NCMC Events From Around the State… February 16, 2015

1). Cowan Museum of History and Science (www.cowanmuseum.org) announces that their new exhibit, Old Rocks, Young Minds, is now open! This special exhibit is comprised of research done by the students of the Duplin County Early College. The exhibit explores the layered evidence of the earth’s rocks, minerals and fossils, which can be read almost like pages in a book when one understands the different types of rocks and how they form and continually change. Old Rocks, Young Minds is open until April 13^th - do not miss your chance to explore it!

2). Museum of Anthropology, Wake Forest University (http://moa.wfu.edu) announces two new exhibits and a special Cherokee Mask Making Workshop! At Home on the Plains is now on display through August 29^th.  Presented in collaboration with George Catlin’s American Buffalo, an exhibition on view at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, this new mini-exhibit showcases Plains Indians objects from the MOA’s permanent collection.  Exhibit highlights include beaded moccasins from the Cree and Lakota Sioux tribes as well as two rare Comanche painted hide robes, on display together for the first time.  The artifacts on view present an exclusive look at the height of Plains Indian culture. Understanding Our Past, Shaping Our Future, goes on display on February 17^th and will continue through May 29^th. This traveling exhibition focuses on Cherokee language and culture, using sound recordings as the basis for presenting a coherent story in words and text.  Major themes include Cherokee Homeland, Heritage Sites, Tourism, Family, and Community Celebrations. In coordination with this featured exhibit, MOA invites you to attend a Cherokee Mask Making Workshop on Sunday, February 22^nd, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Participants in this program will learn about the Cherokee people and make their own mask.  The fee is $10 ($7 for MOA Friends) per mask.  The workshop is open to all ages.  Advanced registration is required.  Call 336.758.5282 or email moa@wfu.edu to register. The Museum of Anthropology is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Admission is free.

3). The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History (www.wbmuseum.com) invites you to make plans to do something fun at the beach for your ½ day off from school!  On Friday, February 20^th from 1 -1:45 p.m. join the Museum for “The Story of Mr. William Polite:  African-American Heritage at Wrightsville Beach.”  Learn the fascinating story of Mr. William Polite, head waiter at the best local hotels:  The Seashore and Oceanic at Wrightsville Beach and The Orton in Wilmington. Mr. Polite made his fortune first with his development of Polite’s Pepper Sauce, and later Polite’s Canning Company. A true entrepreneur, he also owned a catering company and in 1917 patented an aircraft gun. We will learn about table settings, make some cocktail sauce, and see photographs of old Wrightsville Beach.  For children ages 5-9. Space is limited. Call 256-2569 to register. Register by February 17 and be entered in a raffle for a special seasonal gift. FREE.  For more information please call: Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, (910) 256-2569

4). High Point Museum (www.highpointmuseum.org) announces the opening of the latest exhibit to open at the Museum. “Please Remain Standing” is a photographic exhibit that contains over 40 of North Carolina’s vintage theaters.  For over 30 years, documentary photographer Benita VanWinkle, a member of the art faculty at High Point University, has been crisscrossing the United States to document hometown movie theaters built before 1965. With over 250 theaters photographed, including over 50 in North Carolina to date, she is now pursuing the publication of this series. “Please Remain Standing” will be on display Thursday, February 19 until Saturday, April 18. The High Point Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm and the Historical Park is open Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.

5). Asheville Art Museum (www.ashevilleart.org) is pleased to present a lecture entitled “Searching for Hubbard in the 21st Century Appalachian South” with Marilyn Zapf on February 21 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. The American Arts and Crafts Movement was championed by figures like Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) at the turn of the 20th century, but what, if any, of his ideals can be identified in craft today? This presentation will use Roycroft, an artisan community in East Aurora, NY founded by Hubbard in 1895, as a guide through Western North Carolina’s contemporary craft landscape.  After Zapf’s talk, guests will enjoy a reception and are encouraged to tour the Museum’s exhibitions. Reservations can be made by visiting www.ashevilleart.org or by calling the Museum at 828.253.3227. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members.

6). The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (www.secca.org) invites you to Celebrate Maya Angelou on Tuesday, February 17^th, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  The evening will honor, preserve and celebrate the legacy of Maya Angelou, beloved professor at Wake Forest and a national treasure. Dr. Serenus Churn, Sr., Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and Maya Angelou’s Pastor, will begin the reading. Dr. Angelou’s poems will be performed in song by WFU faculty and artist Lynn Book with two WFU alumni. Wake Forest University faculty, students, and select community members will lead a lively reading of her poetry.  Co-Sponsored by Wake Forest University Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), Wake Forest Pro Humanitate Institute, IPLACe, American Ethnic Studies, and the Humanities Institute.  A light reception to follow. This event is free and open to the public.

7). Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (www.blowingrockmuseum.org) invites you to “Coffee with the Curator” on Tuesday, February 24^th at 11 a.m.  Take a walk through the galleries at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum with the Curator and learn about our latest exhibitions! Afterwards, please join us for coffee and informal conversation with the Curator in the Community Meeting Room. Museum Members: Free, Non-Members: General Admission. $5 suggested donation. For more information call 828-295-9099 or visit www.blowingrockmuseum.org.

8). North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (www.naturalsciences.org) invites you out on Thursday, February 19^th at 7 p.m. in the Museum’s WRAL 3D Theater with Dr. Mark Norrell from the American Museum of Natural History, and curator of The World’s Largest Dinosaurs special exhibition.  Norrell’s talk, “Dinosaurs: Old Fossils, New Tools, Changing Ideas,” will focus on Norrell’s body of specimen-based and theoretical research. As a paleontologist and molecular geneticist, Norrell is acknowledged by many as one of the most important living vertebrate paleontologists. He is best known to have discovered the first theropod embryo and the Djadochta Formation, and for the description of feathered dinosaurs. In 1998, Norell was named a New York City Leader of the Year by the New York Times. The World’s Largest Dinosaurs explores the amazing ecology and biology of a group of uniquely super-sized dinosaurs—the long-necked and long-tailed sauropods—some of which may have reached lengths of 140 feet! Tickets are $10/lecture or $20/combo, which includes the lecture plus a ticket to the special exhibition. For more information, contact Andrea Jones at 919.707.9839 or andrea.jones@naturalsciences.org. The World’s Largest Dinosaur runs now through April 12th at the Museum. 

9). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child's Gallery in Hendersonville, invites you to Critter Craft, Tuesday, February 24^th – Friday, February 27^th all day. This month’s Critter Craft focuses on dogs & hearts. All ages. Drop-in self-directed activity in our Party Room. Free with $5 admission/Free for members. Sponsored by Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital.

10). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) invites you to join them and Serenity Arts Studio for Paint and Cookie:  Colorful Heart on Friday, February 20^th from 4-5:30 p.m. School age participants will paint a heart.  The masterpieces created by participants during the workshop will be highlighted at Serenity Studio Arts, 601 East Main Street, on Friday, March 6^th from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at First Friday Art Walk.  Limited space and supply fee.  For More Information Call 252-335-1453.