TMA hosts Libbey Picnic, Aug. 30

Toledo Museum of Art founders Florence and Edward Drummond Libbey would often stroll over to the Museum on Sunday afternoons to enjoy concerts and meet with friends.

On Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, the Museum will turn back the clock by hosting an old-fashioned picnic to celebrate the culmination of the community art project Art on the Line. The Libbey Picnic will be held from 12:30 – 4 p.m. at the Museum on the grounds of the Glass Pavilion. There will be free admission, free activities and free entertainment as well as two silent auctions.

Museum staff and volunteers will set the stage by dressing in period clothing from 1901 to 1930 on loan from the University of Toledo and Toledo Rep costume shops. Picnic-goers are encouraged to dress in vintage clothing as well.

Entertainment will include storytelling by Will Clay, performances by the Streetwise Barbershop Quartet, balloon twisting and magic by Eli Echevarria, and “vintage” ballroom dancing demonstrations and lessons.

Visitors can take part in three-legged sack races, play lawn games, or learn how to make a kite, a pinwheel or a hat. For the younger set, there will be face painting and bubbles. And those of every age can enjoy a display of historic vehicles that will include a 1917 Milton electric car manufactured in Toledo. (The vintage car display is dependent upon fair weather.)

In addition to 25-cent hot dogs for everyone, there will be free ice cream and cake for Museum members. Pre-ordered boxed picnic lunches ($18 for couples; $36 for families of four) also will be available. Call 419-255-8000, ext. 7432 no later than Aug. 23 for menu details and to place an order.

A separate silent auction will feature picnic baskets made especially for the event by the Museum Ambassadors. Proceeds from both silent auctions will help support future Museum art education programming.