CLARKSVILLE, TN – The upcoming events for Customs House Museum & Cultural Center for the month of July have just been announced.

Exhibitions

Marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day (Through July 28 | Lobby): June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II. This exhibit features a selection of WWII artifacts from the Museum collection, private collections and a paratrooper on loan from Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell.

Tennessee Watercolor Society 2024 Biennial Juried Exhibition (Through July 28 | Crouch Gallery ): Active since 1971, the Tennessee Watercolor Society (TnWS) is a membership organization dedicated to elevating the stature of watercolor painting and educating the public about the significance of the art form. This traveling show, sponsored by the Lyndhurst Foundation, features 30 paintings selected from the 2024 Juried Biennial Exhibition.

Cindy Billingsley: The Wonderous Beauty of Birds  (Through July 24 | Orgain & Bruner Galleries): Tennessee artist Cindy Billingsley celebrates all things avian through an array of paintings and sculptures. Billingsley’s work has been showcased throughout the country in galleries and museums, and can be found in several public and corporate collections. She is a member of the Oil Painters of America and Artists for Conservation. 

John Sharp: En Route (July 25 – Oct. 20 | Orgain & Bruner Galleries): Photorealist artist and art educator John Sharp’s greatest passion is the urban landscape. Whether it is an old neon sign, an abandoned streetcorner, or a forgotten object, Sharp’s purpose as an artist is to capture the beauty of decades of rust and slow decay. Sharp’s work has been exhibited in galleries in Chicago, New York and Italy.

Beerakuda: The Art of Bill Henig  (Through July 28 | Harvill Gallery): You know what they say about “one man’s trash…” Artist Bill Henig combines his interests of fishing, environmentalism, scuba diving and beer to create The Beerakudas – whimsical fish-like creatures made with discarded beer caps and other recycled materials.

Flying High Signatures  (Through August 11 | Jostens Gallery): For the past 40 years, the Museum has commissioned an artist to create a signature artwork for Flying High, the organization’s annual fundraising gala. As part of the ongoing Museum at 40 celebration, enjoy a selection of Flying High Signatures that showcase everything from iconic renderings of the Customs House building to picturesque landscapes.

Triumphs and Treasures: Celebrating 40 Years  (Through September 29 | Kimbrough Gallery & Memory Lane): The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is home to more than 22,000 artifacts, documents, photographs and works of art. Through this exhibit, travel decade by decade through our collections to gain insight into the history of the Museum and the community as a whole.

Events

History on the Rocks @ Skyline 50, A Listen & Learn Happy Hour (July 25| 5:30 pm – 7 pm |Skyline 500, Free to the public): Join us at Skyline 500, the rooftop bar at Shelby’s Trio, for our quarterly History on the Rocks, featuring writers and artists from the July edition of Second & Commerce magazine. We’ll have a little bit of trivia fun, a listen and learn session, and time to mingle and meet friends in the community.

First Thursday Art Walk  (July 11 | 5 – 8 pm, Free to the public): Mark your calendars for July’s Art Walk! The Museum offers free admission during First Thursday Art Walk from 5 – 8 pm. Palate Junkies food truck will be parked outside the Courtyard ready to serve up some of their delicious food!

Programs

History of Dunbar Cave: Homestead, Plantation, Resort, Music Venue, State Park (July 7 | 3 pm | Turner Auditorium, Free to the public; does not include Museum admission): Join us for an enlightening evening with Adam Neblett, Park Ranger at Dunbar Cave State Park, as he delves into the fascinating history of Dunbar Cave. Discover the rich and varied past of this remarkable landmark as Neblett guides us through its evolution. Discover how Dunbar Cave has transformed over the years—from its origins as a homestead and plantation, to its heyday as a resort and music venue, and finally to its current status as a cherished landmark. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Register today at customshousemuseum.org/events.

Storytime & Craft: Celebrating Independence Day (July 5 | 10:30 am | All ages, with adult, Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio): Join us for a special Storytime & Craft session in honor of Independence Day! We’ll be reading Our Flag Was Still There by Jessie Hartland and Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger. After the stories, children will get to create a special patriotic-themed craft to celebrate the holiday. All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.

Storytime & Craft: Just be Jelly! (July 18 | 10:30 am | All ages, with adult, Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio): Dive into a fun-filled jellyfish-themed Storytime & Craft session! We’ll be reading I Am Not a Fish! by Peter Raymundo and Just Be Jelly by Maddie Frost. After storytime, kids will get to create their very own jellyfish windsocks. This will be a morning of storytelling and underwater adventure! All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.

Sunday Studio: Painting with Sarah Spillers  (July 21 | 2 pm | Third Sunday of each month, Free, with registration required; does not include Museum admission): Teaming up with APSU’s Community School of the Arts, we present Sunday Studio—a workshop series for adults. This month, we’re exploring the art of painting food and snacks. Whether you are a beginner or have painting experience, this workshop is designed to help you develop your skills and express your creativity. This workshop is free and all materials are included, but registration is required. For ages 16+. Registration opens June 17 at customshousemuseum.org

Family Art Saturday: Red, White, & Blue (July 27| 10 am – 12 pm & 2 – 4 pm | Ages 3+, with adult Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio): This month’s Family Art Saturday we’re getting into the patriotic spirit with a special red, white, and blue string art craft. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of artistic fun as you design and create your own unique string art masterpiece. Let your creativity shine as you celebrate art, family and patriotism—together! All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.

F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains (Exhibit open daily | Trains run Sundays 1 – 4 pm, Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm, Fridays 10 am – 12 pm and the last Saturday of each month 1 – 4 pm): The circus has arrived in town! Come and explore one of the region’s largest model railroad layouts, featuring a miniature castle, a UFO, scenic landscapes, and an engaging circus display. Interact with this tiny world by activating carnival rides and flying elephants. Our model train exhibit is open every day, with themes that change each season – so stay tuned to discover what’s coming next!

Closures

Thursday, July 4: The Museum will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for the holiday.