By Susan Torres
Over 1,500 students from the Boston area showed up at the Museum of Fine Arts Thursday night for a free College Night featuring free admission to an exhibition of Ansel Adams photography, a screening of the film “Coffee and Cigarettes” and a concert by the Mountain Goats. The theme, Black and White Through the Night, was meant to encompass Adams’ classic photography and the film’s equal lack of color.
“The goal of College Night was to create a fun event for students to be introduced to all that the museum has to offer, from our spectacular exhibitions to our film and concert programs,” event organizer Whitney Riepe said. “We planned the event in conjunction with the Ansel Adams exhibition, which we felt would appeal to students. Ansel Adams is a household name.”
Along with the exhibit, students could also get free food in the coffee lounge, enter raffles for prizes, watch a late-night screening of the black and white film “Coffee and Cigarettes” and a select few got tickets to see the band The Mountain Goats.
The Mountain Goats are one of six featured artists at the museum this fall as part of its Indie Rock Music series. While getting free Oreos and coffee in the lounge, students could hear the bass from the concert and feel the vibrations on the floor.
Students mingled in the lounge, which was set up on the second floor, before entering the Adams exhibit. Adding whipped cream to their hot chocolate, many laughed with friends in the cozy atmosphere.
Riepe explained that although most colleges get into the museum for free, many do not take advantage of their discount. She said they felt the special events would bring more students out.
“My friend from Wellesley called when she was coming to town and said we could get in for free,” said Julian Saporiti, a sophomore composition major at Berklee College of Music. “I’ve been wanting to see the exhibit so I thought this would be a good chance. I’m also familiar with [Adams] and his photography.”
The Adams exhibit, which is at the museum until Dec. 31, was free to students. Riepe said this is very rare. Even though students get into the museum for free, special exhibits usually cost extra, especially one as well known as Adams.
“I thought it was pretty well done, the way they did it,” Saporiti said about the exhibit. “I liked how it was chronological and you could see technologically how he developed. It was pretty insightful.”
Jim Jarmusch’s movie “Coffee and Cigarettes” was also free to students. The organizers felt this movie would fit in nicely with the overall concept of the night.
“We chose ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ because it is a series of short black-and-white segments that students could enjoy while walking in and out of the theatre,” Riepe said.
Northeastern middler political science major Cate Johnson said she had plenty of reason to swing by the MFA for the event.
“My friend told me about it and I also just love museums,” Johnson said. “My family also has some Ansel Adams prints at our house.”
Adams’ most well-known work was done at Yosemite National Park and southern California. The exhibit also had some of his lesser known work from other national parks, ranging from Alaska to Texas.
“It’s very extensive,” said Laura Demars, a Boston University graduate student majoring in print journalism. “I was impressed by the size and variety of work they had.”
Even those who weren’t familiar with his work were impressed with the exhibit and the photographs. James Partridge, a freshman political science major, had never seen Adams’ work before.
“I thought the exhibit was very good,” Partridge said. “A lot of the subjects were very moving. Some of the pictures he took of just people or small towns show a simpler way of life.”
The Adams exhibit will remain at the MFA through the rest of the 2005 and is still free for Northeastern students apart from College Night at the museum’s Gund Gallery.
