The Benton Museum welcomed students to its First Thursday Open House event on Thursday, Nov. 6. The event ran from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and was the Benton’s second open house event of the fall semester. The museum worked in collaboration with Student Health and Wellness, WHUS Radio, SUBOG, the Homer Babbidge Library and The Beanery to bring unique activities to attendees, including music, books and free drinks.
Activities were split between the building’s two floors; SUBOG’s Open Mic event took place downstairs in The Beanery, while SHaW, WHUS’s live DJ, the library’s book stand and the Benton’s craft night all resided upstairs in the east galleries.
SUBOG’s Open Mic was a standout hit among attendees. Students could sign up to perform both covers and original works, and participants’ stunning vocals and exceptional guitar skills captivated an impressively large audience. Many performances were followed by raucous applause and eager demands for “one more song!”
“We’ve been doing this event for a few years, and it keeps developing each year into something new,” said Kaitlyn Nigborowicz, the concert chair of SUBOG’s concert committee. “I think the partnership really helps because more people come in and stay and participate. I liked the relaxed atmosphere that allows people to come, do homework and watch the performances. It’s evolved into an established event, which I really like.”
Attendees were able to enjoy free drinks and baked goods from The Beanery while watching.
Heading upstairs, attendees could explore the museum’s galleries and partake in activities scattered throughout. In contrast to the lively atmosphere below, the upstairs galleries were quiet, inviting contemplation of the striking pieces of art.
One activity offered was an optional scavenger hunt, which required attendees to find around 20 items within the exhibitions based on one-to-three-word descriptions. While there was no reward for the hunt, it encouraged students to engage more deeply in the art, as finding all items required careful observation of each piece.
Also enjoying the innovative art were SHaW therapy dogs Maui and Andy, who sat among the exhibits and received many loving pets from students and families.
Craft tables were set up in the final gallery room as well as the library booth, which offered a collection of fiction books from Homer Babbidge to borrow, and the live DJ from WHUS, who played an assortment of calming classical tunes to immerse audiences in the artsy feel of the Benton.
At the tables, attendees could color (or decorate with pom-poms or feathers) custom illustrations of tarot cards, drawn by students currently enrolled in Christina Corey’s Topics in Illustration class. These illustrations were inspired by the exhibition “Fate and Magic: The Art of Maureen McCabe.” There were several illustrations to choose from, each with a unique, thought-provoking subject like a grandiose tree lifting the world, a mystical dragon conquering a temple or a magical woman.
If there’s one thing the Benton excels at, it’s uniting the UConn student body in a safe, comfortable environment. The craft room provided a space for diverse expressions of creativity and reflection on the exhibitions, but also a tranquil place to connect with peers and unwind. As students sat and meticulously colored these intricate designs, they chatted among themselves and shared their art.
“I always enjoy coming to the Benton events,” said Anabelle Redline, a third-semester design and technical theatre student. “It gives me a chance to do some fun and creative activities during a busy week.”
Attendees were able to collect a complementary Benton pencil and sticker. The museum store also offered a 20% discount on all other merchandise.
The Benton’s next First Thursday Open House will be on Thursday, Dec. 4.