Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of options for weekend leisure, one of the best being “Friday Nights at the GRAM.” The GRAM, or Grand Rapids Art Museum, is an incredible and award-winning art museum located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. I highly recommend making a visit.
Every Friday night, they stay open until 9pm and offer a special evening of programming. It includes live piano music, a cash bar, and a great atmosphere—it’s a fantastic way to unwind and experience great art. It’s also the perfect activity to enjoy before grabbing a nice dinner downtown or strolling through one of the Grand Rapid’s parks.
The museum is housed in an incredible, modern building with high ceilings, natural light, and beautiful hardwood floors. It offers three floors of exhibitions, as well as tours, cultural events, and education outreach programs. It’s also the world’s first LEED Gold Certified art museum. Their collections are wide ranging, and include more than 5,000 objects: they have exhibitions on modern craft and design, as well as 19th and 20th Century painting and sculpture from both America and Europe.
Currently, they are exhibiting “Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820–1950,” which is a collection of 48 works on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The exhibition includes paintings from artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Thomas Cole, and will run until January 12, 2014. And to support the “Masterpieces” exhibition, “Friday Nights at the GRAM” is offering some extra special programming. On November 15, they will host an interactive workshop allowing visitors to create their own 3-D landscape inspired by the paintings. It’s a great chance to see what makes the museum such a hit.
The museum is located at 101 Monroe Center NW. Admission to “Friday Nights at the Gram” is free for members and $5 for nonmembers, and there are several affordable parking garages nearby. For more information and a full list of “Friday Night” activities, visit their website: http://www.artmuseumgr.org/
Whether you’re a Grand Rapids local or just visiting for a weekend, “Friday Nights at the GRAM” should absolutely be on your to-do list.