Picasso: Tips and Tricks

Seattle Art Museum on Jan 7 2011

There are just 10 days left before Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris closes, and we have the info you need to make your experience with these amazing works of art – and the crowds they’ve attracted – even more … well … amazing!

Here are some tips, tricks and answers to common questions that we hope will help.

BUYING TICKETS:

  • Advanced tickets for Jan 7–9 are sold out. On-site, day-of tickets are available daily, but are expected to sell out quickly. Consider getting a ticket for a weekday, when SAM is open until 9 pm.
  • We cannot confirm day-of availability via phone. We’d love to be able to do this for you; we just don’t have the staff.
  • The best way to get your tickets is to purchase online or at any one of our three sites several days in advance.
  • What are TIMED TICKETS? The tickets you purchase are timed, and you will need to enter the Picasso galleries no more than 20 minutes after your specified time. Once you enter the exhibit you can stay as long as you wish but there is no re-entry into the Picasso galleries once you leave.
  • Right now, the very best time to visit and avoid the crowds (as much as possible) is on weekday evenings after 7 pm. SAM is open until 9 pm or later every day until Picasso closes. (Open to SAM Members only on Monday, January 10.)
  • Find a complete list of SAM extended hours here.
  • There is no line at The Seattle Asian Art Museum – and you can buy your Picasso tickets there. Catch Wang Huaiqing: A Painter’s Painter in Contemporary China while you’re there. It’s a stunningly beautiful exhibition.
  • Planning to buy your tickets on-site on the same day you would like to visit? We sell tickets for specific timeslots, which start selling out early in the day. You can expect to get tickets for a timeslot at least two hours after the time you walk up to the ticket desk. Our best advice is to get here early and be flexible!

 

ONCE YOU’RE HERE:

  • Parking information can be found here. Bus information is here.
  • You can enter the SAM Galleries anytime – you don’t have to wait for your Picasso entry time. Come on in, and look around. There’s a lot to see!
  • You can begin lining up outside the exhibition entrance up 20 minutes before your entry time
  • Listen to or read a transcript of the audio guide ahead of time here and impress your friends with your vast knowledge of the big guy.
  • You can download the audio guide to your own device here, too, and skip SAM’s audio wands.
  • Have a long wait before your viewing time? TASTE Restaurant offers grab-and-go snacks and sandwiches and has great coffee. Pick something up and hang with the SAM camels on the Grand Stairway
  • Better yet, grab a table at TASTE so you can sit back and relax. Take a look at their special, exhibition-inspired menu items here.
  • When SAM is busy, TASTE is busy. Make a reservation if you can!

 

SAM MEMBERSHIP:

  • SAM members can also reserve timeslots online, by activating their account or logging in as a member.
  • Onsite, you can go to one of our membership stations and avoid the longer, general ticket line.
  • There will still likely be a short wait, and you and will have to wait for the next available timeslot if you come in without a reservation.
  • The final Members Monday of the exhibition is this Monday, January 10, from noon – 9 pm. Join online and bring in your email confirmation to reserve a timeslot, or join in person. If you don’t already have a reservation, we recommend arriving at noon. You should be able to get a ticket for some time that day or evening.

 

IN GENERAL:

  • SAM’s Picasso website is a fantastic resource for any questions you might have about your visit.
  • Yes, the exhibition will be crowded and yes, it will be worth it. Breathe … and enjoy!

 

-Nicole Chism Griffin, SAM PR