Thu 1/2 @ 10am
Fri 1/3 @ 10am
Sat 1/4 @ 10am
By Josh Usmani
2013. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. At least for the Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum has planned a week (well, 4 days) of events to celebrate the end of 2013, the Opening Week of 2014 and the completion of its recent renovations.
The completion on the museum’s $350 million expansion project transcends the institution to a truly world-class facility. However, this milestone is balanced by the fallout from former director David Franklin’s resignation. With Franklin now out of the proverbial picture, the museum looks to move forward to a new chapter.
Although the Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, the festivities of Opening Week continue all day on Thu. Organizers have planned programming for the whole family.
Events include a scavenger hunt through the galleries, a portrait puzzle inspired by the famous living painter Chuck Close, Art Stories story time series in Gallery One, live music by the Johnny Conchrane Trio and Metropolitan Brass Quintet in the Atrium, The Amazing Race: CMA Edition (prizes awarded), the opportunity to handle art objects from the museum’s collection, a celebration of the 100 year anniversary of Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp, guided tours through the museum’s galleries, opportunities to draw both traditionally and with iPads and much more!
On Friday, the museum presents a special, all-day celebration that culminates with the first MIX Happy Hour of 2014 – with extended hours. Daytime festivities include more scavenger hunts, visual crossword puzzles, gallery bingo, trivia games, guided meditation in the West Wing Glass Box Gallery led by a Buddhist nun, special curator-guided tours, a demonstration of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy techniques and more.
The MIX Happy Hour (extended edition) runs from 5-11pm and includea art, cocktails and live music. Solstice favorite DJ Rekha returns to the museum along with DJ Donga. DJ Rekha infuses hip hop and electronic dance music with Bhangra and Bollywood influences, while DJ Donga’s musical influences span the globe.
The fun continues Saturday with more games and family fun for Scholar’s Day. Highlights include a screening of Russian Ark Nonstop, an opportunity to meet and mingle with new and old friends, a Scholar’s Talk on “Collecting China in Cleveland” with CWRU Assistant Professor Noelle Giuffrida, a presentation on Buddhist concepts that inspired George Lucas’ Star Wars and a discussion on Indian Art with William H Danforth, Professor of Religion at Oberlin University.
Make a new year’s resolution to visit the museum during Opening Week and enjoy the breathtaking renovations and all the fun events.
Opening Week runs Tue 12/31 – Sat 1/4. Museum closed Wed 1/1.
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.
One Response to “Ring in 2014 with Opening Week @ClevelandArt”
Jean Sommer
CMA is one of the many good things about living in Cleveland and I say this as a born and bred Londoner .