NCMC Events From Around the State… February 23, 2015

1). Museum of Anthropology, Wake Forest University (http://moa.wfu.edu) invites you to "Cherokee Handmade: At the Junction of Economic Development and Representation” on Thursday, February 26^th at 7:00 p.m. led by Dr. Courtney Lewis, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. In 1997, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) opened their first Harrah's casino. By 2010, the casino hosted 3.6 million visitors and garnered $386 million that year alone. During this time, the EBCI government also launched several programs to bolster their small business stability and growth. Given the enormous success of the casino, why are small business viewed as critical elements on the Qualla Boundary? Dr. Lewis will examine these founding businesses of the EBCI, their impacts on both the economy and cultural representation of the EBCI, and the specific challenges they face as American Indian businesses. Admission is free. This event is cosponsored by the Department of Anthropology and the Anthropology Club.  The lecture is presented in conjunction with the MOA's featured exhibit, Understanding Our Past, Shaping Our Future.

2). The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (www.northcarolinamuseum.org), in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services, Museum on Main Street, and the North Carolina Humanities Council, is the statewide launch site for the exhibit Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America. The exhibit opens on Saturday, February 28th and admission is free on opening day. At 2 p.m. Hometown Teams statewide scholar Pamela Grundy will present “Back Then, That Was the Thing to Do” – North Carolina Women’s Basketball 1923-1960.  The Museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

3).  The Asheville Area Arts Council (www.ashevillearts.com) presents WHEE Fresh, a collection of works by local artists from Western Carolina University’s Master of Fine Arts Program, in their gallery located in the Grove Arcade at 1 Page Avenue Suite 143 A. The MFA program at WCU is interdisciplinary, encouraging students to develop individual creative directions ranging from traditional painting and ceramics to experimental work in sculpture and new media.  The exhibition will be opening on Thursday, March 5th with a public reception on Friday, March 6th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.  It will run through Saturday, March 14th and can be viewed during normal business hours 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  The gallery space will be occupied with freshly crafted works crossing disciplines of sculpture, photography, digital media, fibers, ceramics, drawing, and painting.

4). Earl Scruggs Center (www.earlscruggscenter.org) invites you to “Spring Afternoon Tea: The Art of Tea” on Sunday, March 22^nd at 3:00 p.m. Join Earl Scruggs Center Curator, Annmarie Reiley-Kay, as she talks about the art of tea from Europe to the American South. The presentation focuses on depicting tea in famous works of art and the popularization of tea in society. After the presentation, enjoy an afternoon of delicious French & English pastries, finger sandwiches and, of course, tea. Music will be provided by accomplished Cellist, Levi Pendergrass. There will be teacup give-a-ways and raffle drawings for a Biltmore teapot & teacup set. Seating is limited. Reservations are required. Purchase online at www.EarlScruggsCenter.org or call the Center at 704-487-6233.  Tickets cost $25 and Earl Scruggs Center’s members receive a discount, please come by guest services or call the Earl Scruggs Center about discounted membership pricing and to purchase member tickets.

5). Spencer Doll and Toy Museum (www.spencerdollandtoymuseum.com) invites you to an African American Fashion Show on Saturday, February 28^th, 3-5 p.m. African American culture is rooted in East, West and Central Africa. Over time the fashion has modified and/or blended with European cultures and other cultures such as that of Native Americans. Attendees are encouraged to show off their family heirlooms. Admission is $10 and includes museum admission and refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or by phone Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

6). Cleveland County Arts Council (www.ccartscouncil.org) invites you to view "Treasures of the Earth", on display until March 4^th. More than 1000 pieces of pottery are on display at the annual Pottery Show & Sale.  For a show this size we encourage you to visit a few times to see it all! The Arts Council is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

7). Tryon Palace (www.tryonpalace.org) will offer behind-the-scenes tours every Tuesday at 2 p.m., beginning March 3^rd. Alternating weekly between the costume shop and historic gardens, each tour provides an inside perspective on the day-to-day inner workings of life at the palace.  Tours of the costume shop will include historical accounts of the c. 1809 Jones House, a brief tour of the home’s exterior, and a visit to the costume racks where the costumer will discuss the research techniques used to ensure the costumes are produced using historically accurate techniques and fabrics.  Visitors will also observe the costume team in action.  During tours of the palace gardens, visitors will discover what is in bloom this spring, learn about specific plants and design techniques, see the vegetables being served on the governor’s table this season and take a behind-the-scenes peek into the nursery yard. Tours also include information on the Waystation cistern project, privy and parterre gardens, and the use of produce in the kitchen garden.  Tryon Palace Behind-the-Scenes tours are set for Tuesdays throughout the spring. All behind-the-scenes tours begin at 2 p.m. at the Waystation. Tickets are included with the purchase of a One Day Pass or may be purchased individually as follows: $6 for adults, $3 for students and free for Tryon Palace Foundation members. For more information call 252-639-3500 or visit www.tryonpalace.org.

8). The N.C. Transportation Museum (www.nctrans.org) has special train rides for families, a book sale our die hard rail fans are sure to love, and a great program for fans Piedmont Airlines and aviation history.  All three big events happen Saturday, Feb. 28^th.  Special steam engine train rides is scheduled all day long.  Accompanied by an expanded ride schedule, visitors will have a chance to experience the golden age of railroading. Rides will be offered at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  Also Feb. 28, the museum’s big Railroading Book Sale will be taking place.  Over 1000 books from a private collector will be on sale in the museum’s expanded Gift Station. The books are first quality, many are out of print, and the book sale is sure to be a hit with diehard rail fans. This book sale is a fundraiser for the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation.  Finally, a week delayed due to bad weather, Piedmont Airlines Day is also happening Feb. 28.  Celebrating the history and employees of the Winston-Salem based airline that was sold to US Airways in the early 1990s, the museum will host Capt. Cheryl Peters.  The first ever female pilot for the airline, Peters will tell her story of breaking new ground in 1974 and what it was like to take to the skies. Piedmont Airlines Day will also feature a restoration tour of the Piedmont Airlines DC3, the Potomac Pacemaker. Regular museum admission applies for all events.  Visit www.nctrans.org for more information.

9). N.C. Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) invites you to Tar Heel Sports Legends: A Panel and Workshop for Youth on Saturday, March 7^th from 10 a.m. – noon.  What does it take to become a professional athlete or an Olympic medalist? Four outstanding athletes from North Carolina will share their stories and highlight their sports careers, past and present, during the workshop. For ages 12 and up, this free program also includes a gallery hunt through the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame to test your sports knowledge. This exciting and educational program is presented in partnership with Our Youth Matters of Raleigh. Donal Ware, host of the nationally syndicated sports talk radio show “From the Press Box to Press Row,” will moderate the panel discussion.   To learn more about this special program, call 919-807-7900, visit www.ncmuseumofhistory.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or YouTube.

10). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child's Gallery in Hendersonville, invites you to Mad Scientists Lab – Microscopes! on Tuesday, March 3^rd at 11 a.m. 3yrs & up. The Mad Scientists go Nano in preparation for the Nano Days festival at the end of March.  Nano scientists use very special tools to study things that are very, very, very small. Play & learn with stereoscopes, microscopes and transmission electron microscopes. $7 non-members (includes admission for child participating in class); free for members. Sponsored by Duke Energy, Exxon Mobil, the NISE network and The National Science Foundation.  Limited spaces. Please call to register. Mad Scientists Lab will be held every Tuesday in March.