Gallery Snack Spreads: 101

Written By Alyssa Kwon

By Candace Opper

It is customary to offer gallery visitors an array of snacks and libations to consume as they peruse your art opening.

This small effort on your part shows your patrons that you understand the fundamentals of hosting social gatherings, namely that people like to hold and chew things while they mingle and that those things must be free, bite-sized, and preferably accompanied by alcohol. 

Here are three sample menus for an art opening at any budget, from volunteer-run to spared-no-expense.

Folding Tables and String Lights (Budget <$100)

  • Franzia boxed wine

  • Giant Eagle cubed cheese platter

  • Assorted entertainment crackers

  • Grapes

Protein Splurge: Mixed Nuts

Exposed Brick and Movable Walls (Budget <$200)

  • A few bottles of Pinot (red & white, represent)

  • A case of whatever IPA is on sale

  • An array of LaCroix (don’t skimp on the pamplemousse)

  • Grocery-store crudité platter with customary ranch dip

  • Hummus and/or other vegan-friendly dips

  • Trader Joe’s fig & olive crisps

  • Nut- or corn-based crackers for the gluten-challenged

  • Chocolate almond bark

Protein Splurge: Throw in a charcuterie spread; people linger when they can convince themselves this is “dinner.”

Skylights and Reclaimed Wood (Budget $500+)

  • A local bartender serving a signature gallery cocktail

  • Something wrapped in prosciutto

  • Something served on crostini

  • Something ironic, like mini corn dogs or mac n’ cheese bites

  • Something sweet that comes in a tiny tart shell

  • Olives

  • More olives

  • Baby dill pickles

  • More olives

Protein Splurge: Something tartare (serve at your own risk)

Alyssa Kwon
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