The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art welcomed students back to Auburn with an after-hours open house Thursday.
"Third Thursday Late Nights" has been a monthly feature of the museum since it opened in 2003, according to Scott Bishop, curator of education for adult programs at the museum. Past events have included lectures, movies and special exhibits.
This month's Third Thursday Late Night focused on encouraging student involvement with the museum. Admission to the museum is free, but becoming a member offers students additional benefits.
Students had the opportunity to sign up for a free membership to the museum, and those who did received free T-shirts. Community members could join at a discounted rate.
"I wanted to become a member," said Ansley Norman, sophomore in hotel and restaurant management. "I missed out on that last year."
Norman, who grew up in Auburn, said she has been to the museum before to see the John James Audubon exhibit.
The museum benefits the community by offering students the opportunity to see art firsthand, not digitally, and reap all the educational benefits, Bishop said.
Some students are doing just that. Holly Elkins, a sophomore at the University of Montevallo, is from Auburn and came to visit the museum to see the artwork with her friends.
Amelia Cox, sophomore in anthropology, said a museum is a valuable commodity to the community because it introduces other generations to art.
"If they're not in an art class in high school like we were, they can at least come to a museum to appreciate art," Cox said.
The museum is affiliated with Auburn University and is the only museum in Alabama connected to a college, Bishop said.
"I encourage students to not only become supporters of the museum, but also faculty to incorporate the museum into their curricula and use it as an educational resource," Bishop said.
Students, faculty and other community members enjoyed a variety of activities at this month's Third Thursday Late Night. The "Welcome Back Celebration" included open access to the museum's current art exhibits, music on the terrace from local group Dooley Blue Revue, refreshments from Ursula's Catering and the opportunity to visit the museum's gift shop.
Rebecca Freeman, senior in history and art history minor, said she has been to the museum many times.
As a member of Studio 5, Auburn University's student organization for those interested in art, Freeman believes, "art museums are for everyone, whether they enjoy art or not.
"There is always something that someone can find relatable to them from the piece, whether the subject, the aesthetics of it or the artist's life."
Freeman said her favorite exhibit at the museum is the Old Master Drawings, which are currently on loan from the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla. They will be the lecture topic for September's Third Thursday Late Night.
Students looking to be more engaged in the museum activities can do so by becoming a member.
Membership includes e-mails about upcoming exhibition openings and other events, Bishop said.
Students can support the museum by taking advantage of what is offered and learning to support arts in general, Bishop said.
"Give a museum a try," Freeman said. "Rarely does anyone walk out of a museum without having enjoyed a little bit of it."
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