![Fashionistas and art-lovers to the Italian Style: Preview Party were able to catch a sneak peak of the first major Italian fashion exhibition and mingle among masterpieces at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts after dark. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE)](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XDMEFYBQTSZATQMFYHTZGBBANA.jpg?&w=1080)
Fashionistas attended a preview of the Italian Style show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Photo by Bre McGee.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts plans to stay open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights starting February 20. It has been open until 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings for years, so the addition of Friday doubles its evening availability. It is now open until 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Admission is always free.
In the past year the museum jazzed up its Thursday evening programming by featuring local bands, craft beer, games, retro fun, and exhibition-themed events like a fashion show that accompanied the recent "Italian Style," exhibition of post WWII Italian clothing on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
"Thursday's programming will remain lively and very participatory while Fridays will have more of an art opening theme," said Anne-Marie Wagener, the museum's director of press and public relations.
Hours starting February 20: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S. 612-870-3000 or www.artsmia.org
