(Photos: Yoly Gonzalez Miller)
The Akron Art Museum has introduced what can only be described as the the best third-date experience ever: Throwback Thursdays.
The premise is simple: grab a friend, enjoy a cocktail and make something beautiful while having fun. The something beautiful was a friendship bracelet. The friend was the third-date worthy person, and the fun came in the form of conversations held across the table and across the room.
The effervescent personality of the instructor, Jennifer Davis, was perfect for this kind of gathering. Davis, a PreK-12 Visual Arts educator and studio instructor at smARTStudio, led us gently through the process of learning how to knot and weave. Davis effectively worked her way around the room ensuring each and every one of her students had her individual attention and help.
She made you feel like you were with an old friend in a room full of possibilities. This buoyed everyone’s spirits and gave us confidence in our new skill.
Walking through the galleries late at night, in the middle of winter, was the equivalent of walking through a moonlit garden in mid-summer. The beauty is in its simplicity.
First dates can be awkward; one does not want to be on display while being awkward. Second dates tend to be more relaxed, but everyone is still on their best behavior. There is comfort in familiarity, and nothing is more comfortable than going to a favorite hangout and greeting a friend or two while out. It feels good to be able to show the person you are with, the one that shows some potential for a third date, that you are a nice, likable human.
Getting to the third date means you want to know more about that person than simply what they want to tell you. You want to see what kind of temperament they have, how they respond to stress, and how they treat others when they think you aren’t watching. The third date is often the turning point of many relationships.
Having the opportunity to watch someone learn something new is one of the best ways to get to know them. You get to see them become frustrated or elated as they use their hands to create something tangible. With so much of what they like or hate around them you can start to know them more intimately by how they appreciate beauty and nature in a well curated setting.
The Throwback Thursday at the Akron Art Museum was on point: a table to sit at, a drink to share, an opportunity to be productive and great conversations about childhood, dating, art and life all wrapped up in a beautiful place dedicated to highlighting interesting and thought-provoking art.
The Akron Art Museum is located at 1 S. High St. in downtown Akron. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 pm (free admission all day).
The next Throwback Thursdays event will be on Macrame Inspired by Neo Geo on March 17, 7 to 9 p.m. For more info, click here.
