It’s not everyday that Baltimoreans have an excuse to whip out their red carpet attire, but the BMA’s 100-year anniversary gala certainly gave them cause to do so. The gala and following party of the century debuted the opening of The Historic Merrick Entrance, American Art Galleries, and the Zamoiski East Entrance which were part of the museum’s $28 million phased renovation aimed at improving visitor experience.

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The sold-out gala drew a diverse audience ranging widely to include board members, artists, collectors, and community members all co-mingling, dressed in their finest black tie garb within the same space. For a community often defined and empowered by fringe and kitsch culture, floor length gowns and neatly pressed bowties were spectacles in and of themselves. Yet the BMA did not disappoint, with performances by Baltimore’s Labbodies, Pixilated, and Wham City Lights, intriguingly bringing contemporary art practices within the context of the museum’s historic collection of American art.

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The scene was at any moment somewhere between seemingly riotous to overtly refined, capturing the curious attention of attendees as they turned each corner of the museum’s newly unveiled galleries. The juxtaposition felt awkward at times, but largely welcoming—perhaps a good sign for the museum that, despite having boasted free admission to the public since 2006, has increased its efforts to make the BMA a welcoming and engaging experience.

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The BMA, which features 90,000 works of art from 9th-century, modern, to contemporary art, has further plans as part of a $28 million capital renovation to create new imaginative and dynamic displays for the African and Asian art collections which is set to conclude in April 2015. The museum is also creating a new learning and creativity center which is set to be finished in the fall of 2015.

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