Updated: 3:20 p.m.

Museum-goers poked the "homeless man" curled up on the floor in the Decorative & Early Modern gallery at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke.

At first, many wondered how the man had managed to sneak by security and clusters of volunteers.

But then they realized the figure was art, another piece by artist Mark Jenkins, known internationally for provocative street installations.

One woman quipped, "I used to step over my ex-husband in New York City so I know all about this."

One step away from Jenkins' piece hung artist Onorio Mariani's "Madonna and the Christ Child."

Pamela Thomas, 42, of Roanoke, said her favorite works at the museum included Mariani's painting and a painting by Norman Rockwell.

Two blocks away, Ben Crooks, a vendor on the Roanoke City Market, said the museum's opening was good for his rock and fossil business.

"I've been slammed," Crooks said. "I would say probably about 25 to 50 percent of my business today has come over from the museum."

Ahondryea Brooks said she would return to the Taubman, even after the museum starts charging admission. Today, admission was free.

"Really, $8.50 isn't that bad for this area for this kind of culture," Brooks said.

But Julia Parker, 54, and Kathy Parker, 56, said one visit would be enough. "It's like an amusement park," said Kathy Parker. "Once you see it, you don't need to go back."

Updated: 2 p.m.

The common folks, the hoi polloi, lined up before well before 11 a.m. today for the public opening of the $66 million Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke.

The VIPs, including Gov. Tim Kaine, entered first.

Tickets were free but specified a time for entry.

Jennifer Feazelle, 36, of Roanoke, said the planned $8.50 admission fee will not discourage a return visit.

"I'm definitely coming back," she said. "I'm not a big art connoisseur, but it's just an interesting building and an interesting atmosphere."

Volunteers in pumpkin-colored shirts answered questions, handed out leaflets and participated in crowd control.

The William Fleming High School choir and its drum line added music as people of all ages lined up to enter.

Reactions to the museum's interior spaces and galleries tended toward effusive.

"The facility is spectacular," said Kerry McCarty, 58, of Roanoke.

A few people descending the main staircase said its design challenged their depth perception but other concerns seemed scarce.

Feazelle said the museum will provide another destination when out-of-towners visit. "You always think about the [Mill Mountain] Star," she said.