CLARKSVILLE, TN – Here is everything happening at Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in June.
Exhibitions
Marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, June 1 – 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, June 6 – 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.
Wood, Paper, Paint: Collecting Art for 40 Years, through June 2 | Crouch Gallery. Since opening in 1984, the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center has been dedicated to collecting and preserving art. To celebrate the Museum’s 40th birthday, experience a curated selection of artworks from the permanent collection.
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.
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
Museum at 40 Week of Giving, June 2 – June 9. Free to the public. Join us for a special week of giving as we work towards our fundraising goal of $10,000 for the Museum’s 40th birthday! Show us how much you love YOUR Museum and enjoy live music, food trucks and tons of fun all week long!
- Sunday, June 2: Sundays at 3:00
To kick off our 40th birthday celebration, join us for our monthly Sundays at 3:00 lecture with a live painting demonstration with acclaimed artist Debra Keirce. - Monday, June 3: Online Giving Begins!
Check out our website and Facebook page to rally support for our mission! Help us reach our goal of $10,000 so we can continue educating and engaging visitors of all ages. - Tuesday, June 4: Lunchtime Concert in the Courtyard
From 11am to 1pm, enjoy the melodies of the Cumberland Winds and grab a bite for lunch from Happy Bun Hot Dogs and Veggie or Not food trucks. - Wednesday, June 5: Watercolor Demonstration with Peach McComb and Pat Patrick
Join us for an exclusive painting demonstration with renowned artists Peach McComb and Pat Patrick from the Tennessee Watercolor Society. See their creative process up close, from 10am to noon. - Thursday, June 6: First Thursday Art Walk & The Longest Day Screening
We are commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a screening of the 1962 film The Longest Day at 3pm in the Museum’s auditorium. Then, stick around for Art Walk and explore our new D-Day exhibit. Johnny and June’s Italian Ice and Pbody’s food trucks will be outside in the courtyard. - Friday, June 7: Coffee & Donuts at the Museum
Have a heartwarming start to your morning! The Museum is opening early – swing by from 9-11 am to enjoy a delicious donut and savor fresh coffee from Grindhead Coffee food truck, then check out our newest exhibits.
First Thursday Art Walk, June 6 | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free to the public. Mark your calendars for June’s Art Walk! The Museum offers free admission during First Thursday Art Walk from 5 – 8. Johnny and Junes Italian Ice and P’body’s food trucks will be parked outside the Courtyard ready to serve up some delicious eats!
Jammin’ in June with James Parker, June 22 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. $50 | 21+. The Museum welcomes James Parker for a night of soulful music, food, drinks and dancing. Hailing from the musically vibrant city of Austin, Texas, James Parker is a talented singer-songwriter who embodies a unique fusion of modern Americana and conventional soul influences. With roots in Clarksville, Parker draws inspiration from song writers such as Amos Lee and Bruce Robison, telling stories through sound. All proceeds for this event go towards the Museum’s mission. With your support, the Museum can continue to provide creative program opportunities for children, share artists’ work in new exhibits and preserve the history of our community by expanding our collection. Tickets will go on sale May 22 at customshousemuseum.org.
Fifth Saturday Donation Day, June 29 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fifth Saturday is Donation Day! During any month with five Saturdays, on the fifth Saturday any monetary donation is your admission to the Museum. This month, we’ll also be collecting school supplies for the Clarksville Housing Authority’s Back to School Bash! Plus, Windy City Vibez and Grindhead Coffee of Clarksville will have food trucks set up in the Courtyard.
Programs
Sundays at 3:00: Painting Realism: A Demonstration with Master Painter Debra Keirce, June 2 | 3 p.m. | Turner Auditorium. Free to the public; does not include Museum admission. To Debra Keirce, we are all illusionists. Creating art on a flat surface that is so realistic as to evoke a strong narrative, an emotion or memory – that’s magic. This month’s Sundays at 3:00 program is a live painting demonstration with a master painter as Keirce walks through every aspect of painting realism, from the initial drawing to the smallest details. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Register today at customshousemuseum.org/events .
Storytime & Craft: It’s a Party! Celebrate the Museum at 40, June 6 | 10:30 a.m. | All ages, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. Let’s celebrate the Museum’s 40th anniversary! In the spirit of celebration, we’ll be reading I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems and Bear Can’t Wait by Karma Wilson. Then, kids will craft their very own party birds, adding a touch of creativity and color to the festivity. Come join the party! *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Juneteenth Storytime & Craft, June 19 | 10:30 a.m.| All ages, with adult. Free for members | $3 for children| $5 for adults| Turner Auditorium. Celebrate Juneteenth with us as we delve into the story Juneteenth by Van G. Garrett, a captivating narrative that brings this important day in history to life. Joining us to read this wonderful tale is Kenneth L. Waters Jr., actor and Production Stage Manager at the Roxy Regional Theatre. Then, stick around for an exciting craft activity using oil pastels. Inspired by the renowned style of Jean-Michel Basquiat, kids can get creative and explore themes of life, family and the profound significance of Juneteenth. Assisting with the craft will be Mrs. Middle Tennessee 2024, Frankie Purdie. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Storytime & Craft: Pollinator Week, June 20 | 10:30 a.m. | All ages, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. Get ready for a buzzing adventure as we crawl into the world of bugs with Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner and The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach. These delightful stories will entertain and educate children about the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem. After storytime, it’s time to unleash your creativity with colorful butterfly art! *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Sunday Studio: Painting with Sarah Spillers, June 16 | 2 p.m. | 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 painting a beautiful June sunflower. 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 May 20 at customshousemuseum.org
Family Art Saturday: Summer Sunflowers, June 29| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Ages 3+, with adult. Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. It’s officially summertime, and this month’s Family Art Saturday is a celebration of the beauty and bloom of sunflowers. Using different colors and techniques, families can explore their creative side and paint a stunning sunflower masterpiece. Join us for a day filled with color and imagination! *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 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Our model train exhibit is open daily, and themes change every season – so stick around, because soon the Huff & Puff Circus will be in town!