until 8 p.m., admission is free and all are invited to enjoy beer, wine, light refreshments and live music.
Preceding the happy hour, curator C.D. Dickerson takes visitors on a tour of the Walters? collection of Renaissance and Baroque bronzes, narrating the magical process of converting molten bronze into a desired form, while chronicling the process of its evolution over time.
The evening continues in the museum?s Graham Auditorium, where the band LOW MOdA plays a repertoire of love songs. The sextet consists of vocalist Peter Quinn, guitarist Christan Sturgis, bass/guitarist Jeff McGrath, keyboardist Gillain Quinn, violist Raili Haimila and guitarist Scott Braid.
The group says they “are interested in the unique experience of being heard outside of conventional musical institutions,” and speaks collectively when they say they make music as a community of friends.
If you go
Fridays at the Walters
» Venue: The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore
» Times: 5 to 8 p.m.
» Cost: Free; cash bar available
» More info: thewalters.org
