1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art: Sunday, January 4, 2009, 2–4 p.m. – “Family First Workshop” - Reynolda House Museum of American Art invites elementary school-aged children accompanied by an adult to a Family First Paper Sculpture Workshop. Children will discover sculpture in the museum and then construct their own three-dimensional masterpieces using different paper sculpture techniques. For information and to make the required reservation, please call 336.758.5389. Admission is $7 per person.

2). Cameron Art Museum presents “Class: Hand and Wheel Pottery Techniques” from January 5 - February 25, 2009 on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Cost: $250. Hiroshi Sueyoshi teaches participants hand building, wheel throwing, glazing, and finishing techniques. Class held twice weekly, size is limited; open to all skill levels, ages 16+. To register call 910-395-5999, ext. 1000 or email ckilian@cameronartmuseum.com.

3). Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce it has received $40,000 in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support the development and presentation of the exciting upcoming exhibition “Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space,” opening September 18, 2009 on view through January 3, 2010. The Asheville Art Museum was the only art museum in North Carolina to receive an Access to Artistic excellence grant this year.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher: Get a close-up look at amphibians without even lifting a lily pad at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The Aquarium recently debuted the “Year of the Frog” Art Exhibit, featuring the work of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), Carolinas Chapter. Part of the Aquarium’s larger “Year of the Frog” campaign, the exhibit strives to increase awareness about the plight of the world’s rapidly diminishing amphibian species. The display includes watercolor, colored-pencil, egg tempera and paper sculpture works that showcase the breadth and beauty of North Carolina’s native amphibians, from tiger salamanders to bullfrogs.

5). Rowan Museum is sponsoring its 24th annual German Christmas Celebration at the Old Stone House (1766) on Stone House Road in Granite Quarry on Saturday and Sunday, December 27 and 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, and 12 – 4 p.m. Sunday. The house is closed during November through March, but will open for the holiday celebration the weekend just following Christmas. The Old Stone House will be decorated as it would have been during pre-Revolutionary days…very simply with natural greenery, herbs, fruits and berries.

6). Mint Museum: The Mint Museum is pleased to announce that Fleur Bresler, a longtime supporter of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design and a Founders’ Circle member, has received two awards in recognition of her service to the craft art field. The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County in Silver Spring, Md., and the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia recently honored Bresler for her contributions to the arts at separate events.

7). Museum of the Albemarle: The infamous steamer Annie L. Vansciver is now sailing at the Museum of the Albemarle! A detailed scale model of the Annie L. is on display at MOA and the accompanying graphics tell her story. Also featured is a portrait of its last captain, Gabriel F. Johnson, Sr. in its original frame and glass. Built in 1905 in Camden, New Jersey, the Annie L. eventually became a familiar sight to Elizabeth City citizens as she is best remembered for her Sunday beach excursions from the city to Nags Head.

8). Kings Mountain Historical Museum is proud to announce the opening of the Sixth Annual “Trains, Trains, Trains Exhibit,” running through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The Piedmont Division of the Atlantic Coast 'S' Gaugers will have their interactive trains running for everyone to enjoy. Several train collectors from the area will exhibit their prized possessions along with great railroad memorabilia.