NCMC Events From Around the State… May 24, 2010

1). SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) has received a $75,000 grant from The James G. Hanes Memorial Foundation. The funds will be used to transform the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium into a 21st century learning environment. On May 4, SECCA received a $50,000 grant for the same purpose from The John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Foundation.

2). Outer Banks History Center You can write your own autobiography, save old family photographs, and learn to conserve quilts or oil paintings through the popular History in Your Hands preservation workshop series offered by the Outer Banks History Center. Bring your notebooks and questions to sessions from May 25-Oct. 26, on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 10 a.m., and experts will answer “how to” for family heirlooms, memorabilia and history.

3). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Visiting artist & guest lecturer Nihad Dukhan, Ph.D. presents Before Your Eyes: History and Styles of Arabic Calligraphy on Thursday May 27, 6-7pm. This lecture covers the history, development, techniques and styles of the art of Arabic/Islamic calligraphy. The lecture includes an extensive presentation of numerous prime examples of the different styles from different periods and different regions.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Surfing has come a long way since Europeans first observed it in the Pacific Islands in the 1700s. While surf culture continues to evolve, one thing remains the same: respect for the ocean. The art of surfing, called he’enalu in Hawaii, is the focus June 5-6, when the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher debuts Surf It, Save It: Aquarium Surf Festival.

5). Bentonville Battlefield Grab a camera, bring a sketchbook and pack a picnic, and head out to the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site’s free Summer Living History program, A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier, on Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m.− 4 p.m. Period-costumed living historians from the 18th NC/53rd PA and 1st NC/11th NC will demonstrate how soldiers made meals, maintained their weapons and uniforms, and trained for battle.

6). Asheville Art Museum Join the Asheville Art Museum for a guided tour of the exhibition Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia, Photographs by Tim Barnwell led by Tim Barnwell himself during an Art Break Friday, June 11, 2010 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Art Breaks are free with Museum Membership or admission.

7). Cameron Art Museum presents Forgotten Rural Black Women: What Happens When the Farms and Men Are Gone? with Ella Joyce Stewart on Sunday, June 13, 2:00 pm. Fifty years ago when NC’s agricultural landscape was flourishing, African American women were surrounded by strong-spirited black men who loved the land and their children. Now, all across NC, the farm equipment stands silent and there are echoes in the barns. Where did the farmers go?

8). Reynolda House Museum of American Art Reynolda House Museum of American Art will present a gallery talk designed to give visitors a more detailed understanding of a single work in the Reynolda House fine art collection on Thursday, May 27 at noon. Postdoctoral Fellow Jennifer Raab will lead a discussion of Worthington Whittredge’s well-loved masterpiece, “The Old Hunting Grounds” (1864). The gallery talk is free for members, and included in the cost of admission for non-members.

9). The Bascom World-renowned artist Patrick Dougherty is building a monumental outdoor site-specific sculpture at The Bascom beginning June 2, and he is welcoming volunteers interested in assisting him with his installation using small tree saplings. Work days are June 2-18 (or until installation is completed). There will be two shifts per day: 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Multiple time slots are available.