Participation Nation: Art Invites Input at Contemporary Museum

Opens Sunday, January 17, 2010 through April 2010

@

The Contemporary Museum
100 West Centre Street
Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon Cultural District

The Contemporary Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Year-Long Project 20 Exhibition
Museum Invites International Artists to Present Future Vision of Contemporary Art

The Contemporary Museum will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010 by inviting 20 national and international artists to participate in Project 20, a year-long series of exhibitions, performances, and newly-commissioned site-specific projects, announced museum Executive Director Irene Hofmann. Each of the artists participating in Project 20 was selected by one of 20 guest curators who each played a significant role in shaping the Contemporary Museum’s history, including past directors, curators, and artists.

Project 20 will begin on Sunday, January 17, 2010 with Participation Nation: Art Invites Input, an exhibition featuring three artists and artist collaboratives whose works invite museum visitors and community members to contribute content. Participation Nation is an interactive exhibition experience with new works by Finishing School (Los Angeles), Neighborhood Public Radio (Albuquerque, Chicago, San Francisco), and Lee Mingwei (New York).
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Winter Party
A Progressive Celebration
Saturday, January 16, 7 – 11 p.m.
 
Contemporary Museum and Peabody Court Hotel
starting at 100 West Centre Street
Baltimore, MD

The Contemporary Museum will celebrate the opening of Participation Nation: Art Invites Input at its annual Winter Party, beginning at the museum and concluding at the rooftop ballroom of the Peabody Court Hotel. The event will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 7-11 p.m.

Beginning at 7 p.m. at the museum, guests will preview the site-specific installations created for Participation Nation, the first in a series of exhibitions celebrating the museum’s 20th anniversary. The three-part exhibition explores collaboration between three international artists - Lee Mingwei, and artist collaboratives Finishing School and Neighborhood Public Radio -  and Baltimore residents. Guests will meet the artists while enjoying themed cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.

At 8:30 p.m. the party will continue at the Peabody Court Hotel, located around the corner from the museum, with artist performances, dancing, a silent auction, and a Mediterranean hors d’oeuvres bar.

Advanced tickets to Winter Party are $60 for Contemporary members and $75 for non-members, and can be purchased by calling 410-783-5720. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $80.

Proceeds from Winter Party support Contemporary Museum exhibitions and programs.

For more information about the Contemporary Museum, visit www.contemporary.org.