By Gabriel Martins

The Shapiro Family Hall hosted performances by local musical artists.

The line was long. The air was cold and silent as people gazed up at blue and pink lights that painted the marble columns. Some dressed in fur coats, others in studded leather jackets, most smoking cigarettes and waiting to come together to celebrate another late-night at the Museum of Fine Art.  

Extravagant outfits were displayed in full force at the Museum of Fine Arts during their Late Nites event last night. The event celebrated the debut of their newest exhibits and reflected the different faces of the city, proving that Boston’s nightlife scene is still alive.

The main exhibit, “Fashioned by Sargent,” featured massive canvases, colorful velvet dresses in glass enclosures and event goers captivated by them.

Grace, who came in a long gown adorned with cascading pearls layered on her neck and shoulders, said her grandfather introduced her to Sargent.

“I love John Singer Sargent!” she said. “What’s better than dressing up and coming to the MFA?”

She spoke about the versatility of expression through fashion.

“I think that fashion is armor in a form of expression,” she said. “You can change your style to reflect your emotions, or tell someone to die in a fire.” 

The museum also featured an exhibit on tiny miniatures from all around the world. 

Curator Courtney Harris, who hosted “Tiny Talks” about the exhibits, spoke about the translation of the miniature world to our world and how these seemingly unordinary objects can become extraordinary.

“Objects are sometimes hard to relate to people, and I wanted to find a way to make them come alive,” Harris said. 

She said she had worked hard to specifically set up this exhibit ahead of the Late Nites event and was excited to see the diverse communities she doesn’t get to see regularly.

“I work a 9-to-5 — I don’t get to see all the young people interacting with the exhibits. It’s such a diverse crowd and that’s what’s exciting to me,” Harris said.

On the second floor of the museum, people lounged and listened to the live band, at the Outlaud Speakeasy, a Boston-based band that played R&B covers throughout the night. 

People were drinking signature cocktails in the dimly lit space and browsed the collection of vintage graphic tees just outside the doors. Eager buyers picked off vintage tees from Black culture, 90’s style and soul band tees that were mounted on the walls of the museum.

Edgar Arty (who wanted to be referred to as “Wavy Crockett”) curated his own collection of vintage fashion at a booth titled Old Wavy. The sponsors of the event, Outlaud, invited Edgar to bring his collection to the museum and Edgar could not pass such a unique opportunity up.

“When you dress nice, you feel good,” Arty said. “I wanted to combine my life experiences, and black culture into my own creation.”

People made their own art as well. The MFA had provided different types of materials for people to make their own pendants and jewelry. Rachel, a woman from Wellesley, found that being able to have fun was an escape from her life behind a screen. 

“I work a remote job so there’s a difference between seeing art through a screen versus in person.” she said. “We get so tied up in our lives behind a screen that being able to appreciate and make art in person means everything.” 

Stephanie Maughan, a cellist in Boston, said art was what fueled her life. She had performed for the Chicago Symphony in the past and decided that Boston was the place to be. 

“Look at all the people!” Maughan said. “Culture and the celebration of culture is important to cities like this.

She continued, “Cities need culture! When you share your culture, you become a better person.”