“Bank of the Oise at Auvers” by Vincent van Gogh

Grace Brennan | Collegian

Live jazz echoed through every room, immersing the visitors of the museum into the art. Getting even more involved in the art, some sat on wooden benches called “horses” where they used drawing material provided for them, or their own, to draw copies of famous paintings and sculptures.

The Student Activities Board took 26 students to the Detroit Institute of Arts museum on Feb. 28 to experience the drawing and live music events going on that night.

Ingrid Dornbirer ’24, director of student activities, said the event was a fun way for students to leave campus. 

“It’s fun for students to be on their own time and have their own pace around the museum as well as finding a night where some events are happening,” Dornbirer said. 

Dornbirer said she loved the museum’s drawing, which allowed visitors to draw DIA art.

“There are tons of people sitting on their drawing horses and sketching, kind of in their own world, and I think that’s fun to see that they’re participating in the art with the famous artists,” Dornbirer said. 

Along with personal drawings, the band Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few performed live jazz music in the Rivera Court, the interior court of the museum which is surrounded by large murals by Diego Rivera.

Junior Jake Hamilton said this was his first trip to the DIA. According to Hamilton, he has been to art museums in Italy and the Netherlands and yet had never heard music inside an art museum. 

“I don’t think it detracts at all from there being paintings and sculptures. If anything, it adds to it,” Hamilton said. 

Freshman Zoe Katsaros said this was her first time at the DIA and the live music added to her experience. 

“It’s interesting to see the silence of all the paintings, but then the hustle and bustle of all the people that are here for the music event,” Katsaros said. “To see those two things in contrast is really fun and exciting.”

Freshman Fara Newell said Thomas Cole’s “Sunset on the Arno” was one of her favorite pieces.

“Thomas Cole’s ‘Sunset on the Arno’ is a lovely example of his ability to illustrate landscapes with impressive life and emotion. The serenity of the river at sunset causes the viewer to feel as though they were in such a calming scene,” Newell said.

Sophomore Gabe Bileca, who has been to the DIA before, said coming this time with the additional events was a new and moving experience. 

“It’s a little bit of a frenzied vibe because we’re here for a limited time, so we’re trying to see everything we can see,” Bileca said. “But at the same time, it’s this raw emotional experience that’s putting you in the mood to look at these art pieces and just absorb as much of the original artist’s vision as you can and let it move you whatever way it may.” 

Sophomore Claire McNeil, member of the SAB board, said the trip was easy to plan and she enjoyed her time at the DIA. 

“I love the diversity of all the arts here, the music, paintings, pottery, and stained glass,” McNeil said. 

According to McNeil, because of the success of the trip, SAB will be planning a similar event sometime in the future.

 “We had an awesome turn out with a long list of people,” McNeil said. “I definitely think this is one we’ll bring back in the future.”