ncmuseums

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

Monday, March 28, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 28, 2011 1). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA On April 6, 2011, crew members who served aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB55) in the 1940s will return to what was once their home in celebration of the Ship's 70th birthday along with her 50th anniversary of being moored in Wilmington, North Carolina. The historic event kicks off at 2:00 pm on April 7, 2011, as the Battleship and her crew welcome aboard the North Carolina Azalea Festival Official Party and Azalea Queen Heather French Henry. To hear more of their lives, join the Living History Crew all day on Saturday, April 9, aboard the Battleship and interact with World War II interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties & drills. 2). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum proudly presents an “Evening with Karen Karnes and Special Guests” on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets are $3 for Museum Members and $5 for non-Members. Please join us for a special evening talk with artist Karen Karnes, author/biographer Mark Shapiro, and other special guests. Karnes, a former Black Mountain College faculty member, is the subject of our exhibition “A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes”; Shapiro is the editor of the monograph of the same title. 3). Mint Museum The provocative humor and pioneering style of metalsmith Gary Lee Noffke will be exhibited in a major retrospective of the artist’s work at the Mint Museum Uptown this spring. Featuring significant examples of Noffke’s hollowware, flatware, and jewelry, the exhibition “Attitude and Alchemy: The Metalwork of Gary Lee Noffke” (2 April – 11 September 2011) not only captures the artist’s rebellious nature, but also examines his methodology, evolution of style, and impact on the field of metal. 4). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Heroic tales and valiant feats are depicted in images that reflect North Carolina’s dedication to the war in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” (www.nccivilwar150.com). Ashe County Public Library in West Jefferson will host the exhibit from April 1-28, sharing images and stories that capture the history and people of the Civil War (1861-1865). 5). Eden Historical Museum presents “Hats from the Attic”: A special exhibit brimming with style at the Eden Historical Museum beginning April 2, 2011. Open Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Also open during Olde Leaksville’s Ladies Night Out on Friday, May 6 from 6pm-8pm. Admission $1.00. Eden Historical Museum, 656 Washington Street, Eden, NC 27288. 6). Cape Fear Museum presents “Gallery Chat: B.W. Wells” on Sunday, April 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join photographic artist Freda Wilkins in Cape Fear Museum’s newest exhibit, “B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist”. Freda will chat informally with visitors about her work capturing digital images of and helping map out endangered species in the Big Savannah – a rare landscape unique to our region. Free with Museum admission. 7). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture on “Stitches in Learning – A Look at North Carolina Schoolgirl Needlework” by Susan Stallings on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required. Needlework, or fancy work, was an important part of a young woman’s education. This presentation will give an overview of schoolgirl needlework in North Carolina during the first-half of the 19th century including connections to descendants of the Lane family. 8). SciWorks What's ahead for NASA and space exploration in the coming decade? Spend an evening at SciWorks with Mike Lucas and find out! Mike Lucas, a Solar Ambassador with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will present a program on how NASA will select and fund future space exploration missions in the coming decade. SciWorks Auditorium, Thursday, April 7th from 7 - 8:30pm, free event! 9). Port Discover In conjunction with First Friday Art Walk, Port Discover offers “First Friday Kids Night-In,” on Friday, April 1 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During this event, parents can leave their children at Port Discover for some kid-friendly science programming while they enjoy an evening of downtown art-walking. Admission is $5 per child, with the children being ages 4-years-old and up. Space is very limited for this event so reservations are encouraged. 10). Cameron Art Museum presents “Quilt Presentation and Demonstration: Old Baldy Quilters” on Sun. Apr. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Come enjoy a fun afternoon learning about historical and contemporary quilt techniques with the Old Baldy Quilters from Bald Head Island. Group members will give a short illustrated presentation, show examples of their work, and more. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “From Heart to Hand: African-American Quilts from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.”

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 21, 2011

1). Historic Bath State Historic Site A new display at Historic Bath, “The Civil War at Home: Uncovering Local History Through Family Letters,” will highlight some of the ways readers can glean bits of local knowledge 150 years later through personal letters exchanged during this pivotal era in American history. Canteens, spectacles, binoculars and belt buckles from the Civil War era will be on display through 2011. Based on these letters, Historic Bath staff member Bea Latham will give a lecture titled “A Woman’s Place was in the Home: Learning about Life Through Civil War Letters” on April 16 at 10 a.m.

