The Museum of Fine Arts looms over Beach Drive, beckoning the many passers-by to explore. Its seemingly impregnable walls cradle a “cascade of relics” from one-in-a-thousand ancient Greek treasures to some of the most formidable names in art—Monet, O’Keefe, Wiley.

     Rather than surly guards or turtlenecked academics, visitors find a hodgepodge of genuine people, passionate about helping young people appreciate the arts. 

     On Thursday nights from 6–7 p.m., this mission is clear: doors swing open, entreating Shorecrest students to spare an hour of their time. The Art History club at Shorecrest Preparatory School brings interested students to all-expenses-paid weekly lectures at the MFA. 

     Lectures may be an antagonizing term, these are “really fun events, just a great way to spend time with friends, talk to cool people and learn something cool,” said sophomore Caleb Williams. These one hour “events” cover topics from living artists, as seen in their frequent Artist Talks, and even the sciences. 

     “Every talk has been very different and will introduce something I hadn’t thought of before. But it’s never really boring, which is kind of surprising,” said Williams. 

     Perhaps the most attractive aspect for ambitious students is the “networking opportunities,” said Art History Club co-president junior Josilynn Hart, “I’ve made contact with some really inspiring artists and big faces in the Museum Field, which is important to me as an aspiring artist and possible art history major.” Williams agrees, stating he has “been able to talk to interesting people, maybe I’ll be able to connect with them in the future when I look for internships or jobs.” 

     The MFA wishes to “reach out to teens,” and “create an environment where people feel like they can come and appreciate art regardless of education, or knowledge or whatever,” said MFA Education Specialist Ivy Bealyer. 

     These adults are so eager to help and enrich high schoolers because they will “be running these places soon… someone needs to take up the torch,” said an MFA docent.

     So, mount those cement steps, swing through the doors, and fall into a world of enrichment and opportunity. Perhaps, first at the upcoming Art Talk by Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A.) at the MFA this Saturday, November 18, at 11 a.m. Alvarez creates artwork across mediums—paintings, videos, performances, etc.—in order to examine and criticize different components of belief systems. Whether you’re an artist or not, the MFA provides a wonderful way to connect with the local community.