ncmuseums

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

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 26, 2009

1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art (http://www.reynoldahouse.org/index.php) Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents a small, focused exhibition titled “The Stieglitz Circle: Beyond O’Keeffe” in the Northeast Bedroom Gallery of the historic house. The exhibition of six works selected from art in the Reynolda House collection will be on view June 5 through November 20, 2009.

2). Greensboro Children’s Museum (http://www.gcmuseum.com/flash.htm) presents “The Wide World of Animals” on June 1 and June 17 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This exciting and fun program will focus on animals both here in NC and all over the world. Come and see a ball python, guinea pigs, Russian Tortoises and more! Bring your camera! Presented by Bur Mil Park.

3). NC Museum of Natural Sciences (http://naturalsciences.org/) The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh presents “Devil’s Food or Taste of Heaven” on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. Join Terry Graedon, medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy, and Kit Gruelle, renowned pastry chef and certified chocoholic, as they discuss the history of chocolate, how the treatment of chocolate affects its flavor, and what recent research tells us about the health effects of chocolate. Low-fat and low-sugar chocolate samples will be available for tasting.

4). Museum of the Cape Fear (http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/) On Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 pm., the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will host a talk by Jack Wells of Fayetteville, on Civil War ammunition and the Fayetteville Arsenal. This free event will feature a discussion on the various cartridges and the manufacturing techniques used during the 19th century, as well as a slide show and display of cartridges and artifacts from Jack’s collection. Between 1862 and 1865 the Fayetteville Arsenal produced hundreds of thousands of small arms cartridges and artillery projectiles for the Confederacy.

5). Transylvania Heritage Museum (http://www.transylvaniaheritage.org/) is pleased to present “Living off the Land: Economic Impact of Our Natural Resources” as their main exhibit, opening May 23, 2009 and running through May 2010. From beaver skin hats to moonshine to mountain laurel pipes, Transylvania's economic history has always depended upon its rich natural resources. Exhibits, photos, artifacts and special presentations will interpret the amazing variety of endeavors that were necessary for survival and are necessary for continued progress.

6). Orange County Historical Museum (http://www.orangenchistory.org/) presents “Gardens To Grow” exhibit on May 29 6-9 p.m. Come to the Museum and celebrate the arrival of spring! Come see “The Garden” a temporary exhibit on the Cedar Grove Garden. This temporary exhibit is from the Friends of the Carrboro Library and made possible by the Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Contemporary Art Museum.

7). Cameron Art Museum (http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/) presents “Gallery Talk: Nicholas Batounis, sculptor on Sun. June 7, 2:00 p.m. Program admission is by donation. Explore exhibitions from an area artist's point of view in this informal tour and discussion with sculptor Nick Batounis. Batounis received his BA from UNC Wilmington and his MFA from UNC Greensboro. He teaches art at South Brunswick High School and resides on Oak Island.

8). Fort Fisher State Historic Site (http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm) Hear the cannons boom at Fort Fisher as part of a new program, “Cannoneers: “Load, Ready, Fire!” On Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., costumed staff and volunteers will fire the 12 lb. bronze Napoleon cannon and teach the public about Civil War artillery. Cannon firings will be at 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

9. High Point Museum (http://www.highpointmuseum.org/) will host a Community Heritage Day May 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Demonstrations in the historical park include weaving, spinning, blacksmithing, and woodworking. Guilford Militia and Alexander’s Battalion Field Hospital also will be in the park. Hands-on activities and special performances will be held throughout the day in the Museum.

Monday, May 18, 2009

1). Asheville Art Museum: The Asheville Art Museum invites you to take an Art Break on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Art Breaks are free with Museum Membership or admission. Join us for an exciting and informative Art Break with special guests Ted and Ann Oliver, owners of Oliver’s Southern Folk Art, as they speak about Beverly Buchanan’s work and the art of collecting Folk Art.

2). Tryon Palace presents “African American Lecture,” Guest Speaker: Kenneth R. Janken, Ph. D.: “The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement in World War II” on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Free, Visitor Center Auditorium. When most Americans think of the Civil Rights Movement, we have in mind a span of time beginning with the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed segregated education and culminated in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Americans absorbed images of hopeful, disciplined, and dedicated young people shaping their destinies. The modern civil rights movement is rooted in the era of World War II and the black freedom struggle for victory over fascism abroad, and racism and white supremacy at home.

3). Weatherspoon Art Museum: The Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNC-Greensboro is pleased to present the exhibition “Eileen Neff: Between Us,” which opens to the public on Sunday, May 24, 2009. “Eileen Neff: Between Us” presents a selection of the artist's work from the last decade. Trained as a painter, Neff initially used the camera to produce pictures that she incorporated into early photo-objects and installations.

4). The Brock Historical Museum of Greensboro College is pleased to announce the creation of a new online project entitled "J.C. Price School: If these walls could talk, an oral history project." The J.C. Price School site examines the historical and educational significance of one of Greensboro's early African American schools through the use of archival materials and oral history interviews.

5). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences: Rachel Carson’s love for the natural world and her fight to defend it are the focus of a new film, “A Sense of Wonder,” which shows at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Sunday, May 24 at 3:30 p.m. as part of a 150-city nationwide tour. The 55-minute film was shot in HD by Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler. Free.

6). Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site: Join the Exploring Joara Foundation and archaeologists Dr. David Moore (Warren Wilson College) and Dr. Tony Boudreaux (East Carolina University) on a tour of the Town Creek Indian Mound reconstructed village and museum to learn about the mound building Indians of the central Piedmont of North Carolina on Saturday, May 30th. Cost for the round-trip tour is $60.00 per person or $45.00 for members of Exploring Joara Foundation. Seats are limited.

7). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum: Drew Pullen, an authority on the Civil War on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, will give a free public presentation, “Flags Over Hatteras,” at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. Pullen will discuss the vital role Hatteras played during the Civil War, using drawings and journals of the period. He will also talk about activities planned for the 2011 Civil War Sesquicentennial on Hatteras Island.

8). Port Discover: Port Discover offers “Born or Hatched?” at the next Toddler Time, Thursday, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. Spring is the perfect time to study how animals come into the world. Are mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish born or hatched? Toddlers will play interactive games to reinforce their discoveries. Toddler Time is a science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

Monday, May 11, 2009

1). Asheville Art Museum: The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present “Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art” from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, August 23, 2009. The public is invited to an opening reception for the exhibition with regional artists on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. “Tradition/ Innovation,” a project of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Southern Arts Federation, features more than 100 artworks created by historical masters and artists living and working in the South today.

2). Mint Museum of American Art presents “Bob Trotman: Business as Usual,” on view at the Mint Museum of Art May 23 – November 14, 2009. The new exhibition puts the corporate workplace under a magnifying glass, and provides food for thought as the city of Charlotte finds itself at the epicenter of the banking crisis. Combining wood’s visual warmth with a startling sense of isolation, nationally acclaimed artist Bob Trotman intensely examines the minutiae of everyday life through his figurative sculptures.

3). High Point Museum presents “Early American Dancing in the Historical Park” on Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come try out some popular country dances of the late 18th and early 19th century. No experience necessary! All ages welcome.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher: N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Director Donna Moffitt has been recognized as a Woman of Achievement from the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs. Moffitt was one of 21 outstanding women, including several from the Wilmington area, selected for their significant contributions to the state of North Carolina.

5). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents a lecture by art historian John Hallmark Neff on Tuesday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. The title of the lecture is “American Idyll: Yankee Artists in Giverny.” Admission to the lecture is $5, free to members and students. The lecture is held in conjunction with the current Reynolda House exhibition, “American Impressions: Selections from the National Academy Museum,” on view through June 28, 2009. Reynolda House is the only venue for this exhibition outside of New York.

6). Ackland Art Museum: The Ackland Art Museum at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill presents the first major retrospective of collage and assemblage artist Aldwyth. Organized by The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston, “Aldwyth: Work v. / Work n. - Collage and Assemblage 1991- 2009” (May 31 - September 13, 2009) will make its premiere at the Ackland before traveling to several other museums throughout the country.

7). Museum of the Cape Fear: On Saturday, May 16 -- Armed Forces Day -- the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will pay tribute to our nation’s military with the special event Armed Forces Living History Day. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this free event will feature living history presentations, educational programs and entertainment. Re-enactors representing different time periods will bring to life the history of the United States military. Guest speakers will discuss battlefield archeology and the history of African Americans in our armed forces at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.

8). The Bascom: Registration is going on now for a ceramics workshop taught by master artist Mark Hewitt, one of 14 highly respected artists-in-residence teaching at The Bascom this year. Hewitt’s “Mud, Sweat and Tears: Making Fine Functional Pots” will be held June 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bascom’s new six-acre campus.

9). Tryon Palace presents “South Lawn Concert Series: Craven Community Concert Band” on Sunday, May 17, on the South Lawn. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.; concert begins at 6:15 p.m. Free. Pack a picnic and join your family and friends for the first concert of our 2009 South Lawn Concert Series. For this performance by our very own Craven Community Concert Band, bring chairs and blankets, but please leave pets and alcoholic beverages at home.

10). Johnston County Heritage Center has a new exhibit about the 1930s entitled "A Few Good Things from a Great Depression," featuring examples of Johnston County progress in public works and business in spite of hard times. For instance, important Smithfield important landmarks that took shape as Depression-Era projects include the Howell Theatre (a product of private enterprise) and the American Legion Hut, or "Log Cabin" (a federal public-works project).

11). Fayetteville Museum of Art presents a new exhibit: “North Carolina Living Treasures 2009: Cynthia Bringle and Norman Schulman” (May 16- July 12). These living treasure artists explore the transformative nature of clay as it presents itself both conceptually and literally. From Grandfather Mountain to the North Carolina coast, artists living their legacy have been honored since 1986 with the North Carolina Living Treasures designation by the Museum of World Cultures. Join us on May 15th from 6-8 p.m. for our Premiere Party and opening reception to engage at our gallery talk, enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and the delightful music of Gray Young.

12). Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site: Discover how Civil War soldiers lived in camp and what role the enlisted man played in battle during Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site’s annual summer living history program, scheduled for Saturday, May 16. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., period-costumed living historians from the 53rd Pennsylvania and 18th North Carolina will show how soldiers in this divisive war made meals, maintained their weapons and uniforms, trained for battle, withstood heat and cold, and much more. This free program is open to the public.

13). Cape Fear Museum: About 12,000 years ago, long before Roanoke’s Lost Colony or the Egyptian pyramids, people lived and thrived in what is now North Carolina. About 60 years ago, archaeologists began to unearth artifacts from those early inhabitants along the banks of the Yadkin River in North Carolina’s Piedmont. On Friday, May 15, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science will open “The Ancient Carolinians,” an exhibit exploring the discovery of North Carolina’s earliest known culture.

Monday, May 04, 2009

1). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher: The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has a new treasure in its collection. A female albino alligator, currently in Aquarium quarantine, awaits completion of her new home in the Cape Fear Conservatory. A new exhibit, expected to open on May 29, is under development for the alligator. At approximately four years old, the albino alligator is almost five feet long and weighs about 19 pounds.

2). Asheville Art Museum: The Asheville Art Museum invites you on a “Photography Hike” with John Dickson on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Walk in the footsteps of George Masa as experienced hiker and photographer John Dickson leads us on an easy hike through Pisgah Forest or on the Blue Ridge Parkway and teaches us how to capture the mountain landscape through the viewfinder.

3). Greensboro Children’s Museum: The Greensboro Children’s Museum is proud to announce a special pre-publication book launch of “The Last Child,” the new novel from bestselling local author John Hart. The event, a national book launch Dinner Gala, will occur Monday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the Greensboro Country Club, 410 Sunset Drive, Greensboro and will include a “Sneak Peek” discussion with Hart about the new book. Tickets are $150 per person and include one pre-released, signed and dated copy of “The Last Child.” Proceeds from the event will support The Greensboro Children’s Museum.

4). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents “Artist's Talk: Michael Townsend” on Thursday, May 7, 6:30 p.m, Weatherspoon Art Museum Auditorium. Artist Michael Townsend talks about blurring the boundaries between public art and private spaces while highlighting examples of public art projects he has organized throughout the world. Free and open to the public; limited seating.

5). Cape Fear Museum: From Harlem Globetrotters to Wimbledon Champions, the Lower Cape Fear region has produced its fair share of world-class athletes. An exhibit celebrating a “score” of local sports greats opened at Cape Fear Museum of History and Science on Friday, May 1. The exhibit will showcase artifacts and memorabilia from members of the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame. In all, 19 sports figures are represented in the new exhibit, which will remain open through the summer.

6). Transylvania Heritage Museum: National Preservation Month presentation, "This Place Matters," featuring historic buildings in Transylvania County. Saturday, May 9, 1 - 2 p.m. 40 West Jordan St., Brevard, NC. Contact heritage@citcom.net or 828-862-8228 for more information.

7). Cameron Art Museum presents an exhibition opening: “Kaleidoscope: Changing Views of the Permanent Collection” on Thursday, May 14. Members' Preview: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Public Opening: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Explore the new exhibition “Kaleidoscope: Changing Views of the Permanent Collection” featuring art from the Cameron Art Museum's collection. This exhibition features selected paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photographs, furniture, decorative arts and other objects drawn from the museum's permanent collection.

8). Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site: Mindful of preserving our dwindling natural resources, experts restoring the Aycock Birthplace farm house after fire damage last year are using reclaimed lumber harvested from the old Imperial Tobacco Company warehouse in Wilson in the project. Like the Aycock family who lived on this farm during the late 19th century -- who almost certainly used everything and wasted nothing -- the professionals rebuilding the home decided to use old heart pine to repair the historic building with a naturally aged look, instead of buying new wood and trying to make it “look old.”

9). Hunter Library, Western Carolina University: “Craft Revival: Shaping Western North Carolina Past and Present” is a website and a digital archive about the Craft Revival in western North Carolina. The website features a searchable database of Craft Revival objects, as well as information about the artists, crafts, the history of the period and its impact on western North Carolina. A "Resources" page includes lesson plans, bibliographic information and related links. Craft Revival Project staff invite you to visit the website and provide feedback via one of two questionnaires linked to the home page at http://craftrevival.wcu.edu/.

10). Kings Mountain Historical Museum: The Kings Mountain Historical Museum is excited to announce the upcoming exhibit “Toys and Games That We Loved,” opening on May 12th. The exhibit will run through the summer closing on August 22, 2009. Featured will be toys and games pre 1960 with several waiting to be played such as: Chinese checkers, jacks, marbles, checkers, and card games; also coloring.

11). The Bascom: Those who attend the Collective Spirits wine festival at The Bascom this month will also get their fill of two opening exhibitions. Beyond the art of wine and the art that is The Bascom’s stunning new campus, “Cheers! Handcrafted Glass Stemware and Instruments of Appalachian Music” will open at The Bascom for Collective Spirits, set for May 29-30. “Cheers!” features a grand gathering of drinking vessels focusing on the accomplishments and “voices” of individual artists and many other contemporary glass craftsmen. This exhibition closes June 6.