Since its inception last year, Night@tritonmuseum has continued to rise in popularity. The event, held quarterly on a Thursday evening, is family friendly, but targets the oft-overlooked 20- and 30-something crowd, and gives emerging and established artists the ability to showcase their work.
On Jan. 15 Night@tritonmuseum returned with the event’s signature artist demonstrations and a few new surprises.
As Mei-Ying Dell’Aquila sketched portraits in the Warburton Gallery, Holly Van Hart gave tours of her show, “Possibilities Abound,” in the Rotunda. While most of the artists created with guests and demonstrated in the Cowell Room (where the museum holds its art classes), Michael Foley painted and David Meija drew caricatures in the Permanent Collection Gallery, which was transformed into an all-new 21 and over lounge where alcoholic drinks were served – like hot cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream and Peppermint Schnapps – a DJ spun vinyl records and games, including a concept developed by the Triton Museum of Art’s Preparator Bryan Callanta called Art Dice, were played.
According to Callanta, the idea came from love dice where two die are rolled to give the player an act and body part. Art Dice had a similar premise. One die had drawings of body parts, while the other had examples of items that would need to be drawn. Each of the two players rolled one die and went head-to-head. With 30 seconds on the clock, they were to use either their left elbow, right elbow, left knee, right knee, any foot or head to draw a cat, flower car, pineapple, house or the dreaded image of “Napoleon Crossing the Alps” by Jacques-Louis David, depending on how the dice landed.
“[It was] fun throwing big dice and drawing with elbows – sometimes knees, feet or your head as well,” said Erica Atreya of San Jose, who thought the game was a great addition to the event.
In addition to Dell’Aquila, Van Hart, Foley and Meija, local artists Alyssa Erin Baker, Vanessa Callanta, Charles Chadwick, Elizabeth Jimenez Montelongo, Laurus Myth, Jojo Perea, Steven Reece, Jason Rose, Ariana Sanchez, Jaya King, Dug Stanat and Freddie Vega participated.
The Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Ave. in Santa Clara, will begin an art history lecture series, “Symbols of Humanity” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Drop in fee is $20. Additionally, the museum will hold a Coffee with the Curator event on Monday, Jan. 26 at 8 a.m. where Chief Curator Preston Metcalf will discuss the future of museums. Fee is $5 for non-members and free for members. Visit www.tritonmuseum.org for more information.