ncmuseums

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

Monday, November 24, 2008

1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art: On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, from 5:30–6:30 p.m., Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents a Gallery Talk titled “As Seen on Broadway” with Reynolda House Costume Curator Ruth Mullen. Mullen incorporates the exhibition, “Seeing the City: Sloan’s New York” as she explores women’s fashions for attending the theater, walks in the park, window-shopping, and driving. A cash bar reception follows the talk. Admission is $5.

2). Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its annual Colonial Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2008 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Colonel Lane was a founding father of North Carolina’s capital city and an officer in the Militia during the American Revolutionary War. The house will feature traditional greenery decorations and will reflect the very different way in which our ancestors celebrated the Christmas holiday. Tours of the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; and other interpreters will entertain children using colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program.

3). Asheville Art Museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary, presents Up for Discussion: Mike Smith, Photographer on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Join us for a discussion with Mike Smith, Photographer. Smith will be talking about his work documenting the Southern Appalachian terrain. Smith is known for his photographs of East Tennessee that depict the isolation of mountain landscape. He is fascinated by the people who resist suburbia and find solace and a connection with the land. Smith’s photographs are telling of the interactions between people and landscape and the effects of these interactions on the landscape.

4). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents “Purgatory Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues” by Tyrone Geter in the Norvell Gallery. This series of large-scale figurative drawings, inspired by the spirit of the artist’s mother, portrays African Americans pulling from a collective legacy of courage and strength to overcome trials, discrimination, and “the blues.” Exhibition runs from November 21, 2008 – February 7, 2009.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents “Quiet Spirit, Skillful Hand: The Graphic Work of Clare Leighton,” on view through April 5, 2009. Born in Great Britain in 1898, Clare Leighton was one of the most important printmakers of the 20th century. Her preferred medium was wood engraving, a physically demanding form of printmaking that requires a tremendous level of precision and skill. This exhibition was generously underwritten by The Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Foundation, Inc. Additional support provided by Deborah and Matt Long. This exhibition was organized by the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina.

6). Museum of the Albemarle: On Saturday, December 6 from 11 am to 2 pm everyone is invited to celebrate a Colonial Christmas at the Museum of the Albemarle! Tour the Museum decorated for the holidays with a colonial theme. Kids can enjoy creative activities such as making beeswax candles and tin punch ornaments. Snack on gingerbread cookies and sip some hot cider. Music from the College of the Albemarle band is sure to help put you in the holiday spirit. Plus, be sure to catch the highlight of the day-a visit from Santa! This free event is open to the public.

7). SciWorks: On November 28th and 29th, SciWorks will be the first science museum in the U.S. to have access to a system of high-tech multi-sensory educational programs that enable students to receive an entertainment-style learning experience! Mobile Cinema Park, an edutainment system being introduced in the U.S. by Greensboro-based New Xperience Entertainment (NXE), is debuting “Keep It Wild-Coexisting with the Animals,” an exciting experience that’s all about amazing animals. We’ll have the opportunity to meet these animals and find out how we influence them and how they influence us - for better and for worse.

8). N.C. Transportation Museum: One of the latest additions to the N.C. Transportation Museum will be unveiled during a local holiday tradition. The town of Spencer’s 1949 Mack Fire Truck, recently donated to the museum, will be displayed during the annual Rowan County Holiday Caravan Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 26. During the parade, the truck will be parked at the front of the museum property, just across from Spencer’s Park Plaza. The ‘49 Mack Fire Truck represents a piece of Spencer’s heritage, which is interwoven with the history of the N.C. Transportation Museum, the former Spencer Shops train repair facility. During more than 40 years in service, numerous volunteer firefighters, many of whom also worked at Spencer Shops, were perched behind the wheel when fire alarms sounded.

Monday, November 10, 2008

1). Kings Mountain Historical Museum: Annual “Honor Our Veterans” Exhibit is the current exhibit at the Kings Mountain Historical Museum. The exhibit will run through Sunday, November 16, 2008. This year we are focusing on the Vietnam War. Also represented are photos, memorabilia, uniforms, and weapons from the Revolutionary War to Iraqi Freedom.

2). Orange County Historical Museum: Looking for great bargains that won't break the bank? Pick up some great items and help the Orange County Historical Museum at the same time. Join us on Saturday, November 15, from 8 a.m.- noon at the Orange County Historical Museum for its annual Yard Sale fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Orange County Historical Museum.

3). Joel Lane Museum House presents a Lecture on “Promoting Heritage Tourism Through the Preservation of City-Owned Cemeteries” by Jane Thurman, President of Raleigh City Cemeteries Preservation on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 7 p.m.

4). Asheville Art Museum: The Asheville Art Museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary, invites you to enjoy the film that has been called “a blissful rhapsody!” at the screenings of “Rittenhouse Square,” on Saturday and Sunday, November 15th and 16th, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. each day in the Museum’s WNC Art Resource Center.

