Photos: Debut Of The Smallest Museum In The World In Somerville

Updated August 15, 2013

Greg Cook

The Mµseum—or “Micro Museum." (Greg Cook) — The Mµseum—or “Micro Museum." (Greg Cook/WBUR)

“Thank you for this incredibly puny contribution to Somerville,” Rachel Strutt, program manager for the Somerville Arts Council, told Mµseum -- or “Micro Museum” — founders Judith Klausner and Steve Pomeroy during a ribbon cutting in the city’s Union Square Thursday evening. A crowd gathered along the sidewalk to witness the historic debut of what (we like to think) is the smallest museum in the world at 72 1/2 Union Square, wedged into a narrow alleyway between the Independent and a Subway shop.

"The idea,” Klausner told me last week, "is to create more instances of wonder in the urban landscape."

Previously: Coming To Somerville: The Smallest Museum In The World

I’m really excited we have an opportunity here to show art being made in our community,” founding curator Judith Klausner told the crowd as (from left) “chief engineer” Steve Pomeroy and Rachel Strutt, program manager for the Somerville Arts Council, watched. (Greg Cook) — “I’m really excited we have an opportunity here to show art being made in our community,” founding curator Judith Klausner told the crowd as (from left) “chief engineer” Steve Pomeroy and Rachel Strutt, program manager for the Somerville Arts Council, watched. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

Visitors peek into the Mµseum. (Greg Cook) — Visitors peek into the Mµseum. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

The inaugural exhibition, “Invisible Cities,” running through Oct. 11, features art by (from left) Grace Durnford, Emily Garfield, Ted Ollier and Mara Brod. “Their art is not only beautiful and infinitesimal, they’re also very active in the art community,” Strutt said. (Greg Cook) — The inaugural exhibition, “Invisible Cities,” running through Oct. 11, features art by (from left) Grace Durnford, Emily Garfield, Ted Ollier and Mara Brod. “Their art is not only beautiful and infinitesimal, they’re also very active in the art community,” Strutt said. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

No idea is really too big or too small to hit it big in Somerville,” said Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who brought along a magnifying glass to help enjoy the Mµseum. (Greg Cook) — “No idea is really too big or too small to hit it big in Somerville,” said Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who brought along a magnifying glass to help enjoy the Mµseum. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

A city worker installs, in Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s words, “very petite angled parking,” a “micro bike rack,” and “micro bus stop.” (Greg Cook) — A city worker installs, in Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s words, “very petite angled parking,” a “micro bike rack,” and “micro bus stop.” (Greg Cook/WBUR)

The petite angled parking, micro bike rack and micro bus stop temporarily installed next the red carpet laid out for the Mµseum’s ribbon cutting. (Greg Cook) — The petite angled parking, micro bike rack and micro bus stop temporarily installed next the red carpet laid out for the Mµseum’s ribbon cutting. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone cut the ribbon after giving his “official micro speech,” the entirety of which was: “Good evening. Thank you.” (Greg Cook) — Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone cut the ribbon after giving his “official micro speech,” the entirety of which was: “Good evening. Thank you.” (Greg Cook/WBUR)

The Mµseum, with lights powered by a solar panel, is open for viewing 24 hours a day. (Greg Cook) — The Mµseum, with lights powered by a solar panel, is open for viewing 24 hours a day. (Greg Cook/WBUR)

This article was originally published on August 15, 2013.

This program aired on August 15, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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