UNLV’s Barrick Museum of Art is throwing open its doors on Friday for a day of arts, performances, and activities.
The museum is putting on the all-ages Art and Culture Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to generate interest in art and raise the Barrick’s profile. Events at the hands-on open house include quilting, sculpture, mask-making, and story time.
"When you come into the museum no matter what time you come between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., there's something to do." interim director Alisha Kerlin said. "They get to make art. They're bridging that gap between viewer and the creator."
Kerlin advises people to be prepared to get messy and said visitors should "dress dirty." She also said that there will be projects for all age ranges and all skill levels.
Also, the UNLV Department of Dance and the Erick Hawkins Institute West will be putting on a dance performance at 12:30 p.m.
"If you've never heard of Erick Hawkins, he's a modernist dancer and choreographer," Kerlin said, "It's a once in a lifetime experience."
The students are going to perform in the museum's Mexican Traditional Mask gallery.
Admission is free and materials will be provided.
The 50-year-old museum has been called a hidden gem of Las Vegas. Museum officials are working to chisel off the “hidden” part of that description by developing new community programming.
"We are the art museum in Las Vegas," Kerlin pointed out, "As part of that commitment of serving Las Vegas and serving our community, we believe a widespread awareness of visual art can nourish the well-being and cohesion of our community."
The Art and Culture day is part of a bigger effort to make the Barrick Museum more of a community resource.
"It's so natural," Kerlin said, "We're right in the middle of campus. Right by the Lied Library. We're just east of the Las Vegas Strip and we're free!"
Alisha Kerlin, Barrick Museum interim director