ncmuseums

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

Monday, July 25, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 25, 2011

1). High Point Museum presents “Arts Splash Concert in the Historical Park” on Sunday, August 7, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Enjoy the bluegrass music of Zephyr Lighting Bolt while relaxing in the Historical Park! Brought to you by the High Point Area Arts Council and the High Point Museum. Drop-in – free.

2). Asheville Art Museum presents “Lunchtime Art Break: A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets” on July 29th – 12noon to 1pm. FREE Admission. The Museum presents a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests. Join us on July 29 as we hear from Museum Curator, Frank Thomson about “A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets”, on view at the Museum through Sunday, January 8, 2012. Held in the Holden Community Gallery, this Art Break is free and open to the public.

3). Cape Fear Museum presents “Dynamic Dinosaurs”, Saturday, August 6, 13, 20, 27 from 1-4pm – ages 5-12. Dinosaurs big and small, come meet them all! From the Apatosaurus to the Velociraptor, explore bones, teeth and skin casts of creatures long extinct. Investigate “living fossils” and make a skeletal “dino” model to take home.

4). N.C. Museums Council The North Carolina Museums Council recently established a Southeastern Museums Conference Annual Meeting Registration grant. One full, paid registration to the October 25-27 Annual Meeting in Greenville, SC will be awarded. Deadline for applications: August 15. Forms available on NCMC web site.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music in the Courtyard: Lisa and Galen, acoustic” on Thurs. Aug. 4, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Enjoy Wilmington musicians Lisa & Galen performing original acoustic music to showcase their range of talents and musical interests in a departure from their jazz sets. Lisa Rankin: vocals, piano, keybass, flute, recorder, tin whistle, harmonica, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars. Galen Hunsucker: acoustic and electric guitars, vocals. Music held outdoors weather permitting, inside if not.

6). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Family Science Olympiad at Marbles” on Saturday, August 6th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. Grab your family for a friendly competition in the Sport of Science! Bring your brain power and challenge yourself in a series of interactive and hands-on challenges. Don’t crack under pressure as you build an egg drop device or blow a fuse as you explore snap circuits, but do expect to be blown away as you turn wind into power and send paper airplanes a flyin’! Be a Marbles Medalist during the first Family Science Olympiad with the North Carolina Science Olympiad.

7). Museum of the Albemarle Sign up for the Museum of the Albemarle’s program “What is a C-130,” Tuesday, July 26 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Participants will learn the facts about the U.S. Coast Guard’s C-130 airplane manufactured by Lockheed Martin; envision the size of the C-130 by measuring the wingspan and length of the fixed wing plane; talk to the crew of a C-130 from Air Station Elizabeth City, and make a C-130 model with the assistance from local artist Doug Lane using creative art. Pre-registration and a supply fee are required.

8). The Bascom Dine at Lakeside Restaurant on Wednesday, July 27th and help The Bascom simply by having dinner. Lakeside will generously donate 15 percent of the gross sales from the evening's supporters to the art center. You get the chance to have a great dinner from acclaimed chef Marty Rosenfield and support The Bascom. When making your reservation, be sure to mention you are dining to support The Bascom. To make a reservation, call Lakeside directly at (828) 526-9419.

9). HandsOn! presents “Comedy Camp”: August 2 – 5, grades rising 1st – 6th, *$35 ($30-members). Laughter is the best medicine! Learn about the health benefits of good, clean humor! Work on presentation, timing, puns & homophones and practice these concepts by acting. Comedy Presentation at 12:30 on the last day. Cost to attend the performance: $5.00. This camp is taught by Dr. Dennis who generously donates his time, expertise and energy.

10). Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts presents “Releasing the Spirit: Faces of the Theatre” – portraits by Carmen L. de Jesus, running from July 26 to September 3, 2011. Artist reception on Sunday, July 31st from 3-5pm.

