Join Us for Munson’s First Friday Fall Block Party! Munson will welcome the Utica community to an early-evening fall block party on Friday, Oct. 2, combining live music, hands-on activities and extra time to see a faculty art exhibition.

Join Us for Munson’s First Friday Fall Block Party details below:

The First Friday event will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Sculpture Grove on Munson’s campus at 310 Genesee St. The rain location is Root Court.

Tickets cost $5 for Munson members, $10 for the general public and $5 for students. Pratt Munson students can attend free, according to Munson’s official event page.

Music, art and outdoor activities

The program includes arts and crafts, lawn games and a performance by the Arthur Colmey Box Trio. Organizers are presenting the gathering as a relaxed way for families and friends to begin the weekend while spending time around the outdoor artwork in Sculpture Grove.

“First Friday is a chance to slow down, enjoy the early fall evening, and spend time together at Munson,” Bob Mortis, Munson’s director of Performing Arts, said in the announcement. “With live music, activities, and the Sculpture Grove as the backdrop, it’s an easy way to start the weekend with friends and family.”

The event offers several ways to take part. Visitors can listen to the band, make art, play games or walk through the grove. That mix makes the program accessible to people who may not usually attend a formal museum event or performance.

Final weekend for the faculty exhibition

The block party also falls during the final weekend of the Pratt Munson Faculty Show. The exhibition closes Sunday, Oct. 4, and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. during First Friday.

The free annual show presents work by members of the Pratt Munson faculty in painting, design, sculpture, printmaking, video and other media. The exhibition gives the public a view of the personal art practices that faculty members maintain alongside their teaching.

That connection between teaching and making art is central to the show. Faculty members guide students, but they also continue their own creative work. Visitors can see the range of ideas and methods that those working artists bring to the college community.

A downtown event with broad appeal

Munson sits within walking distance of several downtown and neighborhood destinations. A First Friday program can encourage residents to spend an evening in the area while taking part in a cultural event that does not require a full-day visit.

The block party also gives newcomers a simple introduction to the campus. Guests do not need specialized knowledge of art to enjoy the music, games or outdoor setting. At the same time, the faculty exhibition offers a deeper experience for people who want to explore current work by local educators and artists.

For families, the arts-and-crafts activities can create an entry point for younger visitors. For students, the reduced ticket price and free admission for Pratt Munson students make the evening more affordable. Adults can attend for the performance, gallery access or time with friends.

Planning a visit

The event begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Because the main location is Sculpture Grove, guests should dress for the weather. If conditions require a move indoors, the program will shift to Root Court.

Admission to the Pratt Munson Faculty Show is free. A ticket is required for the block party. The official event listing shows student pricing that was not included in the emailed release, so students should select the correct ticket type when purchasing.

How to get tickets

Tickets and the latest event information are available through Munson’s official First Friday page. The page also confirms the Oct. 2 date, 5 to 7:30 p.m. hours, Sculpture Grove location and Root Court rain plan.

Munson’s First Friday fall block party arrives as the season changes and the faculty exhibition reaches its final days. Together, the outdoor celebration and extended gallery hours offer local residents two experiences in one evening: a casual community gathering and a last opportunity to see the annual faculty show before it closes.

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