|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 On Exhibit Faces & Stories: A Portrait of Southern Writers - Orgain Gallery - April 24 through June 15 - A traveling exhibition of black and white portraits paying tribute to the strong literary heritage of the American South. Initially commissioned to photograph the founding members of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, internationally acclaimed photographer Curt Richter expanded the project over a seven-year period to photograph over two hundred writers associated with the South. Richter's work has been highly acclaimed by visual art collectors as well as the authors themselves. According the author Robert Coles, "Richter evokes the inevitable mystery of talent, if not genius." Ann Beattie, one of the Southern authors featured in Faces and Stores comments, "[Richter] waits for the expressive moment that has little or nothing to do with the face people usually present to the world." Coles and Beattie agree that the power of Richter's Faces and Stories inspires the audience to see aspects of themselves in the photograph while acknowledging the subtle strength of each author's portrait. Southern Visions: The Folk Arts and Southern Culture Traveling Exhibits Program is made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Don't miss our special Writer's Hour on May 15. See Special Events below for details. Ben Caldwell: Into Abstraction - Crouch Gallery - April 24 through June 22 - Ben Caldwell started his artistic journey as a student of classical and modern painting. He studied with abstract expressionist Charles Cajori at the Studio School of New York, and earned his BFA from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Upon graduation, Caldwell began a career building musical instruments. For ten years, he meticulously crafted fine instruments such as drums, guitars and dulcimers. His next step was learning coppersmithing and silversmithing as an apprentice to Terry Talley in Bradyville, Tennessee. Under Talley’s instruction, Caldwell learned to hand hammer copper and silver in the same manner as 19th century masters. Caldwell's exquisite serving pieces are at once artistic and utilitarian. Enamel artist Mimi Walsh once saw Caldwell's copper pieces at the TACA Tennessee craft fair in Nashville and jokingly remarked to him that they would look great enameled. Much to her surprise, he jumped at the chance to learn the technique. Caldwell learned quickly and retooled his entire studio to accommodate a large kiln for enameling copper. In time, his ideas had outgrown the size of the kiln, forcing Caldwell to invent a new system of enameling with torches to create larger pieces. Today, Ben Caldwell has returned to his roots as a painter, creating sculpted paintings of enameled copper. Some of his largest pieces can be seen through June 25 at Tower 49 in New York City. Ben Caldwell is represented by LeQuire Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee. Dunbar Cave: A Change of Seasons - Heritage Hall - April 24 through June 29 - Clarksville's own Dunbar Cave State Natural Area is the subject of Greg Williamson's photographs. Images for the exhibit are drawn from his extensive body of work developed over many years spent photographing the park and the cave interior. A native of Iowa farm country, Greg Williamson relocated to Clarksville when he took a job as photographer with the Leaf-Chronicle newspaper. During his years in Tennessee, he has frequently hiked at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area. His time on the trails, along with his photography expeditions there have provided him with an intimate knowledge of the landscape, seasons and moods of the park. Williamson says, "I hope I can share some of the park's beauty captured by my camera. I hope those who have a fear of going into the cave will enjoy a photographic tour." Peg Harvill Gallery - A permanent gallery featuring select watercolors by artist Peggy D. Harvill. Lucy Dunwody Boehm Porcelain Collection - DeWald Gallery, Heritage Hall - Come see one of the Southeast's largest collections of these fantastic porcelains now installed in a new permanent gallery. Model Trains - Our volunteer engineers "ride the rails" every Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Volunteer Positions Available The Customs House Museum has openings for adult volunteers. Please contact us if you would like to give tours, run model trains, help prepare newsletters for mailing, or serve as a receptionist. For more information, please call Sue Lewis at (931) 648-5780.
Special Events Thursday, May 15 - A Writer's Hour - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Presented in conjunction with the exhibit Faces & Stories: A Portrait of Southern Writers. Free admission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy readings by local writers: Malcolm Glass, Mitzi Cross, Tammy Dohner, Shana Thornton, Tom Osborne, Sue Lewis, Helga Christian, Patricia Botkin and Gregory Stallworth. For more information, contact Terri Jordan, Community Relations Director at (931) 648-5780. Family Day Events are appropriate for all ages. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The activities, including admission to the Museum and parking, are free to everyone. For more information call Sue Lewis at (931) 648-5780, ext. 28. |
