Events from around the state:

1). The Ackland Art Museum presents an exhibition of new works by the graduating class of Master of Fine Arts students at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "New Currents in Contemporary Art" (April 12 - May 11, 2008) includes paintings, sculpture, installation, video, and color photography by emerging artists noted for their fresh perceptions of contemporary life, innovative use of media and techniques, and attention to craftsmanship.

2). Greensboro Children's Museum : Stop by our Community Center on Friday, April 11th (3-8pm) & Saturday, April 19th (10-3pm) to meet local artist Virginia Kassay. Virginia has an 8-year old daughter, Emily, who is autistic. Through her paintings, Virginia has found a special way to communicate with Emily. She will be exhibiting some of her paintings, as well as working on an original piece.

3). N.C. Museum of History presents "Cherokee Pottery: People of One Fire" from April 11-July 27, 2008. Presenting artifacts from 4,500 years ago to the present, "Cherokee Pottery" documents continuity and change in the Cherokee pottery tradition. The exhibit is a collaboration among the Cherokee Heritage Center in Oklahoma and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee Potters Guild, and Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC-Chapel Hill and Western Carolina University in North Carolina. "Cherokee Pottery" showcases past and present North Carolina potters and their efforts to connect with and assist the Western Band of Cherokee Indians in the revitalization of traditional pottery methods.

4). President James K. Polk State Historic Site: Historian Walter Borneman author of "Polk: The Man who Transformed the Presidency and America," will discuss his book on Thursday, April 10 at the site in Pineville. From 7-8 p.m., Borneman will trace the 11th president's life and career, emphasizing how he became a decisive statesman whose near doubling of America's boundaries and broadening of executive powers redefined the country, as well as its highest office. Afterward, the author will sign copies of "Polk." This public program is free though pre-registration is required by April 1. It is a N.C. Department of Cultural Resources "Telling Our Stories" event.

5). Hickory Museum of Art presents Gallery Talk, Thursday, April 17, 6 - 7:30 PM, at the Hickory Museum of Art's Shuford Gallery. Doug Marlette's KUDZU comic strip wrestled joyfully with what it means to be Southern today. Join curator Dr. Tom Hanchett in an exploration of Marlette's work as featured in "Comic Stripped: A Revealing Look at Southern Stereotypes in Cartoons" - an exhibition on display at Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South through May 25. Presented in conjunction with HMA's exhibition "Doug Marlette: His Art and His Words - From 'Kudzu' to 'The Bridge.'"