If you’ve ever looked at a work of art by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte or Max Ernst and imagined what it would be like to step into the bizarre and dreamlike worlds they put to canvas, the RiverBrink Art Museum’s upcoming garden party may be your chance to enter those tableaus.

The art museum’s evening fete on Friday, May 22, called A Surrealist Garden Party, is the first event in what is to be an annual fundraiser, The Art Thing, that raises money for RiverBrink by hosting celebrations inspired by iconic art movements.

The party, being held from 6 to 8 p.m., will immerse visitors in an evening of whimsical décor, interactive art experiences and live performances inspired by the surrealist movement.

Guests are encouraged to arrive dressed in imaginative garden party or surrealist-inspired attire as the museum transforms into what organizers describe as an altered, dreamlike environment.

Throughout the evening, attendees will encounter artistic installations, sensory experiences and live make-up artistry as models are transformed into fantastical surrealist characters in real time.

The evening will culminate in a “Tableau Vivant,” or living artwork, bringing together the transformed performers in a dramatic scene inspired by surrealist imagery.

“This event is about bringing art to life in unexpected ways,” said Debra Antoncic, director and curator at RiverBrink Art Museum.

“We want guests to experience surrealist-inspired creativity and imagination through the décor, the food, and the atmosphere. Guests will step into an altered space and encounter the transformative power of art.”

The event will also feature surrealist-inspired hors d’oeuvres, wine sponsored by Strewn Winery and refreshments.

Organizers say the fundraiser will support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs and community cultural initiatives.

Tickets are $75 per person. To purchase a ticket, visit riverbrink.org/events.