$5 Third Thursdays at the MFA

Make the MFA your Thursday night destination! On the third Thursday of every month, enjoy the Museum after dark with $5 admission from 5 to 10 pm. Explore the galleries, join hands-on art-making, shop unique finds, and grab drinks and a bite to eat. Every month brings something new! From community celebrations to live performances, there are plenty of reasons to gather with friends, meet new ones, or escape with art at the MFA. What’s on View Make the most of your Thursday evening—wander the collection galleries, visit old favorites, and discover something new. Celebrate spring with the major exhibition “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination.” Events and Activities Spotlight Talk: Gardens and Gardeners 6 and 7 pm Gund Gallery, LG31 Discover the often unseen labor that goes into creating gardens. Looking at 20th-century photographs on view in the exhibition “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination,” learn about the people whose work has brought gardens to life and sustained them through changing seasons. With Karen Haas, Lane Senior Curator of Photographs. Sound Bites: Gregory Groover Jr. 6–6:45 and 7:15–8 pm Gallery 168 Join tenor saxophonist Gregory Groover Jr. as he celebrates the release of his album Old Knew (Criss Cross Jazz, 2025). Groover performs original new music alongside a stellar cast of musicians, including Joel Ross, Paul Cornish, Harish Raghavan, and Kendrick Scott. Drawing in the Galleries: Gardens and Nature 6–8 pm (last entry 7:45 pm) Gallery 255 Drop in to sketch works of art in the galleries! Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or picking up a pencil for the very first time, all ages and skill levels are welcome to join. Museum educators are available to help you get started and offer tips and suggestions along the way—just bring your creativity! All drawing materials are provided. Nick Shea Pop-Up 6–9 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard Local artist Nick Shea, best known for his pop-ups on the Boston Common, joins us to draw his signature index-card portraits! Portraits are drawn on a first-come, first-served basis. The line opens at 5 pm—we recommend getting there early to guarantee a spot! Spotlight Talks: Student Perspectives Meet at Sharf Visitor Center Explore a work of art for 15 minutes with MFA Ambassadors, members of a program for local university students with a passion for art. August Coleman, “Battleship Kate” tattooed trade figure (about 1935) 6:30–6:45 pm Presented by Gina D’Itria, Suffolk University Fernando Botero, Venus (1977–78) 7:30–7:45 pm Presented by Logan Phesay, Massachusetts College of Art and Design Frank Duveneck and Clement John Barnhorn, Tomb Effigy of Elizabeth Boott Duveneck (1894) 8:30–8:45 pm Presented by by Catherine Stewart, Boston University Xandra Ibarra: Nude Laughing 8–9 pm Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art, Level 2 In conjunction with the exhibition “Subvert, Repair, Reclaim: Contemporary Artists Take Back the Nude,” experience a performance by arti...