By Amber Kennedy
Starting Sept. 10, visitors can explore the Barry Art Museum's exhibitions and collection after-hours for free during a new monthly series of events.
Beginning with the opening reception for its new exhibition, "Karen LaMonte: Théâtre de la Mode," the museum will open its doors from 5 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. The new evening hours offer opportunities for the community to visit the museum beyond the usual operating hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Staying open late also provides a chance for the museum to plan evening events with students and faculty across campus, along with community organizations.
"Our after-hours events will be a celebration of community and a way to make the museum even more accessible, especially to students," said Charlotte P. Kasic, interim executive director of the museum. "We want students to see themselves reflected in this space."
The initial event pays homage to the fashion influence on LaMonte's sculptures of clothed figures cast in glass, iron and bronze. Original costumes by award-winning designer and cosplayer Philip Odango will be displayed throughout the museum. Using music, poetry and lighting, the Core Theatre Ensemble will present "Transformation," a movement-based performance inspired by the ancient Cult of Artemis. By incorporating multicultural literature and language, the performance examines the phase of human existence and the journey of change.
In October, the museum will light up the night for the three-day presentation of the "Museum of the Moon," a large-scale, detailed sculpture by British artist Luke Jerram. The lunar exhibition will shine over 43rd Street from dawn to dusk, but from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 to 17 there will be live performances, food, drinks and family-friendly programming. The Barry Art Museum has teamed with other lunar-enthusiast community partners, including NASA Langley, the Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium, the Remote Experience for Young Engineers and Scientists (REYES) program at ODU, Monarch Market vendor fair, Lil Truck of Tools, Gordon Art Galleries, Back Bay Astronomers, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Chrysler Museum Glass Studio.
In November, the Museum will launch "U-Nite," intended to bring the campus and community together for a free evening of entertainment. The Nov. 12 "U-Nite" delves into the intersections of fashion and design, featuring a fashion show with works by students from ODU and the Governor's School for the Arts. A Dec. 10 "U-Nite" is planned around the theme of theater and film, exploring vintage films, French culture and tableaux vivants - "living pictures" of carefully staged static scenes.
All second Friday events will be free and open to the public. RSVP is not required but encouraged. To learn more about each event, visit barryartmuseum.odu.edu.
