SMU students packed into the Meadows Museum for the annual ARTafterDark event on Thursday, Sept. 25, where the galleries transformed into a lively space of creativity and community.
Dr. Anne Kindseth, director of education at the Meadows Museum, described the inspiration for this year’s theme, “Take a Selfie,” as a complement to the museum’s current photography exhibitions, “Roaming Mexico: Laura Wilson” and “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Visions of Mexico.”
“Everything relates to photography in some way,” Kindseth said. “It was tricky since photography is a process that is not necessarily quick all the time so we had to get creative.”
Given the timing complications for integrating photography, the museum planned the event’s activities months in advance, slowly coming to life through careful planning and innovation.
The Meadows Museum turned 60 in April and celebrated with museum tours and a birthday bash. Anastasiya Shyvilka, a studio art student and Meadows Museum intern, created this year’s limited-edition artist t-shirt to keep the party going.
“I wanted to celebrate the museum’s 60th anniversary, so I included cake, angels and birthday-related themes on the shirt’s image,” Shyvilka said.
Students had a variety of fun activities to choose from, such as creating photo bracelets, taking pictures with friends at the RGB photobooth, listening to a gallery talk by a fellow student, or simply enjoying a night of art and music.
Apart from organizing art activities, the museum also offered a Mexican dessert bar featuring sweets and pastries from local bakeries. Students gathered in the lobby to mingle with friends and have a quick bite before the next activity.
“I want students to have an experience in a museum that is fun and that would inspire them to come back,” Kindseth said.“Museums are fun places to come as friends, to look at art, to talk.”
The goal was achieved by several individuals this past Thursday. Ella Forsthoffer and Sophia Pham, sophomores, expressed their experience at the museum as a fun diversion from the first month of classes and a good way to build memories.
“I went last year and was excited to come back,” Pham said. “The museum has a lot of fun, quick things to try out.”
“Good way to come and appreciate the art,” Forsthoffer said. “I wouldn’t have thought to come here, but this event was good exposure.”
ARTafterDARK may only be an annual event, but the museum offers its students much more throughout the year. The Meadows Museum calendar has more exhibits and events in store for Dallas this next semester, ranging from workshops, tours, “Movies with Meadows” and more.
“I honestly just want SMU students to know that we are here and that we are a resource for them on campus, either for their studies or for their well-being,” Kindseth said.
