CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s annual Flying High fundraiser takes place Saturday, May 19 at the Clarksville Country Club.
The theme to this 35th annual event is “Southern Soirée”, inspired by the beauty of Charleston and the low country of South Carolina. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with cocktails and Big Board bidding opportunities. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and include cuisine steeped in Charleston charm, followed by dancing to live music by The Pink Cadillac Band-Nashville.
This year’s signature artist is sculptor Mike Andrews, a well-known local artist and educator. As this year’s Flying High 2018 Signature Artist, Mike Andrews has carved a beautiful walnut sculpture entitled “In Memory of Olen”. Mike says of the piece inspired by his teacher, mentor, and friend, the late Olen Bryant:
“Olen inspired me to be involved in our community; he gave so much to the Museum and the City of Clarksville. He has been on my mind a lot for the last few years, so I think I have been channeling his muse. Some of the carvings I have been creating lately are inspired by him and his work: the simplicity of design, the focus on craftsmanship, and the joy of carving. The work I donated was created in honor of Olen. He will always be in my heart and on my mind. I hope all will enjoy the work as much as I did creating it.”
“In Memory of Olen” will be available for bid during the highly anticipated live auction, alongside other items such as an original Olen Bryant sketch donated by Glenn Edgin of The Framemaker, an exquisite 14 kt yellow gold Ametrine gemstone necklace from Elliot’s Jewelers and a catered dinner for 24 at F&M Bank’s Franklin Room.
Flying High is the Museum’s largest fundraising event of the year, with proceeds benefiting programming expenses. “The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s largest and longest running fundraiser has a history of being thematically inventive, fun-filled, and memorable,” says Executive Director Jim Zimmer. “This year’s Flying High event promises to keep that tradition alive and well.”
Tickets to this event are $150 for Museum members and $200 for non-members. To purchase, contact the museum at 931-648-5780 or purchase online. Tickets are limited.
Located at the corner of Second and Commerce Streets, the Customs House Museum is the second largest general museum in Tennessee. For more information about the museum, visit Customs House Museum website. You can also contact the museum at 931-648-5780 or info@customshousemuseum.org.