NCMC Events From Around the State… May 17, 2010

1). Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens presents The State of Classical Music in Europe around the Time of New Bern’s Founding on Thursday, May 27 at 7:00pm. Dr. Kevin Moll will present a lecture focusing on the state of art and music during the period of New Bern’s founding, often referred to by historians as the later Baroque style. Tryon Palace Visitor Center Auditorium. Free.

2). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold History Tales: Make It, Take It on Tuesday, May 18 from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Elementary age students accompanied by an adult will discover how people welcomed warmth, the light of spring and summer by dancing around the May Pole and participate in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public. Call 252-335-1453 for more information.

3). Hunter Library Digital Collections The Cherokee Preservation Foundation awarded $50,000 to Western Carolina University to continue the Hunter Library’s documentation of Cherokee material culture for inclusion in its online Craft Revival collection. Under the direction of Associate Professor Anna Fariello, this third year of the project will focus on 20th century Cherokee carvers. The project includes research on collections at the Museum of the Cherokee and at Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual; assistance with collections care, inventory, and training; and uploading of digital images to the web.

4). Town Creek Indian Mound The final Astronomy Night at Town Creek Indian Mound before the summer break will feature one of the last great dark sky sites in the Piedmont. On Saturday, May 22, at 8 p.m. participants will be able to observe Earth’s largest satellite, the moon, during its waxing gibbous phase at the site.

5). Ackland Art Museum Museums rely on the generosity of donors and the Tyche Foundation gift represents one of the most significant contributions in the history of the Ackland Art Museum. This collection of fifty-one works of art will be unveiled in its entirety in the special exhibition Fortune Smiles: The Tyche Foundation Gift (May 23 – August 29, 2010). These works of art add new depth to the Ackland Collection. Accompanying the exhibition is an illustrated catalogue featuring art historical commentary on each piece, as well as nine original works of fiction by acclaimed author Allan Gurganus written in response to selected pieces.

6). Ava Gardner Museum In May 2010, the Ava Gardner Museum will unveil a new exhibit, The Most Photographed Woman in the World. At the height of her film career, Ava Gardner was the most photographed woman in the world with MGM sending out over 3,000 photos of her weekly. The exhibit will be unveiled at an opening reception, scheduled Thursday, May 20th from 5-7pm. The reception is free and open to the public.

7). N.C. Transportation Museum A look at North Carolina’s most identifiable piece of military history will be offered at the N.C. Transportation Museum Saturday, May 22 at 1 p.m. The museum offers the free program, An N.C Icon Brought to Life: Sea Stories of Sailors aboard the WWII Battleship North Carolina.

8). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present Writing a Children’s Book — A How-To with author and scholar Lester Laminack and illustrator Judy Love on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. This discussion is free with Museum Membership or admission and will be held in the Museum’s WNC Art Resource Center.

9). Cameron Art Museum presents Forward Motion Dance Company on Thurs. May 20, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Inspired by the exhibition “Recollection: The Past is Present” choreographer Tracey Varga and Forward Motion Dance Company (FMDC) created a new work with musical inspiration and guidance from composer, arranger, and performer Grenoldo Frazier. Founded in 2001 by dancer and choreographer Tracey Varga, FMD has a vision to find innovative ways to bring dance to the community, and cultivate an understanding and love of this art form.

10. The Bascom Two new exhibitions at The Bascom celebrate the art of ceramic instruments and the art of construction. In Mud to Music, Ceramic Instruments, gallery visitors have the chance to explore an array of instruments and sound sculptures made from clay by nationally recognized ceramic innovators. Guest-curated by Barry Hall and Brian Ramson, the exhibition is open through July 4 in the Loft Gallery. A reception with gallery talk and performance will be June 5 from 5–7 p.m. In An Artist in Construction, The Bascom pays homage to the designing, planning and fabrication common in the process of constructing pottery and architecture. Here, Dr. Patrick Taylor shares his images of The Bascom building project and ceramics from his studio. The exhibition closes May 29.