What's Happening in Davenport, IA…

People who enjoy art can visit a Davenport museum free of charge for several more weeks.

The Figge Art Museum, which is located in Davenport's downtown, is throwing open its doors with no admission fee for part of the summer. This is the fifth year in a row the facility has allowed visitors in free, and some museum employees say this is their favorite time of the year, because people come to the museum who might not otherwise visit.

Officials at the museum say they hope that waiving the admission fee will bring in visitors from throughout the area, and will be a nice surprise for people who come to visit expecting to pay. Officials see the free month as being on the way to becoming a tradition, and hope to continue it in the future. Among the works on display is a new exhibit of the work of Randy Richmond, a local artist. Brochure printing is often used to list works on display in institutions like this.

Susan Perry, a volunteer and worker at the Figge, said she is one of those who enjoys the free admission because visitors come who have never been to the museum before. Waiving the fees is particularity nice for large families, Perry notes, because admission for a group can be expensive. This way, parents and children can enjoy art together.

The free-admission period began in early July and runs until August 11.