The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Arts October 13, 2007

Allen Opens at Dark

Normally a relatively serene, placid environment — the quiet site of wandering art history students and subdued class excursions — the Allen Memorial Art Museum was transformed last Thursday into a lively locale, filled with music, catered food, performance art, visiting exhibits and an overflow of students from all disciplines. This metamorphosis represents the resurrection of an old Allen tradition: Allen After Hours, an event aimed at bringing new students into the museum, therefore increasing its accessibility.

The event, held from 7 to 9:30 p.m., was the first of its kind put on since 2002.  

“The Allen used to have an event like this regularly in the late ’90s,” said Colette Crossman, the recently hired curator of academic programs and a central force in the planning of Allen After Hours.

“With this event, we hope to draw students into the museum and make it accessible to them,” Crossman continued. “We want to make it a welcoming place. A lot of students come with their classes. I want to get students to come on their own.”

Jason Trimmer, curator of education and co-planner of the event, echoed these sentiments: “The main goal for the event is to get students into the museum who aren’t exposed to it in their classes, especially freshmen and sophomores. We want to reach out and get them engaged.”

College senior and student museum docent Catherine Janis said, “Even though [the Allen] is right across Tappan Square, [students] don’t have a chance to come. We want to make the museum fun.”

Along with the music, food and usual exhibits, this “fun” included a raffle, performance pieces and a show specifically created for the event, titled Co-ed Bed, by traveling artist Patsy Kline, owner of Gallery &Uuml;Haul.

“Finding Gallery U was complete luck,” explained Trimmer. “I read about it in the Plain Dealer, called them in August and here they are outside.”

Kline’s piece addressed the current controversy over all-gender dorm rooms through the re-installation of a set of twin beds in her U-Haul, prompting the viewer to ask, “Do U think colleges in general are ready to embrace this ultimate step in gender blending — the co-ed room? Are you ready?” The artist’s work fits the theme of the event: placing art and museum life in the forefront of Oberlin students’ minds and reconstructing the museum sphere as a highly relevant and accessible space.

“This [event] is kind of an experiment,” said Abbe Schriber, a College junior and one of the many docents placed throughout the museum, ready to answer fellow students’ questions and chat about the exhibits.

“I was afraid that no one would come,” said College sophomore Victoria Werner, another docent.

“I was really nervous all day,” said Trimmer.

Despite these hesitations, Allen After Hours appears to have been a huge success. 

“I saw the stuff outside and that was really interesting. It prompted me to come in and see what’s going on,” said College senior Ashley Allen. 

“It’s kind of embarrassing, but this is my first time in the Allen,” added another anonymous College senior.

“I’m impressed with the way this turned out. It’s so strange to hear music in a space that’s normally so silent,” said Werner.

Crossman said, “It’s a success. We’ve had a lot of students. Students are having a good time. Students are actually in the galleries, looking at the exhibitions, not just by the food.”


 
 
   

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