August 25, 2014
BMA Launches 100-Day Celebration to Commemorate Milestone Anniversary
Events include reopenings of the renovated East Wing, BMA Shop, and American Wing
BALTIMORE, MD (UPDATED October 7, 2014)—The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is commemorating its 100th anniversary from September 23 through December 31 with 100 days of events and activities that celebrate the museum’s distinguished legacy, world-renowned collection, and exciting future.
The highlight of the 100 Day Celebration is without a doubt the greatly anticipated American Wing Opening Celebration on Sunday, November 23, when the museum’s historic Merrick Entrance reopens to the public for the first time in 32 years. Inside, visitors will experience the dramatic reinstallation of the Dorothy McIlvain Scott Wing, where more than 850 paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the BMA’s renowned American collection will enrich the galleries once again.
100 Day Celebration Events
- BMA Voices (September 23 – December 31) – The BMA’s curators, conservators, and registrars will provide an insider’s look at one artwork every day on blog.artbma.org —highlighting some favorite, amusing, unusual, and obscure objects.
- BMA Art Question of the Week (September 23 – December 31) – Listen to WYPR 88.1 FM to test your knowledge of the BMA. A new question will be announced every week and winners will receive a $20 gift card to the New BMA Shop or a behind-the-scenes tour.
- BMA Big Thinkers (September 23 – December 31) – Tell us what you think! The BMA is partnering with STQRY to launch a new app that allows people to quickly share their favorite memories, ideas for the future, and questions for the BMA. Responses will be posted on blog.artbma.org.
- Chocolate Bar Contest (September 23 – October 15) – Tell us what ingredients would best represent the BMA if it was a chocolate bar. Local chocolatier Mark Coulbourne from A Dream of Chocolate will produce the winning recipe for the New BMA Shop. Recipes must be submitted to shop@artbma.org or BMA Shop Recipe Contest, 10 Museum Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218 by October 15 to qualify.
- New BMA Shop (November 1) – The popular BMA Shop will reopen with a fresh new look and a wonderful array of jewelry and gifts by talented craftspeople. Look for exclusive new merchandise inspired by the American art collection and a new catalogue of the BMA’s collection!
- Build a Giant Birthday Cake Sculpture (Sundays, November 2, 9, 16) – During Free Family Sundays in November a giant birthday cake will be built using everyday objects. This fanciful creation will be unveiled at the American Wing Opening Celebration on Sunday, November 23.
- 100th Anniversary Gala (November 15, 6 p.m. – midnight) – SOLD-OUT – The most glamorous event of the museum’s centennial celebrates the dazzling new presentation of American art with lavish decorations, music, and a sumptuous dinner. Call Sally Ruppert at 443-573-1806 if you would like to be on the waiting list for tickets.
- Party of the Century (November 15, 8:30 p.m. – midnight) – SOLD-OUT – Rock the BMA into the next century with style! Join us for dancing, specialty drinks, birthday cake, art activities, and a few surprises. Tickets on sale at artbma.org/100 beginning September 2. Call Sally Ruppert at 443-573-1806 if you would like to be on the waiting list for tickets.
- BMA 200 Time Capsule (November 16, 2 p.m.) – Join us for the opening of a time capsule thatwas placed in the cornerstone of the East Wing in 1982. After examining contents from 32 years ago, help create and install a new time capsule to be opened in 2114.
- People’s Choice Vote for Your Favorite Work of Art (November 21–December 31) – Vote for your favorite work of art in the collection. Visit the BMA onsite or online between Friday, November 21 and Sunday, December 21 to choose your three favorite works of art from the collection. The top 10 will be revealed in a countdown with the winner revealed on December 31.
- American Wing Opening Celebration (Sunday, November 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) – Enjoy the newly reopened historic entrance and beautifully renovated American art galleries during this day-long event with musical performances by Brooks Long and other guests; artist demonstrations of clock making, silver engraving, and paper silhouettes; art making activities; storytelling; gallery conversations; a ribbon cutting; and birthday treats!
About the Baltimore Museum of Art
Founded in 1914, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) inspires people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, programs, and collections that tell an expansive story of art—challenging long-held narratives and embracing new voices. Our outstanding collection of more than 97,000 objects spans many eras and cultures and includes the world’s largest public holding of works by Henri Matisse; one of the nation’s finest collections of prints, drawings, and photographs; and a rapidly growing number of works by contemporary artists of diverse backgrounds. The museum is also distinguished by a neoclassical building designed by American architect John Russell Pope and two beautifully landscaped gardens featuring an array of modern and contemporary sculpture. The BMA is located three miles north of the Inner Harbor, adjacent to the main campus of Johns Hopkins University, and has a community branch at Lexington Market. General admission is free so that everyone can enjoy the power of art.
Press Contacts
For media in Baltimore:
Anne Brown
Baltimore Museum of Art
Senior Director of Communications
abrown@artbma.org
410-274-9907
Sarah Pedroni
Baltimore Museum of Art
Communications Manager
spedroni@artbma.org
410-428-4668
Alina Sumajin
PAVE Communications
alina@paveconsult.com
646-369-2050