Best opening night parties - Public Functionary - 2014 Best of MN

Walking into an art opening in this year-old Northeast gallery, you get a sense of both intimacy and fluidity. The environment is transformed each time into a completely different world — decadent walls tricked out in red-shag carpeting and gold-stenciled paper, a white-on-white glacier cave, a magical playland with swings and cascading lights suspended from the ceiling. Named for an old-fashioned moniker President James Buchanan used to describe himself, the space has a vibe that also projects a literal meaning of the phrase "public functionary." Director Tricia Khutoretsky's grand vision is to "deliver ever-changing, unexpected experiences and appeal to a broad audience, not just the art in-crowd." She's succeeding: At a recent Jennifer Davis event, the crowd ranged from 80-somethings to toddlers, their attire from sensible cardigans to silver-lamé knee boots, their energy universally mellow and comfortable. 1400 12th Av. NE., Mpls.; 612-238-9523; publicfunctionary.org