ncmuseums

An occasional list of exhibits, programs, and events at North Carolina museums. Sponsored by the North Carolina Museums Council.

Monday, August 18, 2008

1). Asheville Art Museum: Explore the work of artist Sigmund Abeles with the artist himself during a gallery talk at the Asheville Art Museum starting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 as part of the exhibition “Uncommon Expressions: The Drawings of Sigmund Abeles and Jerome Witkin.” The exhibition is organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum and will be on display in Gallery 6 through Sunday, August 31, 2008.

2). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is hosting an eight-part lecture series to complement The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition. New York University Professor Lawrence Schiffman will present the second lecture of the series, "Israel at the Time of the Dead Sea Scrolls," on Wednesday, August 27 at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. in the Museum's WRAL Digital Theater. [Due to the overwhelming popularity of the first lecture, the Museum strongly recommends purchasing tickets in advance.]

3). Cameron Art Museum presents “Site Specific Art: Dan Brawley and Dixon Stetler” on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Program admission is by donation. Artists Dixon Stetler and Dan Brawley discuss the creation of their works of art on the museum’s grounds. Dan Brawley (and Bob Brown’s) “Endless Tower of Tires” inspired by a wooden sculpture by Constantin Brâncusi titled “Endless Column” and Dixon Stetler's “Glove Palapa,” 2008, a wood structure made with recycled gloves.

4). Bellamy Mansion: Take a journey back in time using all five of your senses at this year’s “Flavor of the Past: Boom Times in a Boom Town,” Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Event tickets include a breakfast presentation at Thalian Hall, admission to five historic sites, entertainment, historic-inspired food samplings, and trolley shuttle service between sites. This unique experience allows you to taste, see, and hear Wilmington as you never have before. The historic sites are the Latimer House/Lower Cape Fear Historical Society, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Hannah Block Historic USO, William J. Price House, and the Bellamy Mansion. Tickets are limited. Purchase tickets at 910-251-3700.

5). Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking present “Ghostbusters” on Saturday, August 23 as part of the museum’s Cinema Under the Stars series. Gates to Reynolda House open at 8 p.m. and the film begins at 9 p.m.

6). Mint Museum of Craft and Design presents “Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection,” on view at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design from August 16, 2008 – January 4, 2009. The exhibition places contemporary jewelry within a larger framework of 20th and 21st century art. Cindi Strauss, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s curator of modern and contemporary decorative arts and design, will give a public lecture about the exhibition on Sunday, August 24 at 3:00 p.m. at the museum.

7). Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site: Come listen to Civil War reenactors talk about camp life during the bloody 1860s conflict and see how soldiers lived, during Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site’s summer living history program Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costumed “soldiers” from the 27th Regiment of N.C. State Troops will present demonstrations and give talks evoking the daily routine and challenges faced by the average Confederate soldier.

8). Bennett Place State Historic Site: Come visit a typical Confederate recruiting and training camp at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham, when Confederate soldiers of the “Old North State” encamp around the historic Bennett Farm on Saturday, Aug. 23, and Sunday, Aug. 24. Some 50 to 75 period-costumed “soldiers” of the 26th and 6th N.C. Infantry reenactment groups will portray soldiers preparing to go to the front. Demonstrations will include various drills, musket firings, camp life, cooking and educational talks. The activities will be ongoing throughout the day from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and are free.

9). Port Discover: “Observing Oceans” is the theme for Port Discover’s Toddler Time, August 21 at 10:00. Preschoolers will learn about the water cycle and salt water, discover a “magic floating egg”, and make and take home their own ocean in a bottle. A fee of $5 per family and reservations are required. Program is for 3 – 5 year-olds and parents or guardians must accompany the child.

10). High Point Museum: The Furniture Heritage Project of the High Point Museum is pleased to announce “Furniture, What’s Up” – monthly discussions on the furniture business in North Carolina. The seventh public forum in the series is “Photography and the Furniture Industry, History, Aesthetics,” August 26, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the museum.

Neil Fulghum retires

On August 15, former N.C. Museums Council President Neil Fulghum officially retired as keeper of the North Carolina Collection Gallery at UNC-Chapel Hill. As many NCMC members will know, in addition to other awards and recognitions, Neil was the 2007 winner of the Council’s Professional Service Award.

This fall, the University Library will be conducting a formal search for Neil’s replacement. The position of "keeper (curator) of the museum" dates back to 1795 at UNC, when the school's board of trustees appointed Cabarrus County native Charles W. Harris to serve in that position. Keeper Harris established a campus museum in East Building (now "Old East"), the university's first structure.

As keeper, Neil was responsible for building and administering the Gallery in Louis Round Wilson Library, developing exhibitions and historic rooms, and overseeing a diverse collection of more than 22,000 historic artifacts that UNC has acquired over the past 213 years.

Our congratulations to Neil, who encourages interested individuals to keep an eye out for the employment listing from the University later this year.

Monday, August 04, 2008

1). Port Discover: “Exploring the Sea’s Mysteries: A Glimpse at the Queen Anne’s Revenge Shipwreck Project” is the topic of Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science, August 9. The program will be presented at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Shanna McDaniel, Assistant Conservator of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, will share an exploration of the science behind the 18th century shipwreck thought to be Blackbeard’s flagship. Learn what archaeologists and conservators have discovered since the ship was found in 1996.

2). N.C. Maritime Museum: Throughout history, pirates and their exploits have fascinated and entertained people of all ages. The stories of these rogues of the high seas are explored in an exciting new exhibit, “Knights of the Black Flag,” premiering August 9, 2008, at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. The new exhibit features life-sized pirates dressed in period clothing and costumes museum goers can slip on to get a taste of the real experience. Replica cannons and weapons including swords, muskets and flintlock pistols used by pirate ‘gangsters’ to defeat their enemies and secure booty and treasure are on view.