2). Museum of the Albemarle Help to celebrate Perquimans County, one of the 13 counties that make up the Albemarle area, Sunday March 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the artifacts in “Our Story, and Out of the Blue: Coast Guard Aviation that represent Perquimans County”. Period furniture craftsman Ben Hobbs and other guest speakers will be available to share personal reflections of Perquimans. Light refreshments will be served.

3). Gregg Museum of Art & Design presents “Trace Evidence”, a symposium held March 24-26 at NC State University's Gregg Museum of Art & Design located on the second floor of Talley Student Center. The symposium is in conjunction with “Traces: Mapping a Journey in Textiles and Pull of the Moon: Recent Work of Barbara Lee Smith”, January 20- May 14, 2011. Panels, fashion shows, and tours of galleries, museums and studios around the city are all part of a shared effort to probe the many ways textiles may be explored as an art medium.

4). N.C. Dept. of Cultural Resources The first families of North Carolina who helped define the state’s cultural diversity will be highlighted in a talk by Dr. Jeffrey J. Crow, Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the North Carolina Museum of the Albemarle, 501 S. Water St., in Elizabeth City. Telling two compelling stories, one about leader of the Tuscarora Tom Blunt, and the second about Abraham, an 18th-century Afro-Moravian, Crow will share the tale of a struggling Carolina colony at a critical moment in history.

5). Reynolda House Some artists strive to capture a beautiful scene in a landscape, an important person in a portrait, or an abstract idea or emotion on canvas. Unlike many of his contemporaries in the 1920s and ’30s, artist Thomas Hart Benton often chose to tell a story. In the new Reynolda House Museum of American Art exhibition titled “Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller,” visitors will see his large-scale oil masterpiece, “Bootleggers,” alongside three lithographs. The lithographs are based on scenes the artist created for the mural program of the Missouri State Capitol Building, “Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller” will be on view now through July 31, 2011. The exhibition is included in the cost of admission.

6). The Bascom There is so much to see and do at The Bascom this spring! Exhibitions include “Out Back and Down Under” that runs through March 25. Enjoy recent works by photographer Greg Newington that include images from his recent Aussie tour Down Under, and from Out Back on our mountain plateau. Also, through April 9, “Regional Art Organizations, Selected Works” is an exhibition initiative that supports the work of individual artists and arts organizations in the region surrounding our mountain plateau.

7). Port Discover Port Discover’s Afterschool Science presents “1 + 1 Equals Achoo!,” a kid’s health awareness program, on Thursday, March 24 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Dr. Maille Lyons, from Old Dominion University, presents the unique interactive game illustrating how sickness can spread through a community. Children will also learn what can be done to prevent the germs from spreading and stay healthy!

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents “First Friday at Marbles and Be a Star!” with NC Theatre on Friday, April 1- Museum open until 8:00pm. Put on your Sunday’s best for an evening of play and adventure with NC Theatre. Celebrate a fun-filled evening of Sunday hat-making, song and dance, and a sneak preview of NC Theatre’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” “Be a Star!” is sponsored by Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company.

9). Bennett Place State Historic Site
presents “Soldier Life at Bennett Farm”. Campfire cooking of salt pork and Johnny cakes, chopping firewood, mending uniforms and other aspects of the daily life of a Confederate soldier will be demonstrated on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, at Bennett Place State Historic Site. Re-enactors will encamp as “Tarheel” soldiers during free programs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial observance www.nccivilwar150.com.

Monday, March 14, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 14, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present the exhibition “An Inside View” with an opening reception on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This exhibition is in the Holden Community Gallery located on the first floor of the Museum and admission to this gallery is always free to the public. The exhibition will be on view through Sunday, July 10, 2011.