5). Bellamy Mansion Museum will host a presentation and book signing on Sunday, November 23rd at 2 p.m. Dr. Jean Fagan Yellin, Distinguished Professor Emerita of English at Pace University and Pulitzer Prize nominee, will give a presentation and book signing of “The Harriet Jacobs Family Papers,” edited by Dr. Yellin.

6). Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens presents African American Lecture: “The Jonkonnu Parade: An Articulation of Escape and Renewal in North Carolina” on Thursday, November 20 with guest speaker: Dr. Jermaine Archer. Dr. Archer will talk about how the men, women and children who participated in the nineteenth-century North Carolina Jonkonnu slave parade engaged in a brief respite from the racial social hierarchy. 7 p.m., Visitor Center Auditorium.

7). 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 tenth in a series of monthly public forums examining various aspects of the North Carolina furniture business will be held on Tuesday, November 18 at High Point Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The topic is Veneer and the panelist is Jim Armstrong.

8). Cape Fear Museum: Following another successful summer season at Airlie Gardens, jazz moves indoors for the chillier months, starting Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. with the ever-popular Grenoldo Frazier. But this year’s Winter Jazz series will not be held in its usual venue. Instead the concerts, now in their sixth season, will move to the atrium in the New Hanover County Government Center.

Monday, November 03, 2008

1). Asheville Art Museum : The Asheville Art Museum’s “smArt speak: Distinguished Artist Series” proudly presents Faith Ringgold: “More Than 50 Years” on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. As part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration, the Asheville Art Museum brings multi-faceted artist Faith Ringgold to Western North Carolina audiences. “Personal Narrative” is the theme of the constellation of programs for Ringgold. Her work as a painter, textile artist and children’s book author explores the African-American experience both personally and in a more universal way.

2). Port Discover: Port Discover presents “A Star Party,” a special family evening of starlight and enlightenment, on Friday evening, November 7, at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to Port Discover members. Program cost for non-members is $10 per family. Guests will be treated to the use of telescopes and tours of the skies, guided by Billy Younger, instructor of physics and astronomy at the College of the Albemarle. Also at Port Discover: Learn the basics of the scientific method with Dr. Maille Lyons, postdoctoral research scientist at Old Dominion University. How do I make a hypothesis? What is the control? Why is it necessary to repeat my experiment? Find out how to choose, design, and execute an experiment for a successful science fair project. Programs are set for Saturday, November 8 at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Reservations are requested.

3). Federation of N.C. Historical Societies presents at their Fall Workshop - “Hands-On History: Object-Based Learning and Craft Activities” on Saturday, November 8, 9:00 am - 11:00 am at the North Carolina Museum of History. Discover how to engage visitors through activities based on artifacts in your collection during the Federation’s workshop. Object-based learning builds on that interest by giving people the tools to investigate an artifact and find how it connects to themselves as well as the larger world.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is proud to announce the successful birth of six guitarfish, born October 10. An x-ray the previous week confirmed the mother was pregnant. Hap Fatzinger, aquarium curator said, “Because of challenges x-raying other cartilaginous fish like sharks and rays, we were excited when our pregnancy suspicions were confirmed.”

5). Davidson College Visual Art Center presents “Beloved Daughters: The Photographs of Fazal Sheikh Exhibition” running from October 17-December 10, 2008. The exhibit features the photographs of Fazal Sheikh's Moksha (Heaven, 2005) and Ladli (Beloved Daughters, 2007).

6). Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Pre-Schooler Time” on Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-schoolers will discover how the Native Americans made clay pots, they’ll read a book and participate in a creative activity. For more information, contact Lori Meads at 252-335-1453. Also at Museum of the Albemarle: “Lightships: Floating Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic,” a lecture and book signing by author Wayne Kirklin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 6. Mr. Kirklin is an Associate Historian with the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation.

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences: Is it dead or alive? Human or inhuman? Visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh and you'll know, you'll see, you'll feel the awful creeping crawling terror that stands your hair on end and brings a scream to your lips. Aauugghh!! Watch in horror as Boris Karloff brings "The Mummy" to life for this month's Natural Horror Picture Show on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m. Free.

8). Cameron Art Museum: “Bob DeYoung: installation {phantasm}” opens to the public at the Cameron Art Museum Friday, November 7 and will remain on view through April 26, 2009. A public reception will be held Thursday, November 6 from 7-9 p.m. (museum members 6-7 p.m.). Contemporary artist Bob DeYoung has created his site-specific installation in a 1440 square foot gallery of the Cameron Art Museum. DeYoung works and lives in Europe, Japan and the United States, and maintains a residence and studio in Wilmington. De Young’s work ranges from objects to performance art and room installations.