NCMC Events From Around the State… February 1, 2010

1). Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens presents The Palace by George from Saturday-Monday, February 20-22. Discounted admission will be offered to visitors named “George.” (ID required.) This weekend is focused on George Washington’s southern tour in 1791. The dancing assembly held in his honor will be interpreted, as well as assorted Washington-related artifacts, including a letter written by George Washington.

2). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents Video Screening: William A. Christenberry, Jr.: A Portrait on February 18, 25, Noon. This insightful, hour-long documentary follows artist William Christenberry as he travels to his home of Hale County, Alabama. He discusses the influences and genesis of his creative practice, describing his photographs, sculpture, and installation pieces as parts of one cohesive body of work rather than as separate entities.

3). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources When disaster strikes, rare books, precious quilts and historic documents are sometimes casualties. Planning can protect these and many other materials that are too valuable to lose in libraries, archives and museums. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources will hold a meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m., at the Greensboro Public Library to help employees of cultural organizations prepare for disaster. Even ordinary concerns like mold or humidity will be addressed.

4). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present Nouns: Children’s Book Artists Look at People, Places and Things from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, July 11, 2010. The public is invited to an Opening Reception held in conjunction with the simultaneous opening of the exhibition “Limners to Facebook: Portraiture from the 19th to the 21st Century” Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

5). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Check out the newest special exhibit, Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived, opening Saturday, February 13. At 60 feet long and more than 100 tons, “Carcharodon megalodon” was the most powerful fish that ever lived and a dominant marine predator. Visitors enter “Megalodon” through a full-sized sculpture of the creature’s massive jaws and discover this shark’s history and the world it inhabited, including its physiology and diet, relatives and neighbors, evolution and extinction. “Megalodon” runs through May 9, 2010.

6). Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) will present the exhibition From BMC to NYC: The Tutelary Years of Ray Johnson (1943-1967) beginning February 19th, 2010, and running through June 12th. In addition, we will host related programs, including a guest lecture, a film screening of the popular documentary “How to Draw a Bunny”, a collage workshop by Washington DC collagist Krista Franklin and an opening-night performance by Graham Hackett and Poetix Lounge. An exhibition catalogue will be available for purchase.

7). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents Genealogy Class on Tuesday February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 6. This course, taught by local genealogist Esther Johnson, will be a five-part series designed for the individual who is interested in researching his/her family tree. The first two classes will be held in the Museum Classroom from 7 - 8 pm.

8). SciWorks Celebrate Winter at SciWorks with WinterFest Saturday, February 13th, 11am - 5pm. Enjoy make-and-take craft activities, animal interviews, Planetarium Shows - lots of special activities featuring the science of this wonderful time of year - Winter!