NCMC Events From Around the State… February 3, 2014

1). New Winston Museum (www.newwinston.org) will host a discussion Thursday, February 27, at Noon, featuring three leaders of prominent Winston-Salem arts institution’s. Mark Leach, Executive Director of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), and Allison Perkins, Executive Director of Reynolda House Museum of American Art, will participate in the discussion, and Corey Madden, Executive Director of Winston-Salem’s Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, will moderate. Participants will discuss what they see as the role of the contemporary art institution, along with various issues facing their establishments. Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions for what promises to be an enlightening and engaging look at a few of Winston-Salem’s cultural icons. This event is part of New Winston Museum’s 2014 Salon Series calendar. The monthly Salon Series features a broad range of local historians, artists, writers, musicians, crafts-folk and other specialists. This event is free and open to the public, and guests are welcome to bring their lunch. For more information, please contact Chris Jordan, Director of Education and Programming (336-724-2842, 101).

2). The Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield (www.avagardner.org) is co-sponsoring a special exhibit for Retroback 2014, an international classic film festival in Granada, Spain, Feb. 21-Mar. 2. This year’s festival is dedicated to Gardner, a North Carolina native who lived in Spain 1955-1968, and will feature screenings of her movies in Granada’s Isabel la Catolica Theater. Previous honorees include Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando. The museum is also collaborating with local and regional genealogical groups to offer a genealogy seminar entitled “Ava Gardner’s Kissing Kin,” Saturday, April 12, 9am-1pm. Participants will tour the museum, share stories and information on Gardner’s NC ancestors that can be used in future exhibits and presentations, and learn about the use of DNA in genealogical research from noted expert Cynthia Wells of Harrisburg, NC.    

3). Bellamy Mansion Museum (www.bellamymansion.org) is Going Greener! Join them in educational games and fun activities in order to spread the word of going green! A new tour focusing on the green activity in the Bellamy will also be held throughout the day. Also, musical performances by Catesby Jones and Susan Savia. Fun for all ages! Event is held on the grounds of the Bellamy Mansion Museum on February 16, 2014 and lasts from 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm.

4). Waterworks Visual Arts Center (www.waterworks.org) opens Relationships:  Art of the Human Condition and its Effects on the Environment on February 8 and runs through May 17, 2014.  Three artists investigate the relationship of the human condition and its effects on the environment.  Each work expresses the subject in the context of human values, contemporary culture, and events of a specific space, both physical and psychological. The exhibition takes a fresh look at conventional representations of nature to push boundaries and offer interesting ways to evoke emotional responses. The art may seem whimsical, colorful, or challenging, yet each elicits contemplation and empathy toward the artist’s view. Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, February 14.  Informal gallery talks with the artists will begin at 5pm, followed by the reception from 6-8pm.  Light refreshments will be served.  Free and open to the public. 

Gallery hours are MWF 10am-5pm, TT 10am-7pm, S 11am-3pm.  Admission is free, donations are appreciated. 

5). North Carolina Collection (http://www2.lib.unc.edu/ncc/) The fishing boats and people of eastern North Carolina will be the topic of a free public program Feb. 6 in Wilson Library on the UNC-CH campus. Author and photographer Lawrence Earley will share photographs and vignettes from his book The Workboats of Core Sound: Stories and Photographs of a Changing World (UNC Press, 2013). 5:00 reception in the North Carolina Collection Gallery.  Program at 5:30 in the Pleasants Assembly Room. See http://tinyurl.com/ony3ldn for information.

6). NC Transportation Museum (www.nctrans.org) presents “Hands On History: African American Inventors”. All month, the NC Transportation Museum will honor African American inventors, in observance of Black History Month in February. Inventors who contributed to and advance transportation in North Carolina and across the nation will be honored with a special museum map and self-guided tour. Regular Admission Prices apply.  Call (704) 636-2889 for questions or to set up a group tour.

7). The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher) introduces Toddler Tuesdays to beat the frosty February blahs.  Pint-sized visitors will enjoy coloring and crafts, as well as free play with toys and books, offered in the Freshwater Wonders from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Little ones and their caregivers can gather to hear a fish tale during a 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. storytime. A toddler–friendly dive show follows at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Toddler Tuesdays are free with aquarium admission Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

8).  The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) (www.secca.org) is pleased to announce that a second show featuring Béla Fleck (www.belafleck.com) and Abigail Washburn (www.abigailwashburn.com) has been added for the duo’s appearance at Crossroads @ SECCA #009.  Crossroads @ SECCA #009 will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the first show will begin at 5:00 p.m. The second show will begin at 7:30 p.m.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase beginning at 4 p.m.  The 5 p.m. show is sold out, but tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are on sale now at: http://secca.org/events/crossroads-secca-009-bela-fleck-and-abigail-washburn/.  SECCA, located at 750 Marguerite Drive, is an affiliate of the N.C. Museum of Art, within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

9). The Charlotte Museum of History (http://www.charlottemuseum.org/) invites you to their Living History Saturday on February 8^th from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Visitors will get a chance to see the different aspects of life in the Carolina Backcountry.  Free with paid admission to the Museum.

10). High Point Museum (www.highpointmuseum.org) invites you to a Valentine Tea hosted by the High Point Historical Society on Saturday, February 8th from 1 pm to 4 pm at the High Point Museum.. JH Adams will be catering this traditional tea that features tea, scones, cucumber sandwiches and chocolate covered strawberries. This fundraiser also will include entertainment, special tours of our Meredith’s Miniatures exhibit, door prizes and a silent auction. The highlight of the event will be professional silhouette artist, Jeanine Owen. Her silhouettes are done in the 18th century manner. With attention to the smallest details, Owen uses paper and scissors to make memories last. Cost is $30 for a single image and $40 for double image.  Tickets  for the Tea are $18 per adult or $30 for two adults and children 12 and under $10 each. Make your reservations today online at www.highpointmuseum.org/store or by contacting Teresa Loflin at 885-1859 or teresa.loflin@highpointnc.gov. Tickets also can be purchased at High Point Jewelers, About Face and Just Priceless.