Now in its seventh year, Art After Dark integrates various art forms on the museum grounds, introduces children to MMoA’s programming, and provides regional artists a forum to showcase their work. Weather permitting, the event is held on the MMoA patio. October’s Art After Dark will be held from 6-8:30pm on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

The October Art After Dark features live music by noted drummer Ian Kelly and his group, The Packer Trio, who will be joined by guest musicians. In addition, the event will feature live art by nationally acclaimed maritime painter Russ Kramer and balloon art provided by April Brunelle.

Mystic will be ‘painting the town pink’ in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF). In tribute to this wonderful cause, MMoA is getting into the pink!

Mystic Knotwork will be in attendance making free pink rope bracelets; Real McCoy Rum is offering a specialty pink cocktail; Sails Up 4 Cancer – with Nancy Baratko – are offering delicious pink cupcakes and Sails Up 4 Cancer – with Adam’s Garden of Eden and offering white pumpkins which can be painted pink! All proceeds raised from these special, one-time only offers will go to TBBCF.

Mixing originals and covers, The Packer Trio features the core members of the group who have been playing Capt. Daniel Packer Inn every Thursday for the past 17 years. Drummer Ian Kelly is familiar from many performances in other bands as well, including the Marcy Kelly Trio and, most recently, the open jazz group The Noble Experiment with bassist Tom Latawiec and drummer Nick Toscano.

Russ Kramer, F, ASMA, is widely regarded to be among the country’s leading marine artists. His large-scale studio paintings create ‘first-hand’ experiences for the viewer, putting you right on board during some of history’s greatest yacht races or turn-of-the-century luxury vessels. A sense of the dramatic moment, combined with meticulous research and attention to detail, have found considerable appeal and sell quickly into private and corporate collections. His works are unique and immediately recognizable, combining narrative, historical, figurative and maritime disciplines. Russ has been the subject of a one-man show at the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island, appeared in Wooden Boat, Yachting, and Sail magazines. He is a Fellow and serves as the current President of the American Society of Marine Artists. He has won multiple awards at the Mystic International Marine Art Exhibition, including the prestigious Yachting Award. He is represented by the Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, the J. Russell Jinishian Gallery in Fairfield, CT and the ICON Gallery in Alexandria, VA. Russ lives and works in Mystic.

April Brunelle didn’t get started with balloon art until 2010 but she quickly found she had a natural talent for it and it grew into a passion she couldn’t ignore. The joy of being able to tap into her creative and artistic side and seeing people’s reactions to her sculptures is  beyond fulfilling. With the popularity of Balloon Art rising she decided it was a sign to burst out into the public eye and bring joy to others through this wonderful and exciting art form. She has twisted for many Art After Dark events.

Admission is $12 MMoA members; $15 non-members; $3, children ages 4-12; and, free for children three and under. Season passes are also available: $60 MMoA members; $75 non-members.

During the event, MMoA galleries remain open to view current exhibitions: Photo Show 39 and John Boone: Pairs.

Art After Dark sponsors include: ABC PhotoLab, Adam’s Garden of Eden, A Greener Perspective, Capt. Daniel Packer Inne, CMB Creative Group, Coca-Cola, Cottrell Brewing Co., Dogwatch Café, Hosmer Mountain Beverages, A Greener Perspective, Market Realty, Mystic Knotwork, Mystic Shipyard, Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association, Noank Village Boatyard, Pizzetta, Sails Up 4 Cancer, and The Real McCoy Rum.