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.