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.