2). SERCA presents “14th Annual SERCA Meeting Atlanta, Georgia” on March 18-20, 2011 - “Integrated Pest Management and Identification”, presented by Patrick Kelley, Insects, Ltd. The Southeast Regional Conservation Association is pleased to present this workshop for conservators from many specialties and allied professionals. Pat Kelley, of Insects, Ltd., will lead the program on pest identification, abatement and control. The meeting will be held on the campus of Emory University at the R.W. Woodruff Library.

3). Historic Stagville State Historic Site presents “Christ Unchained: African-American Slaves and the Civil War Era” on March 20th from 2-4pm. To inaugurate Historic Stagville’s series of programming and events commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil
War in North Carolina the site welcomes Dr. Dan Fountain, an associate professor of history and the director of public history at Meredith College. Dr. Fountain’s recent publication, “Slavery, Civil War, and Salvation: African American Slaves and Christianity, 1830-1870” takes a new look at the African-American conversion experience and argues that only after emancipation did African- Americans more consistently turn to Christianity.

4). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Spadefish Gallery newest showcase is an exhibit entitled “High Surf Advisory” featuring works created by world acclaimed artist, Gary Cleaveland with Red Flag Surf Studio. Cleaveland is a self taught artist who uses the rhythm of ocean tides as his muse to create sensational works of art. “High Surf Advisory” will be on exhibit March 1 - April 28, 2011.

5). Bellamy Mansion presents “Arbor Day Celebration” on March 20th from 1-4pm. A family-friendly event featuring pine tree give-aways, tree care booklets, garden tours, green tours of the mansion, leaf and tree-themed games and coloring stations - something for everyone who wants to learn about the environment and the importance of urban forests.

6). Port Discover
To commemorate March being National Nutrition Month, preschoolers will learn about the true benefits of “An Apple A Day” at Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, March 17 at 10:00 am. Children will get to create a fun placemat for their dinner table. “An Apple A Day” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by the Albemarle Hospital Foundation. Toddler Time is a special 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.

7). N.C. Transportation Museum Steam will again soar over Spencer Shops as the N.C. Transportation Museum hosts the first ever “Spring Kick Off”, March 19. The museum will welcome the warmer season with a day full of music, food, games for the kids and train rides. One of the museum’s largest and most impressive structures will also be honored during the day’s events. The March 19 Spring Kick Off will feature two different trains. The museum’s regular passenger train will be pulled by a classic diesel engine, and special rides will be available on a train full of cabooses, pulled by the Flagg 75 steam locomotive.

8). Bentonville Battlefield Step back in time to see raw recruits answer the call for volunteers to join the Confederate army in late May 1861, at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. The program “The Union is Dissolved: Mustering Soldiers off to War” kicks off the Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration on March 19-20, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville Living History Program. Military re-enactors will portray enlisting officers, recruits and the army surgeons charged with certifying the health of the new soldiers at John Harper’s home just outside of the village of Bentonville.

9). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents “Identification” through May 14. Two solo exhibitions and a group show take a broad variety of approaches to the theme of contemporary identity and personal sovereignty. NC artist Katie Claiborne’s subtly expressive paintings pinpoint the delicacy of a human moment, hinting at the vast array of emotion beneath the surface of a gesture. SC artist Susan Lenz’s emotionally charged paintings with embroidered messages convey the importance of decisions as aspects of our individual characters. “You and Me,” a group show features the works of eleven regional artists who explore the question of individualism through self portraiture.

10). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Calling all Navy engineering enthusiasts! Join the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA for an in-depth program on the Battleship's power plant on March 19, 2011, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Learn in detail about the ship's eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers, four sets of General Electric turbines and reduction gears, steam and diesel powered service turbo generators, along with electrical distribution, water distillation, and steering mechanisms. Our program features classroom presentations and behind-the-scenes tour of engineering spaces.

Monday, March 07, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 7, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to host The Curator’s Bazaar Saturday + Sunday, March 12 + 13, 2011 in the Pack Place Community Gallery during regular Museum hours. Admission to the Bazaar is free. The Museum hosts a bazaar featuring books, frames, art and a variety of other special items for sale. Be sure to save the date and stop by to find wonderful and rare items. Curator Frank Thomson promises “a garden of earthly delights” and says the Bazaar “will feature a variety of affordable treasures including original works of art, quality frames, books and some surprises.”

