Artoberfest offers attendees the chance to eat, drink and be merry at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) plus tour the museum’s two newest exhibits, “Manet: Portraying Life” and “Made in Hollywood.”

Sponsored by Circle 2445, Artoberfest is designed to draw a younger crowd to the museum, said Circle 2445 board member Lisa Reyerse.

Attendees at last year's Artoberfest at the Toledo Museum of Art. Photo by Christina Shapiro/Courtesy Toledo.com

“We want to make the museum a destination for the 24 to 45 age range, so it’s something in their minds to do on a Friday night,” Reyerse said.

Circle 2445 is  a group of young professionals who organize special events at the museum and act as ambassadors for TMA. The name comes from the museum’s address, 2445 Monroe St., but also represents the age range of people the museum wants to attract, said TMA director of communications Kelly Fritz Garrow.

“No one is going to get carded and turned away at the door, but it’s definitely a little bit younger crowd than what comes to our traditional major donor events,” Garrow said of Artoberfest. “We’re trying to engage with the Generation X and Millennial generations.”

Artoberfest is set for 6-10 p.m. Oct. 18 in Libbey Court. Advance tickets are $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Tickets at the door are $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.

Last year’s inaugural event, which drew about 250 people, had a German feel, Garrow said. This year’s event will be more Franco-German, said Jackie Tussing, TMA development officer for special projects.

“This year we’re doing German with a little French twist,” Tussing said. “That will be the inspiration for the food.”

Besides Franco-German hors d’oeuvres, Heidelberg Distributing will offer tasting tables featuring German and French beers and wines. Local folk band Jack & the Bear will perform. There will also be a raffle for “Manet” and “Made in Hollywood” merchandise, a silent auction for glassware made by Glass Studio Manager Jeff Mack and a cash bar.

Attendees at last year's Artoberfest at the Toledo Museum of Art. Photo by Christina Shapiro/Courtesy Toledo.com

The event will not include the scavenger hunt or flashlight tour it did last year, because organizers want to keep the focus on the exhibitions.

“It’s going to be a really good opportunity for people to get in and see ‘Manet’ and ‘Made in Hollywood’ without having to fight the crowds,” Garrow said. “Manet in particular is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These paintings are from around the world. You literally would have to travel for months, from Tokyo to Budapest to Paris to Belgium, to see all these paintings. It’s something we want this generation to understand — that the museum is here every week putting on great events, but once in a while, there’s kind of a can’t-miss type thing and Manet is that thing.”

Tussing said she hopes the event is well-attended and people have a good time.

“I hope they just have a wonderful time with their friends and view our world-class exhibitions,” Tussing said. “I’m not sure if people understand what a big deal Manet is. It’s going to be great.”

For more information or to reserve tickets, call (419) 255-8000, Ext. 7432, or visit toledomuseum.org/events/circle2445.

Tags: Artoberfest, Made in Hollywood, Manet, Toledo Museum of Art

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 at 3:45 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Exhibits, Galleries.
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