New events, exhibits at Customs House Museum in January

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – See a list of exhibits and activities coming to the Customs House Museum in the month of January.

Exhibitions:
Christmas Town
Through January 27 Memory Lane This large collection of porcelain pieces was assembled by Jimmy and Sue Drye of Clarksville. The village was donated to the Museum by the Drye’s children in honor of their parents. Hundreds of porcelain pieces make up the large display for Christmas Town. There are moving parts and lights, and even a model train making its way through the village. Sponsored in part by Planters Bank.

The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne
Through February 24 Kimbrough Gallery. The Lynes feature works 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.

New to the Collection
Through January 27 Jostens Gallery. This exhibition features a selection of items that have been recently donated to the Museum.

The Photography of Nathan Collie
January 2 – February 24. Harvill Gallery This exhibition includes nature photography by this Franklin, TN artist who works with contemporary techniques.

Matthew Deric Gore: Setting the Stage
January 3 – 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 silly, punning sense of humor. Nashville artist Matt Gore’ s paintings may be seen regularly at The Haynes 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.

Eric L. Hansen: The Dollhouse Series
January 7 – February 28 The Leaf Chronicle Lobby. This series of dollhouse photographs on aluminum by the award-winning photographer Eric Hansen features the first run of this series, which are part of the Museum’s Collection.

Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado
January 7 – April 28 Orgain/Bruner Galleries Gallery. This exhibition features artifacts and local stories related to Clarksville’s 1999 Tornado. The exhibition is sponsored in part by Legends Bank.

Programs and Events:

Friday Mornings in January: Let it Snow! January 4, 11, 18 & 25, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Ages 2 – 5, with adult caretaker In Explorers’ Landing Brrr! It’s cold outside! But we’ll have some “cool” fun inside as we touch, explore, and play around with (artificial) snow. Mold the snow into different shapes and use various tools to exercise those fine motor skills. If you would like, make a miniature snowman! Conduct a science experiment where you cause a “snowstorm in a jar”. Make an easy snowflake craft to take home. This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.

Hands-on Activities: Winter Science Saturday, January 5 & 19, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Grades K – 6th, with adult caretaker In the Family Art Studio Did you know that January 22 is the 20th anniversary of the tornado that devastated over 500 buildings in Clarksville? To commemorate this occasion, come to this drop-in program and you’ll create a “tornado in a bottle” to take home. Through several other fun hands-on activities and experiments, you’ll experience and discover science concepts that relate to Winter. How do Arctic animals stay warm in temperatures well below freezing? Try your hand at “fishing” for ice cubes, explore a bin of (artificial) snow, and create a “snowstorm” in a jar. This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.

Winter Exhibition Reception Saturday, January 10, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Museum members are invited to celebrate January exhibitions featuring Matthew Deric Gore: Setting the Stage, Twentieth Anniversary of the Tornado, Dane Carder: The Healing Game, The Nature of Things: Alison & Frank Lyne, New to the Collection, and The Photography of Nathan Collie. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.

Second Saturday Free Admission Day Thursday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The museum is open to the public with free admission all day from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. as part of our monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day.

Champagne & Chocolate Fundraiser Friday, January 18, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Join us and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Champagne & Chocolate, a fundraiser to benefit the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center. The festivities include sweet & savory delights, champagne, wine, beer, a silent auction, and live music. This year we’re excited to introduce a wine pull! Which lucky guest will take home a special bottle of wine? This is a 21+ event, cocktail attire encouraged. $50 per person, reservations can be made online or by phone at 931-648-5780.

Family Art Day: The Art of the Picture Book Sunday, January 20th 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Children are welcome at this special, adult event In the Family Art Studio Join us for this “show, tell, talk-about, and touch” picture book experience that will take you to the happy places of your youth. Samples from Ms. Sue’s 2000-books collection will be available to look at and read. Compare variations of “old themes”. Create your own. Find out what makes her first edition, first printing of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax “so valuable and so controversial. Learn the clues that help identify a book’s age. You are also invited to bring your special book to this “show & tell”. This program is provided with your Museum Membership or paid admission at no additional cost.

Closures:
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Tuesday, January 1 for New Year’s Day and Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.