A Night at the Museum: Common Ground Dinner

It’s a rare thing to explore a museum after dark, and even rarer still to come together for a meal among the galleries. Every moment feels special because when you’re surrounded by art, you take the time to notice the little things you might miss in your regular life. The feeling of cold stoneware in your hand, the swirl of a dish as your finger follows it, and the life of a stranger you’ve just shared a laugh with, who has intersected your path just for one night, and has left an imprint on the canvas that is your story. Here’s a look at the latest Common Ground Dinner from the artist Adam Silverman, plus details on how you can enjoy the next one in the series happening now at The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Common Ground by Adam Silverman

Adam Silverman is a Los Angeles-based artist who is known for his work in the pottery and ceramics medium. Common Ground is “a community-activated artwork” consisting of 224 vessels created from clay, wood ash, and water from all fifty United States and five inhabited territories.

The result is ceremonial pots and tableware that inspired a dinner series designed to bring together diverse people for a shared experience. A theme prevalent in this work is the motto of the United States, “In Pluribus Unum,” which translates to “out of many, one.” There are fifty-six sets of tableware with which to share a communal meal.

A Sephardic Experience

The Common Ground Dinner for the month of May was A Sephardic Experience, celebrating the Jewish community of the Iberian Peninsula of Spain and Portugal through food and music. Musician Sarah Aroeste narrated the dinner singing in the Ladino language of her Sephardic roots, transporting the guests to the year 1492.

The museum is open for an hour before the dinner begins, allowing diners to enjoy a peaceful gallery experience. Following this, you can enjoy a Specialty Cocktail or Glass of Wine in the Common Ground space. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet fellow guests and delight in passed Hors D’oeuvres, including Burekas and Stuffed Dates.

The traditional dinner that followed featured a salad of Burnt Eggplant with Tahini and Pomegranate and a buffet-style meal including Persian Tamarind Salmon, Moroccan Vegetables, and Saffron Rice with Barberries. Wine is served throughout. Dinner takes place in the museum’s cafe, where you join communal tables and are encouraged to turn your place card around to meet new friends. The tableware used for dinner is from the Common Ground exhibit. I worried about having such responsibility in my hands at a buffet, but the artist has created them to be living things rather than strict museum pieces.

Pistachio Baklava with Cinnamon-Orange Slices was served in the gallery space, accompanied by Coffee and an instrumental band. The evening ended with a final song by Aroeste, Chiko Ianiko, when everyone was finally brave enough to sing along.

The experience is approximately two hours for dinner. An additional hour is added to the front end to enjoy the museum without crowds, as it’s reserved exclusively for dinner guests.

What’s Next in the Common Ground Dinner Series?

Common Ground Dinners have brought together dozens of artists, civic leaders, and Angelenos. The only person missing is you! The list below includes upcoming dinners at the Skirball Cultural Center, and you can book using this link. Events will appear closer to the date. The cost is $90 a person. Alternatively, you can view the Common Ground Exhibition during daytime hours as a ticketed museum guest until January 4th, 2026.

• July 2025—Common Ground Dinner: Celebrating Women, Food, and Storytelling, celebrating the
  collective power and the stories they hold.
• November 2025—Common Ground Dinner: Commemorating Sigd, honoring the Ethiopian Jewish
  holiday.
• January 2026—Common Ground Dinner: Jewish-Muslim Solidarity, an interfaith meal connecting
  Jews and Muslims.
• March 2026—Common Ground Dinner: Nowruz Mubarak, a joyful Persian New Year celebration.