CLARKSVILLE, TN – Here are the events upcoming at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in September.

Museum Exhibitions

Still: Ceramics by Anne Beyer, Sept 8 – Nov 28 | Harvill Gallery: Anne Beyer’s work is inspired by the relationship between the natural world and the human psyche. In this exhibit, she explores the relationship between handcrafted wood-fired ceramic forms and digitally designed 3D-printed objects.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept 15 – Nov 7 | Lobby: Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15 and pays tribute to the history and culture of the Hispanic and Latin American communities. This year’s national theme is “Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future.” This exhibit features a variety of Hispanic and Latin American cultural objects, clothing and traditions.

C. Douglas Charlton: Out of Darkness: Purgatory, Mayhem, Color, Love, Hate, Light, and Tomorrow, Through Sept 26 | Jostens Gallery: C. Douglas Charlton grew up just outside of Nashville in Gallatin, Tennessee. Old Hickory Lake provided an inspiring backdrop to begin creating artwork. Having spent much of his youth in his grandfather’s woodshop, Charlton uses wood as his surface medium of choice. His paintings have a neon-rustic look that convey nostalgic emotions. Building depth through layers of color, his artwork has the ability to transport you to the ethereal experience of your most cherished memories, whether it be a person, place or pure emotion.

Familiars: The Art of Beverly Parker, Through Oct 27 | Crouch Gallery: Beverly Parker’s background in darkroom developing and printing provided a bridge to experimenting with other photography processes. Parker taught advanced darkroom and alternative processes at APSU through the Community School of the Arts. She is a co-founder of the Downtown Artists Co-op.

Start Your Engines! A Celebration of Racing in Montgomery County, Through Oct 31 | Bruner, Orgain, Hand & Kimbrough Galleries, Sponsored by Tri-Star Beverage and MPG Transport: The Museum expands its Challenge & Champions exhibit with this multi-gallery exhibition showcasing Montgomery County’s auto racing history and the local legends that formed the sport. Start Your Engines! highlights race cars, art, historical memorabilia and video footage of personal stories from locals who established auto racing in the area.

Museum Events

First Thursday Art Walk, Sept 2, 5 – 8 pm, The Museum will have free admission during First Thursday Art Walk Clarksville from 5 – 8 pm. Linell’s Mexican Food Truck will serve up delicious food in the Museum courtyard. Exhibiting artist C. Douglas Charlton will be at the Museum to visit with guests.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Celebration, Sept 19, 2 – 4 pm, In honor of the generations of Hispanic and Latin Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society, the Museum is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that honors our local Hispanic and Latin American communities with food, culture and performances.

Museum Programs

Family Art Day: Create a Greeting Card, Sept 25, drop by between 10 am – 12 pm & 2 – 4 pm | Family Art Studio, Free with membership or paid admission, To celebrate Thinking of You Week on September 20 – 26, come make greeting cards for the special people in your life. The Museum provides plain, white cards and envelopes and you will add the design and words of love and encouragement. A collection of Ms. Sue’s personal greeting cards will be on display.

Museum Discovery Quest, Free with membership or paid admission | Developed for school-age children, Free Take It N’ Make It Activity, Explore Museum exhibits with your family in a creative way with Museum Discovery Quests – entertaining, self-guided “scavenger hunts” that pique kids’ curiosities and captivate their attention. Several different themes are offered, and all of them include a free Take It N’ Make It activity packet for kids to make a fun project at home. Sign up for a Perks Pass to win a free prize from Seasons: The Museum Store after finishing three MDQs.

Huff & Puff Express Model Trains, Exhibit open daily | Volunteer Train Crew members run trains Sundays, 1 – 4 pm and Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm, Enjoy one of the largest model railroad layouts in the region boasting a miniature castle, UFO and scenic landscape. Interact with the miniature world by making automobiles move and helicopters fly. The model train exhibit is open daily and themes change every season.