ncmuseums

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

Monday, October 25, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 25, 2010

1). Tryon Palace presents Garden Lecture: Fallscapes – Adding Fall Interest to your Garden with speaker Helen Yoest on Saturday, November 6 at 10:00am. Fall gardening seems to be the forgotten season, yet it is the best time to be in the garden to enjoy the sights, sounds and colors. It is also the best time to prepare for the next growing season. Helen’s presentation will cover designing fallscapes, suggests plants and plant combinations to extend the growing season past first frost, and tackles tasks to be done in the fall to tuck your garden in for the winter and how to add more WOW for your spring garden.

2). Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Reynolda House Managing Curator Allison Slaby will lead a Gallery Talk on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Slaby organized the “Virtue, Vice, Wisdom & Folly” exhibition, which includes paintings from the Reynolda House collection and loans from several prominent museums in the southeast. The exhibition features 19th-century genre art, or scenes of everyday life, replete with advice on how to live a good life―or not.

3). Cameron Art Museum
Treat yourself to the hottest Halloween ticket in Wilmington – HAUNT at the Cameron Art Museum on October 29 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. The Museum’s wildly irreverent funraiser/ fundraiser returns this year better than ever: with dancing, music, performances by My Wonderful Machine, retro-dance performance by Forward Motion Dance Company, Fortune-Teller/comedian (Super Kids comedy troupe) Jonathan Guggenheim, fire-eating belly-dancing by Sweet Ma Ree and Mr. Serious, fabulous food, signature “Hauntini” drinks, and the much anticipated costume and haunted hair contest!

4). Asheville Art Museum
Join the Asheville Art Museum for Up For Discussion: A Continuous Broken Line with Mary Emma Harris and Amanda Burdan on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Asheville Art Museum. This event is $5 for Museum Members and students and $7 general admission. Black Mountain College scholar and author Mary Emma Harris and Amanda Burdan, the Tatum Curatorial Fellow at the Florence Griswold Museum, will talk about the history of the college and present lessons learned from Josef Albers that directed Sewell Sillman’s experimentation throughout his career as both teacher and artist.

5). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at noon Turchin Center staffers Brook Bower and Hank Foreman invite you to join them on a journey of discovery to Mexico's central mountain region. The two traveled there in April 2009 with private funds allocated to research a 2010 exhibition focusing on contemporary art from Mexico. The lecture will be located in the TCVA Lecture Hall. This event is presented as part of the Lecture Series program in conjunction with the Turchin Center exhibition In the Shadow of the Volcanoes: Contemporary Art from the Mountains of Central Mexico.

6). Port Discover
It’s CSI—Crime Scene Investigation—Port Discover Style, at Port Discover’s Afterschool Science, Thursday, October 28 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Joining Port Discover CSI will be Investigator Brent McKecuen from the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the State Bureau of Investigation who will demonstrate for children the science behind crime scene investigations.

7). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and Old North State Winery present the annual Boo Bash held at the Old North State Winery, 308 N. Main Street, Mount Airy. Food, Drink and "Live" Music by Rain Jacket. Tickets are $7 per body in advance and $10 at the castle door. Costumed boys and ghouls are welcomed. All admission proceeds benefit the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.

8). Museum of the Albemarle
The Museum of the Albemarle’s Junior Docents will present a Night at the Museum on Thursday, October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Come visit as characters from the Museum’s exhibits interact with guests giving them a glimpse of the story behind the artifacts. A special hands-on theme (making masks) will be available. This is a free family program.

9). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
Take a giant step back …in time, as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Fossil Fair on Saturday, November 6, 9am–5pm. The state’s largest event dedicated to fossils and paleontology returns to the Museum for the first time in three years, and features dozens of displays, activities and presentations about fossils from North Carolina and around the world. Free.

Monday, October 18, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 18, 2010

1). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture and book signing on Carolina Cottage: A Personal History of the House of Joseph Lane (Joel’s brother) by M. Ruth Little on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center at 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required.

2). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Come have fun aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA for the 2nd annual Batty Battleship's Halloween Bash, October 26 from 5:30 - 8:00pm. A lot of fun and no scares it is time for families to have fun and raise their hairs. But don't be frightened and don't you fret we promise we'll provide a zoo with animals to pet. With candy and sweets there's plenty of treats you'll be asking yourself what more should I eat. As everyone comes dressed in their Halloween best, there will be carnival festivities, games and much more did we mention also candy galore! Price is only $5 per person for a night that won't be a bore.

3). Port Discover
World of Webs is the theme of Port Discover’s next Toddler Time, Thursday, October 21 at 10:00 am. Children will learn all about the world of spiders and the beauty and wonder of their webs. Each child will make their own web creation to take home. 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.

