News & Events Mead Art Museum at Amherst College to Host “What’s Cooking at the Mead?” Gallery Talk Series

September 1, 2010
Contact: Pamela Russell
Coordinator of College Programs
413/542-8229

AMHERST, Mass.—Starting Sunday, Sept. 12, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College will host “What’s Cooking at the Mead,” a series of six gallery talks featuring museum curators and educators in dialogue with local restaurateurs about the themes of food and dining in art. The talks—which are free and open to the public—are slated for 4 p.m. the Sunday afternoons of Sept. 12 and 26, Oct. 10 and 24, and Nov. 7 and 21 and will be followed by light refreshments provided by the participating chefs.

The series is part of Table for Ten, a region-wide promotion organized by Museums10, a partnership of ten outstanding museums and galleries, which will feature diverse offerings from exhibitions and cooking demonstrations to lectures and tastings.

“We are particularly thrilled to offer this innovative series so soon after completely refurbishing our galleries,” said Elizabeth Barker, museum director and chief curator. “The museum staff spent the past summer preparing a thoughtful reinstallation of our magnificent collection, and we are eager to share the Mead’s new look with a wide audience. These afternoons will be a great opportunity to get a taste of the Mead’s treasures, along with a taste of delicacies available from the many creative chefs in our area.”

Gallery session topics and the participating restaurateurs are as follows:

Sept. 12—A Taste of Europe: Elizabeth Barker with Paul Hathaway of Chez Albert, Amherst

Sept. 26—Contemporary Tastes: Local Food, Global Art: Maggie Dethloff with Tabellas Restaurant, Amherst

Oct. 10—Not Only Vodka: Russia’s Artistic and Culinary Spirit: Bettina Jungen with Victoria International, Springfield

Oct. 24—Food for the Soul: Traditions in African Art: Katrina Greene with Pat Ononibaku of Baku’s, Amherst

Nov. 7—American Traditions: Randall Griffey with Pengyew Catering, Amherst

Nov. 21—Art of the Ancient Mediterranean: Pamela Russell with Deborah Snow of Blue Heron, Sunderland

Space is limited, and reservations are recommended. Please call 413/542-2335 to register.

A complete schedule of the museum’s spring events is posted on the Mead’s Web site: www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/schedule. The Mead Art Museum houses the art collection of Amherst College, 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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