CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – See a list of exhibits and activities coming to Clarksville’s Customs House Museum in February:

Exhibitions:

The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne
Through February 24
Kimbrough Gallery
The Lynes feature work on paper and of wood from their series on women’s suffrage.

Dane Carder: The Healing Game
Through February 24
Kimbrough Gallery
These Paintings are based on the photographs of Dr. Reed Bontecou, who documented the treatment of the wounded toward the end of the Civil War.

The Photography of Nathan Collie
Through February 24
Harvill Gallery
This exhibition includes nature photography by this Franklin, Tennessee artist who works with contemporary techniques.

Eric L. Hansen: The Dollhouse Series
Through February 28
The Leaf Chronicle Lobby
This series of dollhouse photographs on aluminum by award-winning photographer Eric Hansen features the first run of this series, which are part of the Museum’s Collection.

Matthew Deric Gore: Setting the Stage
Through March 3
Crouch Gallery
This exhibition features a series of paintings that uses the combination of precision and drama of the European Old Masters with a silly, punning sense of humor. Nashville artist Matt Gore’s paintings may be seen regularly at The Hayes Galleries with locations in Nashville and Thomaston, Maine. His works have also been shown in solo exhibitions at the Tennessee Art League, at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in Clarksville, and in a group show at the Centennial Arts Center in Nashville.

Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado
Through April 28
Orgain/Bruner Galleries
This exhibition features artifacts and local stories related to Clarksville’s 1999 Tornado. The exhibition is sponsored in part by Legends Bank.

Celebrating 55 Years of G. I. Joe
February 1 – March 31
Lower Level Foyer Display
From the collections of Randy Spurgeon.

Lynn Garwood: My View
February 5 – April 28
Jostens Gallery
This exhibition features a Wisconsin artist who paints everyday objects. In 2009, Lynn Garwood closed down her sign painting business to concentrate on being an artist. Lyn’s paint of choice is acrylics. Under every painting, she paints a positive word. These words can be seen and at other times are completely painted over to be hidden.

First Responders
February 21 – May 12
Memory Lane
This exhibition features artifacts and photographs from the Museum’s Collections related to Clarksville’s emergency responders, including the full-scale 1925 fire engine that was used by the Clarksville Fire Department. This exhibition is sponsored in part by Clarksville Dental Center.

Programs and Events:
Friday Mornings in February: Create an Abstract Sculpture
February 1, 8, 15, 22, drop-in between 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 2-5, with an adult caretaker
In Explorers’ Landing
Your little ones will have a lot of fun and utilize their fine motor skills as they create an abstract sculpture using only packing peanuts, a damp sponge, and their imagination! Each unique sculpture will stay stuck together and can be taken home. Your little artist will become a scientist too, by observing how cornstarch packing peanuts are different from Styrofoam ones. This program is provided with your Museum membership or paid admission at no additional cost.

Hands-on Activities: Build a Toothpick Structure
Saturday, February 2 & 16, drop-in between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Grades K-6th, with an adult caretaker
In the Family Art Studio
In recognition of National Engineers Week, participants will build a structure using toothpicks and packing peanuts. What shape will your structure be; and how tall and how large? The only thing you need to bring is your creativity and imagination. And what’s more fun than building your structure? Destroying it! You will destroy it by… well, you’ll have to come by to this program to find out! This program is provided with your Museum membership or paid admission at no additional cost.

First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, February 7, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The Museum is open to the public with free admission as part of the Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walk.

Second Saturday Free Admission Day
Saturday February 9, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The museum is open to the public with free admission all day as part of our monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day.

Meet the Artist: Matthew Deric Gore
Saturday, February 9, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Crouch Gallery
All welcome
Matthew Deric Gore is a classical realist artist from Nashville whose amazing paintings are currently on exhibit in the Museum. This program provides a rare opportunity to meet the artist in person. For this program, Gore will bring additional paintings that show examples of his early work, discuss his technique, and answer visitor questions. This program is part of the ART 4 US project supported, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This is a free program.

Family Fun Sunday: Happy Birthday, G.I. Joe!
Sunday, February 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
All Welcome
Explorers’ Landing
Attention all G.I. Joe Fans & Collectors! Join us for a grand “show & tell” by G.I. Joe collector Mr. Dan Moore, who purchased his first G.I. Joe as a kid in 1982. These will be a 20-minute presentation beginning at 1:15 p.m., followed by a 90-minute drop-in and talk-about session. You are welcome to bring your own G.I. Joes to show us. This program is provided with your Museum membership or paid admission at no additional cost.
“I stopped playing/ collecting around 1990 as a teenager, but rediscovered G. I. Joe in 1998 when I saw re-released G.I. Joes in a Toys R US while I was stationed at Ft. Bliss. I’ve been collecting ever since. Favorite pieces are my concept art for the Cobra Viper and my near-complete collection of sealed G.I. Joe school supplies from the 1980s.”

Still-life Painting
Thursday, February 21, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Crouch Gallery
Free Admission
Bring your easel and art supplies and join us for a night of still life painting. This program by Curator of Exhibitions Terri Jordan is in conjunction with the Matthew Gore: Setting the Stage exhibition. Participants must sign up in advance by contacting Terri Jordan at terri@customshousemuseum.org.

Jewelry Sale at Seasons: The Museum Store
During the month of February, Seasons: The Museum Store is offering 15% off all jewelry! Museum members can use their discount for a total of 25% off. This is a great way to find a special piece for Valentine’s Day! Seasons has a great selection of handmade jewelry from local and regional artisans. Stop in and find that perfect gift.

Closures:
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Monday, February 18 for Presidents’ Day.