Monday, July 18, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 18, 2011

1). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher can now come face-to-face with an astonishing marine creature of prehistoric time, with the newly opened exhibit, “Megalodon: Diving with North Carolina's Ultimate Predator.” The exhibit opened to the public for the first time on July 1. Megalodon was a huge whale-eating shark that ruled the seas from about 20 million to two million years ago. Although the species is now extinct, it virtually comes to life again at the Aquarium, thanks to an engaging suite of interactive creative elements.

2). Asheville Art Museum presents “ArtFacts: On Display with Dean Butckovitz” on July 25th – 5:30pm. Admission is $10 for Museum Members and $12 for non Members (includes refreshments). ArtFacts is the Museum's newest educational program series (launched May 2011). Focused on the practice of collecting fine art, this four-part series explores all aspects of collecting from the basics to beyond. Advance reservations are requested, but not required.

3). North Carolina Maritime Museum Kayak Local Waters. Basic instruction and invigorating paddle through a salt marsh. Reservations are required. There is a $ 40 fee, cost includes trip and kayak rental. The fee is $20 if you provide your own kayak. July 19, 9 am- 2 pm (Rain date July 20).

4). Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre Abstract and traditional painting, elegant craftsmanship in woodworking, sculpture and fibre, and arresting photography bespeak the range of artistic expression in the “54th National Juried Art Show” on display now through September 25, 2011 at the Maria V. Howard Arts Center in downtown Rocky Mount. Forty four artists from 13 states were chosen from over 300 entries by Juror David Edgar.

5). Page-Walker Arts & History Center in partnership with PAQA-S present: “ARTQUILTS repurposed”. “Repurposed” is the theme of this year’s Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South members' only show. “Repurposed” offers an impressive and highly creative collection of contemporary art quilts from artists throughout the region. Exhibition continues through Aug 21st. For more visit www.artquiltersouth.org.

6). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours”. Join us for an exciting 90 minute, lantern-lit walking tour through Mount Airy's streets and learn about its historic past. You will hear about 13 of our "less-mortal" friends and some of Mount Airy's "final" resting places. Tours are held every Friday and Saturday at 8pm and due to the popularity of these tours, pre-paid reservations are required.

7) Cape Fear Museum Explore life after dark in the Lower Cape Fear as you creep through Cape Fear Museum on Saturday, July 23 from 6-10:00 PM. Find out what it’s like to meet a pirate as Tour Old Wilmington leads you on a flashlight tour. Sit down with Two Sisters Bookery to hear ghost stories of the Cape Fear Coast. Meet nocturnal amphibians and find out what non-nocturnal creatures do at night with the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Dissect an owl pellet and make your own glowing firefly to take home and more!

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts PLEIN AIR workshop, July 30-31: Create expressive paintings working outside with colors that are indigenous to the beautiful surroundings of the Appalachian Mountains. Limited time special 15% OFF workshop registration for High Country residents! Just call 828-262-3017 for more information!

9). N.C. Museums Council The North Carolina Museums Council recently established a Southeastern Museums Conference Annual Meeting Registration grant. One full, paid registration to the October 25-27 Annual Meeting in Greenville, SC will be awarded. Deadline for applications: August 15. Forms available on NCMC web site.

10). SECCA While memories of the first Crossroads Concert still linger fresh in our minds here at SECCA, we are very excited by the second installment of our popular series to be held next Saturday, July 23, beginning at 5pm. This Crossroads Concert series explores the musical legacy of soul, funk and R&B from a variety of generations and locales. Headlining the concert is Charles Walker & The Dynamites, a Nashville-based nine-piece fronted by Walker, a soul veteran who opened for James Brown at the Apollo Theater and shared bills with Jackie Wilson, Etta James and Wilson Pickett, among many more.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 11, 2011

1). SECCA Get ready for a soul-satisfying night of funk and R&B music as the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA) and Foothills Brewing present “Crossroads @ SECCA #002”, the second installment of its brand new Crossroads concert series launched earlier this year. “Crossroads @ SECCA #002” will take place on Saturday, July 23, from 7-10 p.m. at the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium, SECCA’s intimate 300-seat venue. Headlining the concert will be Charles Walker & The Dynamites, a Nashville-based nine-piece fronted by Walker, a soul veteran who opened for James Brown at the Apollo Theater and shared bills with Jackie Wilson, Etta James and Wilson Pickett, among many more.

2). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Visitors to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher this summer will find a new exhibit in the Exotic Aquatics Gallery. Aquarium staff has added white-spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata) to its collection. The Exotic Aquatics Gallery traditionally features non-native marine species. Guests can learn more about the life cycle of a jellyfish while viewing these beautiful animals. This exhibit furthers the Aquarium’s objective to educate the public on the importance of well-balanced ecosystems.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is honored to welcome back renowned pianist John Cobb, who will once again perform at a very special Pianoforte recital on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Gallery 6. Tickets to this event are $6 for Museum Members and students and $8 + Museum admission for Non-Members. His performance is part of the Museum’s distinguished Pianoforte Concert series.

4). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents exhibition: "Henri Matisse: In Two and Three Dimensions (Jul 2 - Oct 2, 2011). An artist whose radical style left a lasting mark on modern art, Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954) was attracted to the female human body and used it as one of the primary themes in his work. In paintings, works on paper, and sculptures, the artist created figures that are emotionally powerful without necessarily being anatomically detailed or accurate. This exhibition presents side-by-side displays of two- and three-dimensional work by Matisse to showcase how the artist linked themes, imagery, and processes over the course of his career.

5). Transylvania Heritage Museum
presents “4th Friday Gallery Walk at the Museum” on July 22, -- Music by "Main Street Mary and The Honky Tonk Boys". Handcrafts on the Lawn: Local crafters demonstrate & sell. Check out the latest exhibits in the Museum. Heritage Gifts shop will also be open offering many locally made items. Suggested donation $5 adults, $2 children.

6). Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre Rocky Mount photographer Charlie Killebrew spent 55 years photographing events, disasters, and everyday life. Selections from the Braswell Memorial Library Killebrew Collection are on display at the Maria V. Howard Arts Center in downtown Rocky Mount now through September 11, 2011. The exhibit samples an extraordinary visual documentation of the latter half of the 20th century in North Carolina’s twin counties.

7). The Bascom presents “Grounded in Nature: Paper”, a three-dimensional handcrafted sculpture by Charleston based paper artist Jocelyn Chateauvert that runs through September 4. During a visit to the exhibition, visitors are invited to enter the artist’s wonderful creative world and make your own sculpture. Paper samples will be provided. This exhibition in the Loft Gallery, is sponsored by Frances Bunzl.

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Join one of the Turchin Center’s volunteer docents for a 30–45 minute tour of a current exhibition every Saturday during the month of July at 2pm. These free “mini tours” will focus on different aspects or components of an exhibition or artist. Topics include: Girls, Derangements and Distortions, Selections from the Turchin Center Permanent Collection, Chromata: Laura Berman, and An Appalachian Vision.

9). Port Discover Spend the morning in our “Kids Grow” garden exploring the basic needs of plants. We’ll get your hands dirty and then enjoy yummy snacks made from the garden during “Chef Me,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 am. Remember your sunblock! Programs in “Kids Grow” garden is made possible by a grant from AgCarolina Financial. 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.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 5, 2011

1). Weatherspoon Art Museum Marking the sixth year anniversary of the devastation that swept through New Orleans, the Weatherspoon presents a video installation, “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” (2008) by Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla. The artistic duo creates metaphors for political and social issues through alternative interpretations of cultural materials, particularly music and musical instruments. “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” integrates film footage shot by the artists in New Orleans and the Mississippi delta, where hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in 2005, with the rhythmic drumming of jazz. Through Sept. 18th.

2). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music in the Courtyard: El Jaye Johnson & The Port City All-Stars”, on Thurs. July 7, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. El Jaye Johnson & The Port City All-Stars will feature the drum and percussion section extensively and explore a "mixed bag" of genres, including jazz, blues, funk, R&B, reggae, Latin, Caribbean, and Afro-Cuban all intertwined with simple melodic phrasings and complex syncopation. Simply put, "A mind boggling, toe-tapping, hand-clapping, musical experience." Music held outdoors weather permitting, inside if not.

