On Saturdays 17 and 24 March, the Gallery will stay open until midnight to celebrate the final two weeks of the extraordinary Picasso: masterpieces from the Musée Picasso, Paris.

More than 230,000 people have seen the exhibition which is part of Destination NSW’s Sydney International Art Series 2011–12 and showcases the works that Pablo Picasso was determined never to relinquish.

Book your timed-entry ticket to the exhibition and enjoy a full program of free talks, films, tours and performances taking place throughout the Gallery on both evenings. Starting at 3pm each day, join us for some fun interactive tours for kids, watch a live flamenco dance performance, hear celebrated artist Wendy Sharpe talk about Picasso, listen to the gypsy-flavoured tunes of Monsieur Camembert or see the films Pablo Picasso: The Legacy of a Genius (dir: Michael Blackwood 1981) and Flamenco (dir: Carlos Saura 1995).

Enjoy fine dining in the restaurant, live music in the ArtBar and, in the members’ lounge, listen to flamenco guitarist David Holberton.

“Already this is proving to be one of the Gallery’s most popular exhibitions and numbers could be our highest to date“ said Anne Flanagan, Acting Director, AGNSW.

This exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see seven decades of Picasso’s relentless work, capturing every phase of his career.

The most ambitious exhibition ever undertaken by the Gallery, it is jointly organised by Musée National Picasso, the Art Gallery of NSW and Art Exhibitions Australia (AEA).

The NSW Minister for the Arts, George Souris, said, “The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, was proud to support the Picasso exhibition as part of the Sydney International Art Series, bringing the world’s most outstanding exhibitions exclusively to Sydney.

“There is no doubt blockbuster exhibitions drive tourism, attract investment and generate economic benefit for the State. Early research indicates around a third of attendees have come from outside Sydney to see the exhibition. This is a tremendous result and there is still time to plan a trip to the Harbour City to see this world class exhibition,” he said.

Picasso till midnight is sponsored by Mazda Australia. “Mazda’s involvement reflects the company’s deep respect for the role that art plays in inspiring communities and bringing people together“ Doug Dickson, Managing Director, Mazda Australia.

Mazda Australia is also Principal sponsor of Picasso: masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso.

Picasso: masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris is open until 25 March. Admission to the exhibition is $25, Concession $18 and Family $65. Pre-purchase timed entry tickets through Ticketek.