This weekend, the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, located just north of Eddy Street, opened its doors to the public for the first time after more than two years of construction and 16 years of planning.

Students were the first ones to be able to enjoy the museum’s art galleries, with a student preview night being held on Thursday. A DJ played live music and free Raclin Murphy Museum of Art T-shirts were printed and given out to students in the Learning Commons.

From the atrium on the first floor, visitors can access the gallery holding European and American art from 1700 to 1900, the gallery holding African art and the Teaching Gallery — which holds a variety of works of arts related to classes being taught at Notre Dame.

Also on the first floor are the coffee shop, Ivan’s Cafe, and the Learning Commons.