March 4, 2010
Contact: Pamela Russell
Coordinator of College Programs
413/542 8229

AMHERST, Mass.—On Saturday, April 10, from noon to 4 p.m., the MeadArt Museum at AmherstCollege will host a museum-wide open house showcasing its current exhibitions and latest projects at an event titled Get Smart with Art! The fun-filled afternoon of activities for all ages is free and open to the public.

During Get Smart with Art!, visitors will have a behind-the-scenes preview of the most recent additions to the museum’s collections—including works of art from China and a fascinating assortment of costumes and rare objects from Japanese theater—all of which will be on display at the Mead throughout the entire afternoon. Director Elizabeth Barker will hold an open discussion about the museum’s current priorities and goals, and curators Bettina Jungen (Russian art) and Randall Griffey (American art) will lead insiders’ tours of exhibitions currently on view. In addition, specially designed tours and activities will be offered for children, and student docents and museum staff will give guided tours of the Mead’s art from Africa, Asia and Latin America in conjunction with AmherstCollege’s weekend Celebration of Culture and Identity.

“We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to share with our community news of the many interesting projects now underway at the Mead,” said Barker. “Visitors of all ages will learn about our new exhibitions, new acquisitions and new educational initiatives —and we hope, have lots of fun in the process!”

Art-making activities and light refreshments will be available throughout the entire afternoon. Other scheduled events are as follows:

● Noon: Museum Highlights Tour by the Mead Student Docents

● 1 p.m.: Q&A with Museum Director Elizabeth Barker about breaking news of museum plans and projects

● 1 and 3 p.m.: Kids’ tours by the Mead student docents

● 2 p.m.: Celebrating Cultures and Identities: A Look at the Mead’s Diverse Collections with Coordinator of College Programs Pamela Russell, Curatorial Intern Katrina Greene and the Mead student docents

● 2:30 p.m.: Insiders’ tour of exhibition The Magic of Signs by Curator Bettina Jungen

● 3:30 p.m.: Insiders’ tour of exhibition An Expanding Lens by Curator Randall Griffey

A complete schedule of the museum’s spring events is posted on the Mead’s Web site: www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/schedule. The MeadArt Museum houses the art collection of AmherstCollege, totaling more than 16,000 works. An accredited member of the American Association of Museums, the Mead participates in Museums10, a regional cultural collaboration. During the academic term, the museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please visit the museum’s Web site, www.amherst.edu/museums/mead, or call 413/542-2335. 

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