Lisa Graziose Corrin The Ellen Philips Katz Executive Director | Block Museum of Art
Lisa Graziose Corrin The Ellen Philips Katz Executive Director | Block Museum of Art
This September, The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University will introduce "The Living Room," a new initiative designed to offer visitors a unique way to engage with art. The program is set to run throughout the fall and winter quarters, providing a space for reflection and connection centered around one artwork each month.
"The Living Room" aims to create a comfortable environment where visitors can relax with a cup of coffee while focusing on a single piece from the museum's collection. This initiative encourages close examination and curiosity, featuring prompts and activities developed by The Block Museum Student Associates, who are undergraduate advisors and ambassadors for the museum.
Erin Northington, Susan and Stephen Wilson Associate Director of Campus and Community Education and Engagement, explained the purpose of this initiative: “The Living Room invites students into the museum in a way that feels personal, flexible, and low-pressure. By focusing on just one artwork at a time, we encourage close looking and build space for reflection and dialogue to unfold naturally.”
The gallery includes two main experiences: the Look Close wall that promotes visual exploration through prompts and sketching, and the See Far wall where visitors can take home activity postcards related to broader questions about art's impact on understanding oneself or the world.
Lisa Corrin, Ellen Philips Katz Executive Director, highlighted the broader vision behind "The Living Room": “The Living Room embodies The Block’s vision to be a space that connects students across Northwestern. It encourages students to see the museum as a place for ideas, inquiry, and belonging—not just during class but throughout their time at the university.”
Visitors can enjoy weekly coffee hours every Wednesday from 3–5 PM without needing an RSVP. Each month will feature different artworks such as Igshaan Adams' "Klip Gooi, Stone Throw III," Ken Fandell's "The Sky Above My Home," and Dyani White Hawk's "They Gifted (Day)" alongside its counterpart "They Gifted (Night)."
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