2). High Point Museum presents “Southern Belles: Civil War Stories of Some Exceptional Women” on Sunday March 13, 2 pm to 4 pm. Location: Morgan Community Room, 1st floor High Point Public Library. Beautiful women in hoop shirts, sipping mint juleps while lounging on the veranda comes to mind when the phrase "southern belles," is mentioned. However, the hardships and tragedies faced by women during the Civil War resulted in some amazing tales of triumph, downfall, or incredible actions by women during that tragic period of American history. Heritage Research Center staff will present a program highlighting some of these stories.

3). Transylvania Heritage Museum Saturday, March 12, 1 – 2 pm, 2nd Saturday program is “The American Chestnut”, presented by Don Surrette. Learn about the efforts being made to restore this forest giant in our local area. Transylvania Heritage Museum, 189 W. Main St., Brevard. Reservations not required.

4). Cameron Art Museum presents “Quilt Demonstration: First Culture African American Quilting Circle” on Sunday, Mar 13th from 2:30 pm to 4:00 p.m. Want to find out more about the communal pleasures of quilting? Come join the members of the First Culture African American Quilting Circle as they give lively demonstrations in the Brown Wing at the Cameron Art Museum of their quilting techniques and answer questions.

5). Port Discover To commemorate March being National Nutrition Month, nutrition experts Angie & John Lamberson, registered dietitians and owners of Nutrition Pair, LLC., will present “Eat Right with Color” at Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, March 12 at 11:00 am. Kids will learn to "Eat from the Rainbow," participate in a Fruit & Vegetable "Fear Factor" challenge, and get to create Funky Fruit & Vegetable Art! “Eat Right with Color” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by the Albemarle Hospital Foundation.

6). Mint Museum A public symposium organized by the Mint Museum of Craft + Design will be part of a closing celebration for the inaugural exhibition, “Contemporary British Studio Ceramics: The Grainer Collection” during its final week on view. Featuring innovative discussions by leading international art scholars and artists on important trends and developments in contemporary British ceramics, the Symposium will be held Thursday, 10 March, 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Mint Museum Uptown (at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon Street) and is free with museum admission.

7). SECCA This spring The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is presenting an exhibition of international significance titled “Oscar Muñoz: Imprints for a Fleeting Memorial”. The traveling exhibition will open on March 12, 2011 with a Talk @ SECCA at 2 p.m. by visiting Colombian curator José Roca. A reception will follow immediately after with music and refreshments. “Imprints for a Fleeting Memorial” will be on view at SECCA through June 5, 2011.

8). Bellamy Mansion The Bellamy Mansion once again presents the “Art of the Table”, which will kickoff the Mansion's 150th anniversary celebration. The event runs from March 10-13 (kickoff March 10th 6-10:30pm) and showcases the talents of local artists, designers, florists and hotels and event planners, who create unique themed tablescapes throughout the mansion's 12 spectacular rooms. The Art of the Table celebrates the history and presence of one of the most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture in North Carolina and provides an opportunity to help usher the Bellamy into another 150 years in the Wilmington community.

9). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Junior Museum Explorers” on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. This program’s theme is Coastal North Carolina. Student will participate in a specialized gallery tour and a hands-on activity. Explore spring time in the Albemarle region. This is a free event and is suitable for middle school students.

10). Cape Fear Museum On Tuesday, March 8, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science will host “Colonial Stories”, a presentation about the area during the Colonial era. Beginning at 7 p.m., Museum Curator Barbara Rowe and Historian Janet Davidson will discuss and demonstrate how the Museum gathered a variety of historical records – letters, newspaper accounts, documents, etc. – to shape an understanding of the Lower Cape Fear region during the 18th century.

11). N.C. Maritime Museum presents the "Brown Bag Gam" free speaker series. Pack a snack and meet at the Museum during your lunch hour for informal presentations on topics of maritime history, culture and the natural environment. Presentations are at noon on most Wednesdays. The spring season beings March 9 with "A Pirate's Table," and continues March 16 with "Dolphins," and March 23 with "Modern Lapstrake Boatbuilding."