CHAPEL HILL - Starting Thursday the Ackland Art Museum will extend its public hours until 8 p.m. every Thursday, establishing regular weekly evening hours for the first time in the history of the museum.

To celebrate the start of this new schedule, Curator of Collections Timothy Riggs will offer a free gallery talk in the special exhibition "The Guardian and the Avant-Garde" Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

"Adding regular evening open hours has been a long term goal for the Ackland," said Director Emily Kass. "Visiting a museum is a great way to relax after work or after school, and it's also a wonderful way to begin a night on the town. We want to encourage people to take advantage of downtown Chapel Hill's rich cultural and entertainment opportunities."

The museum's open hours are now 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a,m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. the second Friday of every month, when the museum hosts Art after Dark, part of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro 2ndFriday Artwalk.

As always, admission to the museum will remain free, with donations encouraged.