CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – See what’s gling on at the Customs House Museum in July:

Exhibits:
The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper
May 9 – August 1, Orgain, Bruner & Crouch Galleries
This exhibition is one of the most comprehensive traveling exhibitions ever organized featuring works on paper by African-American artists from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

Eric Buechel: The Familiar June 2 – July 30
Planters Bank Peg Harvill Gallery
Eric Buechel grew up in a rural northern area of New Jersey, just west of Manhattan and attended the DuCret School of Art in Plainfield, New Jersey. He then transferred to Broward College in South Florida and earned a degree in fine art. Since moving to Tennessee in 2002, Buechel has focused exploring art the camera. His three year battle with cancer gave him the desire to create with a new found perspective.

This Is My Story June 8 – October 15
Jostens Gallery
Women writers representing multiple decades share their thoughts of who they are on May 14, 2017 (Mother’s Day). Their writings are suspended on cloth, hung “clothesline style” in the gallery.

Art of the Staff June 1 – July 24
The Leaf Chronicle Lobby
See art in a variety of mediums created by the staff of the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center.

Forward March March 7 – July 30
Kimbrough Gallery
This exhibit showcases maps, documents, dioramas, flags, and photos from several wars, featuring objects from the collection of Dr. John Olson.

Reading Appalachia: Voices from Children’s Literature March 23 – August 20
Memory Lane
This groundbreaking exhibition of Appalachian children’s literature examines seminal titles published since the 1800s. Come explore our region’s literary heritage and see how children’s literature tells the story of Appalachia. This is a traveling exhibit from East Tennessee Historical Society and Knox County Public Library.

Activities:
First Thursday Art Walk
July 6th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The museum is open to the public with free admission as part of Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walk.

Frank Morrison, Live!
Saturday, July 8th, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., & 3:30 p.m..
Geraldine Braume Turner Auditorium
The museum is open to the public with free admission as part of our Second Saturday Free Admission Day from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Attendees will have three opportunities to hear Atlanta artist and illustrator Frank Morrison promote appreciation of illustration as an art form, reading as an enjoyable learning experience, how children and adults benefit from viewing art, as well as talking about his road to becoming a professional artist.

Crafting Words from Artwork: Writing the Seen and Unseen
Saturday, July 15th, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Workshop fee: $20, limit of 30 participants. Sponsored by Agero.
The old cliché of a picture being worth a thousand words can finally be put to rest. Ekphrasis, the literary tradition of texts written in relation to visual art, proves the connection between the two art forms is indeed complimentary, not competitively valued. In this creative writing workshop, you’ll explore artwork from The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection as your primary source of inspiration.

Art & Lunch: African Americans and the New Deal Art Projects
Wednesday, July 19th, 12:15 PM
Geraldine Braume Turner Auditorium. Sponsored by Agero.
Executive Director Jim Zimmer will talk about how government-sponsored art projects established during the Great Depression provided opportunities for African American artists of the period. In his slide presentation, he will make reference to artists included in The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper exhibition and others from this fascinating era of American art history. Program is free and open to the public.

Family Mural Workshop:
Life Through Art
Saturday, July 29th, available all day in the Family Art Studio. Sponsored by Agero.
Clarksville is a community of great diversity. Celebrate your role in Clarksville’s diversity by creating an autobiographical, collaged “puzzle piece” that shares something about you. Your completed work will be joined with others to create a “puzzle mural” that reflects our unique community. The mural will be exhibited on the walls of the Family Art Studio for three weeks in August! Materials will be provided, but you may also want to bring your picture with you for the collaged piece. The workshop is free with Museum admission and is recommended for ages 5 through adult.

Family Art Fridays
Join us in the Family Art Studio every Friday from 10:30-12:30 & 1:30-4:30!
July 7, Fizzy Painting: We’re painting with baking soda and vinegar to create fizzing watercolor art
July 14, Collages: Create a collage using paper, pictures, and yarn
July 21, Constellations: Explore how dots can be connected to create a picture with this constellation sewing craft
July 28, Pendulum Art: We’ll be swinging into art with pendulums
Activities are suitable for all ages.

Tales & Rails Tuesdays
July 11th – 25th
Join Ms. Sue in the Geraldine Turner Auditorium to hear stories illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Frank Morrison, and E.B. Lewis: 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. & 2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
The model trains will make special runs: 10:45 – 11:15 a.m. & 2:45 – 3:00 p.m.

Appalachian Wednesdays at the Powers’ Family’s Log House
10:00 – 11:15 a.m. & 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
July 5: Make a button whizzer toy
July 12: Make a paper plate weaving
July 19: Design a quilt block
July 26: Examine some outhouse “toilet paper”

All activities are free with your museum membership. Non-members pay regular admission fees. For more information contact Ms. Sue at sue@customshousemuseum.org or 931-648-5780.

Closings:
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Tuesday, July 4 for Independence Day.

Customs House Museum
200 S. Second Street
Clarksville, TN
931-648-5780
www.customshousemuseum.org