3). High Point Museum: Using new technology, residents and visitors can discover High Point’s history even when the High Point Museum is not open. The Museum is going high-tech. It offers OnCell Audio Tours for its three on-site historic buildings (Haley House, Blacksmith House and the Hoggatt House) and its three off-site historic properties (Little Red Schoolhouse, Mendenhall Meeting House and the Mendenhall Store). This resource allows visitors to use their cell phones to call (336-289-4072) and select a number corresponding to a building and learn more about it. The only cost is the use of their cell phone minutes.

4). N.C. State Capitol: How many architects did it take to design the State Capitol? How did workers maneuver 2-ton stone blocks into downtown Raleigh? Why does the Senate Chamber look like a Greek temple? Find out the answers to these questions and more at an “Artisans & Architecture” free family event at the State Capitol on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 1-3pm. A curator’s tour of the site’s newest exhibit, “The Pride and Ornament of the State: Building the North Carolina State Capitol,” also will be offered at 1 and 3 p.m. All activities are free and open to the public.

5). Asheville Art Museum: Celebrating its 60th anniversary of bringing great art and great experiences to Western North Carolina, the Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present the “smArt Speak: Distinguished Artist Series.” Tickets for Art Spiegelman’s Sept. 11th talk will go on sale August 8 and tickets for the Faith Ringgold and Christo and Jeanne-Claude events will go on sale August 15. These events are expected to sell out, so reserve a seat by purchasing tickets early.

6). Greensboro Children’s Museum, in an effort to promote health, togetherness, and competition. will hold its own version of the Olympic Games. The Olympics will be held on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 and Sunday, Aug 10, 2008. The Opening Torch ceremony will begin at 10:15 on Saturday and 1:15 on Sunday. The Greensboro Children’s Museum Olympics will have some of the traditional events such as Dash, Hurdles, Shot Put, and Long Jump as well as traditional child friendly events such as Sack Race, Dizzy Bat and the Backwards Race. There will be a medal ceremony after all events are completed. The event is free with the price of admission or membership.

7). Cashiers Historical Society is sponsoring another Front Porch Family Fun event at the Zachary-Tolbert House in Cashiers on Saturday, August 9 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Local artist, Lee Knight, will entertain with his unique blend of music and storytelling. Knight is a long time favorite of both the young and the young-at-heart. In addition, there will be crafts, activities, games, refreshments, and lots of interaction. Parents are invited to join in the fun or simply relax on the grounds while your kids enjoy the festivities. No pre-registration is required; simply drop in.

8). SciWorks will hold its final (for this summer) “Family $1 Friday” evening on August 11th. From 4-8pm, SciWorks will be open with a $1 per person (age 2 and up) admission fee. Children under age 2 are free. Visitors will enjoy our current temporary exhibit – “Color Play” - and everything else SciWorks has to offer. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic supper and enjoy a casual evening out with family and friends.

9). Cameron Art Museum presents Illustrated Lecture: "The Sarus Cranes of India" on Sunday, Aug. 10, 3:00 pm. Program admission is by donation. Sara Gavney Moore, Education Specialist/Program Assistant with the International Crane Foundation, gives a lecture and discussion on the endangered Sarus Cranes (grus antigone), the largest flying bird, standing up to six feet tall and weighing 18 pounds or more and with a wingspan of 10 feet. The crane is the inspiration for the Sarus Performing Arts Festival. Held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Sarus Performing Arts Festival, http://www.sarusfestival.com/.

10). The Wheels Through Time Museum originally scheduled to close at the end of July, has extended its stay through the end of November. The museum plans to open a new exhibit, “Motorcops: a 100 Year Love Affair between Police and the Motorcyle,” on September 26. The exhibit will remain open through the final day on November 30.

11. The Wayne County Museum, Goldsboro, is offering a free event at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 15th. Bring the kids to see the "Fossil Man," Marvin E. Underwood, who will present on fossils found right here in North Carolina. Kids will enjoy an interactive program with hands-on activities, and can meet special guest "Baby," a descendant of the dinosaur. Call 919-734-5023 for more details.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Deadline nears for 2009 conference session proposals

This is a reminder to anyone who is interested, individually or as a group, in proposing a session presentation during the 2009 joint conference with South Carolina, to be held in Charlotte-Rock Hill from March 4 through 6, 2009. PROPOSALS for potential sessions are DUE ON AUGUST 7, 2008.

Seeking Session Proposals for 2009 Joint NCMC & SCFM Conference

Our theme for the 2009 conference is Beyond Borders: Creative Collaborations in the Carolinas. Below are possible session topics; we hope to group session proposals by topic so that sessions consist of panelists from both states.

Possible session topics are:
program evaluation / visitor studies; disaster preparedness conservation / preservation; internal/external collaborations; controversial subjects; marketing and branding; exhibition techniques; collections / acquisition issues; education initiatives; fundraising; volunteer recruitment; friends groups, boards and networks; effective boards; museums and the community; curatorial methods & documentation; heritage tourism … and more!

If you have an additional session topic, please submit it. Thank you in advance for helping to make the 2009 conference an informative and rejuvenating experience for all of us!

Please send your proposals to Kathryn Beach by August 7, 2008. Information and proposal forms can be found on the NCMC web site – click on “Conference” in the top bar, or find the item at the top of the right-hand column on the front page for links.

Kathryn Beach, NCMC Professional Development Chair
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex
PO Box 53693
Fayetteville NC 28305
kathryn.beach@ncmail.net

For South Carolina:
Christian Cicimurri
SCFM Professional Development Chair Bob Campbell Geology Museum
103 Garden TrailClemson, SC 29634-0130
cmcici@clemson.edu