Boca Raton Museum Of Art Offers Free Admission In July

Calling all culture vultures: Set aside some time this July to visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art. With the exciting activities going on there, you’ll thank us. Did we mention it’s free?

That’s because National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $80 million in grants as part of the endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2019. Included in this is a grant of $35,000 to the Boca Raton Museum of Art for the exhibition “Maren Hassinger: Tree of Knowledge.”

“These awards, reaching every corner of the United States, are a testament to the artistic richness and diversity in our country,” said Carter, according to a press release. “Organizations such as the Boca Raton Museum of Art are giving people in their community the opportunity to learn, create and be inspired.”

“Tree of Knowledge” will feature a residency with sculptor and performance artist Hassinger, who will create an installation inspired by Boca Raton’s Pearl City neighborhood and the majestic banyan tree that has become a historical marker in this community settled by African-Americans. The artist will work with the public in creating the aerial roots of a vast “Tree of Knowledge” to be installed from the ceiling in the museum’s main gallery. The installation will open Nov. 5.  

From July 2-31, the museum will offer free admission to the public. Families, students, seniors and all members of the community are invited to be a part of this exhibition by creating thousands of 20-foot long “aerial roots” from rolled up, twisted newspapers. These forms will represent the roots that hang from the branches of the banyan tree. They descend and take root in the soil to become new trunks. The public will be hand-making these hanging shapes during community-based storytelling sessions at the museum. Participants’ names will be collected and incorporated into the exhibition.

The Boca Raton Museum of Art is located in Mizner Park, at 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-392-2500 or visit bocamuseum.org.