3). North Carolina Collection Gallery
In 1939, world-renowned etcher Louis Orr embarked on what came to be a twelve-year undertaking to produce a set of fifty-one etchings of important North Carolina buildings and sites. Marking the sixtieth anniversary of the set’s completion, the NCC Gallery presents an exhibition of 30 of the etchings, with original drawings, etching plates, and letters and photographs documenting the project.

4). N.C. Museum of History The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh launched the online exhibit “A Change Is Gonna Come: Black, Indian and White Voices for Racial Equality” on Friday, July 1. Accessible at www.nccivilrights.org, the exhibit highlights the experiences of courageous Tar Heels in the struggle for equal rights for all North Carolinians. Focusing mainly on the years 1865 to the 1980s, the exhibit gives voice to the individuals and communities who challenged a system of oppression based on race.

5). SECCA presents “People’s Biennial” from July 9 – September 18, 2011. Organized & Toured by Independent Curators International (ICI), Curated by Harrell Fletcher & Jens Hoffmann. “People’s Biennial” is a bright, lively and irreverent platform to address the question of what being an “outsider” means today as an artist, an institution and a city. Featuring unique artists from five cities across the United States (Portland, OR; Rapid City, SD; Winston-Salem, NC; Scottsdale, AZ; Haverford, PA), this nationally-touring exhibition celebrates creativity that lives vibrantly, but inconspicuously outside the mainstream.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA presents “Navigate: Battleship 101” a NC Dept. of Cultural Resources 2nd Saturday Program on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Ship volunteers stationed throughout the ship will engage visitors in specific subjects and areas including: gunnery, radar, sickbay, galley, engineering, and daily shipboard life. Free with Battleship admission.

7). The Bascom Photographer Greg Newington returns to The Bascom for “On Assignment: Photographing Local Color” on Friday and Saturday, July 8-9. Student will experience a day in the life of a photojournalist, starting with receiving their assignment in a sealed envelope and returning with the finished photo for the “editor desk”. “Grounded in Nature: Paper”, a three-dimensional handcrafted sculpture by Charleston based paper artist Jocelyn Chateauvert runs from July 1-September 4. This exhibition in the Loft Gallery, is sponsored by Frances Bunzl.

8). North Carolina Maritime Museum presents “Shackleford Banks: Horses, Hiking and Heritage”. Experience Outer Banks heritage and wildlife with a guided hike on Shackelford Island. Reservations are required. There is a $25 fee.

9). Port Discover Naturalists with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences bring live animals to Port Discover for “Animal Tracks and Signs,” Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, July 9 at 11:00 am. Learn how to use your senses to uncover the different clues left behind by animals and meet some of the animals you might encounter in your own backyard.

10). Historic Halifax State Historic Site Since eating good food and visiting friends are two popular North Carolina pastimes, Historic Halifax State Historic Site suggests that families pack a picnic when they come to visit July 9 in the second installment of the popular three-part program “2nd Saturdays.” The theme for July is “Market Day.” Participants include: local farmers offering produce and food items; James Pender, with handcrafted tin items; Ellis Vaughan, with cane and rush chair seats; and Lynn Boyd, a local author whose book, “The Awakened Heart,” is set in Halifax at a market fair.

11). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Toast and Jam” on Saturday, July 9, 5 – 7 p.m. Good Wine and Good Music all set in the museum’s picturesque courtyard. This FREE monthly program sponsored by B & L Custom Jewelers is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month (May-October), from 5-7 p.m. It will showcase a number of the regions wineries as well as local musical talent. The wineries will be offering wine tasting and sales, along with a brief educational program about their wines between musical sets. An added feature this year will be live broadcasts by WSYD. Round Peak Vineyards will be the featured winery and blues music will be provided by Reggie Johnson.