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Art museums must constantly face the challenge of appealing to broad audiences. However, the Snite Museum’s Third Thursday series aims to break that difficulty.

“We originally envisioned them as a way to connect people with the collections in new and exciting ways,” Sarah Martin, curator of education and public programs at the Snite, says. With a broad range of events, from chocolate tasting and glassblowing to nude figure drawing and jazz concerts, this program exceeds any previous assumptions about art museums.

The Snite keeps its doors open from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. The idea is to have a social event that brings diverse groups together, while also providing an educational aspect. These free events include refreshments and are open to everyone.

“Snite in the Snow” is the festive title of December’s event, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17. There will be ornament-making stations set up in five different galleries. Thematic music playing at each station will relate to the time period or the location of the artwork, and the ornaments will also be inspired by each gallery’s theme.

Martin describes the museum’s vision, as “a little separate from the craziness of the holidays.” She’s hoping that people will add the Snite to their Christmas traditions. Martin foresees that “families [and] people of all ages can come and experience the collection, again, in a holiday-themed way.” 

Whether or not we are actually “in the snow” on Dec. 17, the Snite’s event will be a calming cup of holiday cheer nevertheless. Between the stress of finals and the rush of travel, taking time to admire art, and create some too, can be a beneficial holiday tradition.