4). Asheville Art Museum Asheville Art Museum is excited to announce its first Used Art Books Sale Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. We’ll have great prices and you’ll come away with some treasures for reading and inspiration. From contemporary to traditional art or architecture to crafts, there is a book for every interest!

5). SciWorks Join us for the next Science Café on Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00pm at Big Shotz Tavern in Winston-Salem. Science Cafés are informal talks given by a local expert at a local gathering place. At a café participants can... learn about the latest issues in science, chat with a scientist in plain language, meet new friends, speak your mind, and, talk with your mouth full! This month's program: “Hydrogen Peroxide, A Toxic Agent We Can't Live Without”.

6). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold History Tales: Make It, Take It on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 3:30 pm. Elementary age students accompanied by an adult will discover the most important mode of transportation before cars and bridges, read a book and participate in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public.

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will host Natural History Halloween event on Saturday, October 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Visitors can face their fears at educational stations featuring live animals like snakes, spiders, alligators and other critters from the Museum's Living Collections. Contestants must enter by p.m. and prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. There will also be several opportunities to win prizes by playing Halloween-themed games or make a spooky craft to take home.

8). Tryon Palace The Tryon Palace Commission officially opens the North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace on Friday, October 22nd. The Commission members will be joined by state government officials and other dignitaries at an opening program and dedication scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the main East Entrance to the new center. Preceding the opening program, the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps will perform. North Carolina History Center, Main (East) Entrance, Free Admission.

9). The Bascom On Saturday, October 30 at 8 pm, the community is invited to The Bascom to celebrate a "Spooky" Raku pottery firing under the Halloween moon. People are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy this great new Highlands' tradition. The event is free and open to all ages.

10). Fort Fisher State Historic Site On Saturday, Oct. 23, Fort Fisher State Historic Site waltzes back in time to recall the parties of Daisy Lamb, a Northern woman married to the fort’s Confederate commander, Col. William Lamb. Come experience the music of the era with traditional and popular musical performances throughout the day, featuring the highly-acclaimed Huckleberry Brothers, who will entertain visitors and reveal the finer points of 19th-century dance. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday, October 11, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 11, 2010

1). Port Discover Port Discover, in partnership with Elizabeth City State University, offers Weekend Science Lab Experience on Saturday, October 16 at 9:00 am at Elizabeth City State University. The program will offer 9 to 12-year-olds the opportunity to work with a scientist in the labs at ECSU and conduct a hands-on scientific experiment. The program is open to the public. Reservations are required.

2). Gregg Museum of Art & Design presents Ben Galata and Evan Lightner: Handcraft is Contemporary Design running October 14 to December 18, reception Thursday, October 14 from 6-8pm. Objects by ironsmith Ben Galata and furniture maker Evan Lightner appear together to demonstrate how meticulous detail forms and informs both their work. Galata creates furnishings, sculpture and architectural details in forged and fabricated steel, combining traditional blacksmithing processes with a contemporary design aesthetic.

3). Museum of the Albemarle Pre-Schooler Time will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, October 14, 2010 and Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will learn how boats were the main mode of transportation in the Albemarle region before bridges, read a book and participate in a hands-on activity.

4). Natural Science Center of Greensboro presents Astronomy Day on Saturday, October 16 / 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come out and enjoy a fun day of learning about the vast and beautiful universe we live in. View the sun safely through a telescope, explore space on a computer, see what the sky looked like on the day you were born and more! There will be free “Sky Tonight” shows in the OmniSphere at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Hosted by the Greensboro Astronomy Club. Free with admission/membership.

5). WCU Craft Revival Project Jackson County Visual Arts Association and Western Carolina University’s Craft Revival Project are sponsoring Hand + Craft: A Jackson County Celebration, a month-long, invitational exhibition held at Gallery One in Sylva. The exhibit, featuring 15 professional craftsmen, was organized in conjunction with the national American Craft Week. The exhibit remains open until Oct 24th.

6). Greensboro Children’s Museum Don’t miss The Greensboro Children’s Museum’s 1st annual Harvest Hoedown on Saturday, October 16, 2010 , 5-8pm. It’s an evening of BBQ and bluegrass for the whole family. Pull out your overalls, boots, and hats and we’ll get down at the 1st Annual “Harvest Hoedown”!

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences The lives of ants and humans are alike in some surprising ways. Among the animals, only ants and humans deal with issues of public health, market economies, highways and traffic rules, and warfare. Learn more about our remarkable similarities when Mark W. Moffett discusses his new book, “Adventures Among Ants”, at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh, Tuesday, October 19 at 7pm. Free.

8). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Space is filling up quickly at The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s eighth annual Trick or Treat Under the Sea on Wednesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 28. Businesses and individuals still have time to purchase a booth and have their product seen by over 3,000 visitors. The event, also known as TOTUS, features indoor trick-or-treating for children from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

9). Guilford College Art Gallery in Greensboro is pleased to present the exhibition What I Keep: Photographs of the New Face of Homelessness and Poverty by Susan Mullally. Her photographic series explores “ideas of class, race, ownership, value and cultural identification.” Collaborating with the Church Under the Bridge, which has been meeting under Interstate 35 in Waco, Texas, for 16 years, Mullally asks members, most of whom are struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental illness or poverty-what he or she keeps and why it is valued. Exhibition runs Oct. 8 - Dec.10 and is free and open to the public.

10). Alamance Battleground A colonial blacksmith working at a forge, a militiaman firing a musket and a colonial housewife preparing a meal over an open fire -- these and other demonstrations of colonial life can be seen at Alamance Battleground State Historic Site in Burlington during its Colonial Living Week, Oct. 11-15. More than 1,800 students from across North Carolina will attend this free public program, occurring daily from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Organized groups are asked to make reservations. The event will offer plenty of hands-on activities for all.

Monday, October 04, 2010

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 4, 2010

1). Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts On Friday, Oct. 8, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) will open an exhibition that surveys the work of a provocative young group of North Carolina artists titled NCNC - North Carolina New Contemporary. This exhibition showcases eight artists from across the state working in a style that combines traditions of art history, painting and sculpture with urban art practices, graffiti, advertising, animation, video games and comic books.

2). Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens presents Emancipation Communities: North Carolina Contraband/Refugee Camps during the American Civil War with guest speaker Michelle Lanier on Thursday, October 7, 7:00 p.m. Enslaved African-Americans saw the Civil War as a thoroughfare to freedom, humanity and self-determination. By foot, by boat and by wagon, those held in bondage sojourned to environs called James City, Roanoke Island and Freedom Hill. This lecture will describe and define the concept of the Emancipation Community and the radical distinctions between the notions of “contrabands” and “refugees”.

3). Cape Fear Museum presents SciFest on Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit hands-on activity stations throughout the Museum and conduct experiments with local scientists. Find out why there are rocks in your toothpaste. Figure out what happens to your trash. Learn to predict the weather. Discover the amazing ways you use science and technology every day – sometimes without even knowing it.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Need something to do with the kids while on their fall break? Sign them up for the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Reptiles and Amphibians AquaCamp! AquaCamp is a day long, fun-filled camp where children can interactively learn about aquatic animals and the environment. Reptiles and Amphibians AquaCamp will be held Thursday, October 14 from 8:30AM - 3:00PM.

5). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts presents, along with Catherine Smith Gallery, Michael Rush, The War of the Rose: A Cautionary Tale. As a part of the Visiting Artists Lectures, Michael Rush will speak about the recent events that occurred at Brandeis University's Rose Art Museum. The decision made by the university to close the museum and sell the collection caused an international uproar. Please join us for this free event to be held Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 from 7-8pm in the Lecture Hall.

6). Guilford College Art Gallery is pleased to host the opening reception for What I Keep: Photographs of the New Face of Homelessness and Poverty by Susan Mullally, October 8, 5-7 pm. Planned in conjunction with the Greensboro Public Library’s One City/One Book reading of “The Soloist,” by Steve Lopez, the exhibition and Mullally’s one-week residency will consider community, economic, and spiritual sustainability. Exhibition runs Oct.8 - Dec.10 and is free and open to the public.

7). Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History presents Local Author Book Signings at the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History. During the Autumn Leaves Festival, local authors will be signing their books in the Museum Shop. This event is free to the public however a small fee is charged to tour the museum. The museum will remain open until 7pm both Friday and Saturday during Autumn Leaves.

8). Cameron Art Museum presents Richard McMahan’s MINImuseum (on view October 8, 2010 - February 13, 2011). Experience the vast history of art in one exhibition! Self-taught artist Richard McMahan has spent the last 20 years re-creating over 1,100 works of art ranging in date from 30,000 BCE to the present. These tiny replicas of many of the most well-known artworks throughout history comprise “MINImuseum”. Some as small as postage stamps, his amazing works created using recycled materials include miniscule renderings from various periods and cultures around the world.

9). Ava Gardner Museum each year the Ava Gardner Museum celebrates Ava's life and career by hosting the Ava Gardner Festival. This annual event includes heritage tours, screenings of classic Ava Gardner films, and special exhibits. This year’s festival will kickoff during the Ava Gardner Festival Gala on Friday evening, October 8th and will continue Saturday, October 9th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2010 Ava Gardner Festival marks the 10th anniversary of the Ava Gardner Museum.

10). Bennett Place State Historic Site In excess of 125,000 “Tarheels” served in the Confederate Army, more than of any other state, and over 32,000 North Carolina soldiers died during the four-year Civil War. Re-enactors portraying these soldiers will demonstrate camp life during free programs at Bennett Place State Historic Site. Activities will include cooking, musket firings and talks on how North Carolina soldiers came to be known as “Tarheels” on Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.