The following release is from the Montclair Art Museum:
Free First Thursday Nights invite the Montclair Art Museum’s (MAM’s) entire community to enjoy a night out at the Museum the first Thursday of the month (October– June) from 5 to 9 p.m. The programming includes a dynamic mix of free admission, a full-service bar, live music, and a variety of activities. Offerings change on a monthly basis, providing something new to see and do at every First Thursday Night. First Thursdays return October 1 for an exciting fourth season! Free First Thursday Nights are made possible by TD Bank.
The Montclair Art Museum is proud to announce two new partnerships with Free First Thursday Night: Upstairs restaurant and bar in Upper Montclair and Wolke Chiropractic of Verona. The Art Bar at MAM, a Free First Thursday Night favorite, is now in partnership with Upstairs bar and restaurant. The full-service bar will feature signature cocktails, wine, and NJ Beer Co. beer at special Free First Thursday Night prices. Museum members receive a special discount on all drinks at the bar. Guests can also relax with complimentary chair massages courtesy of Wolke Chiropractic.
This fall, MAM will highlight its new exhibition Eric Carle: Animals and Friends, including more than 60 original collages, studies, and book dummies/mock ups by the acclaimed and beloved children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle. Family-friendly programming in October will include a performance by the Jungle Gym Jam Duo, a Montclair-based Jersey acoustic rock act geared toward children and families, and a kid’s refreshments bar provided by Whole Foods Montclair. Additionally, children (grades K–5) are invited to enter TD Bank’s Children’s Art Contest for a chance to win a prize pack from MAM and TD Bank (entries are due by Sunday, October 4). The exhibition also includes two interactive spaces—the Reading Nook and Family Learning Lab—which will be open to drop in during Free First Thursday Night.
Following the theme of illustration, two artist/author/illustrators will also be on hand to discuss their work: Ashli Sisk (The Sumatran Rhino Coloring Book) and Kristine Lombardi (Lovey Bunny, Yard School of Art instructor of Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books). Artist Janet Taylor Pickett will also be featured in an intimate art talk with gallerist Kathy Imlay at 7 p.m. Pickett is the subject of an exhibition at the nearby Gallery at Hillside Square opening September 26 and will be featured at MAM in 2016. Finally, another fan favorite, the Yard School of Art Draw Along Workshop offers a free session with a clothed model every Free First Thursday Night.
Additional exhibitions on view include permanent collection exhibitions Work and Leisure in American Art and Illustrations and Literary Themes in American Art. Illustrations and Literary Themes closes October 18, so don’t miss the only Free First Thursday Night chance to see the exhibition! Tours will be held every hour on the half hour: at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. docents will feature Eric Carle: Animals and Friends and at 7:30 p.m. Work and Leisure in American Art.
Enjoy tasty treat samples from Pink Cupcakes (West Orange) or pick up a meal from one of MAM’s featured food trucks: Cayena Columbian Street Food, Ann’s Catering, and Oink and Moo BBQ.
Free First Thursday Nights run October through June. For an up-to-date schedule of upcoming Free First Thursday Nights, visit montclairartmuseum.org/free-first-thurs-nights.
Free First Thursday Nights are made possible by TD Bank.
Visitors are encouraged to share their First Thursday Nights experience on social media. Find the Museum on:
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/montclairartmuseum
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/MAMmontclair Use the hashtag #MAMfftn
- Instagram – Share your photos with #MAMfftn
- Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/montclairartmuseum/ Share your photos with MAM in our Free First Thursday Nights group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/mamfftn/
- The Museum encourages groups to attend Free First Thursday Nights! Groups of 10 or more are asked to RSVP to thursdays@montclairartmuseum.org. In return, the group will receive a special mention on the Free First Thursday Nights webpage. Have a creative business or activity you’d like to present at Free First Thursday Nights? Please email us a description at thursdays@montclairartmuseum.org.
About the Museum
The Montclair Art Museum, a notable, community-based institution with an international reputation, boasts a renowned collection of American and Native American art that uniquely highlights art making in the United States over the last three hundred years. The collection includes more than 12,000 objects: paintings, prints, original works on paper, photographs, and sculpture by American artists from the 18th century to the present, as well as traditional and contemporary Native American art and artifacts representing the cultural developments of peoples from all of the major American Indian regions.
The Museum’s education programs serve a wide public and bring artists, performers, and scholars to the Museum on a regular basis.
MAM’s Yard School of Art is the leading regional art school, offering a multitude of comprehensive courses for children, teens, adults, seniors, and professional artists. The Yard School was recently recognized in the Discover Jersey Arts People’s Choice Awards 2015 as the Favorite Adult Art Class and Favorite Art Camp.
The Montclair Art Museum is located at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair, N.J. Information and directions are available on the Museum website, montclairartmuseum.org, or by calling 973-746-5555. MAM is open Wednesdays through Sundays, Noon – 5 p.m., and on the first Thursday night of the month (October–June), from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays. Museum admission is $12 for nonmember adults, $10 for senior citizens and students with I.D., and free for members and children under 12. Free First Thursday Nights and Free First Fridays are free for everyone. The Store at MAM is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and has extended hours until 9 p.m. on Free First Thursday Nights.
All Museum programs are made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, Carol and Terry Wall/The Vance Wall Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and Museum members.
