BYU’s Museum of Art is continuing with its fall and winter tradition of “Art After Dark,” and this month guests enjoy an evening of food, music and what will be the MOA’s newest exhibit, “No Place Like Home.”
According to the MOA’s website, this new exhibit “is an examination of the diverse rituals that define a dwelling, the physical representation of the house, and the universal desire to frame home as the cosmic center.” The exhibit will debut during the “Art After Dark” event on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., and highlights selections from the Sue and John Wieland collection of contemporary art.
Museum educator Kalisha Roberts Grimsman said this is a pertinent topic to students beginning school.
“It all focuses on the ideas of home: buildings, memories, concepts, just kind of everything that has to do with a home,” Grimsman said. “Growing up, leaving your home, broken homes — all of those types of things are reflected in this exhibition.”
The event is an opportunity for guests to come after hours and experience the new exhibition in a different way.
“We take the kind of museum experience that you could have every day and just really pump it up for a fun weekend social event that makes it interesting, cultural, educational, fun and dynamic all at the same time,” Grimsman said.
BYU microbiology student Kalare Eberting has been to the After Dark series a few times.
“I have so much fun every time I’ve gone. It’s classy,” Eberting said. “It gives you a really good excuse to go get out of your apartment, take a break from homework and go look at some art.”
Eberting said the music and art enhance the atmosphere and the MOA is a great place to get to know someone and “a great date night.”
Grimsman said the museum staff members know it can be intimidating to visit a fine arts museum, but they hope their event will break down that barrier.
“‘Art After Dark’ is trying to bring people and art together in a maybe less formal or traditional way than people are used to, so it’s less intimidating … much more fun and kind of more relaxed,” Grimsman said.
