Clarksville, TN – The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is located in historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee. Come explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history.
Some of the events in February at the Museum are: Aretha McKinney Blevins: A Sense of Serenity, Our Town (Stories of Clarksville), Celebrating African American Businesses of Clarksville, Narrative Illusions: The Visions of Mindy Herrin, The Art of Mixed Media Inspired Artists, and Second Saturday Free Admission: Pop-Up Valentines.
Exhibits
Aretha McKinney Blevins: A Sense of Serenity
February 2nd – February 28th | Planters Bank Peg Harvill Gallery
Aretha McKinney Blevins is a Nashville local and self-taught artist. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Classical Studies from Vanderbilt University, teaching Latin, Art History, and Greek Mythology for a number of years. Aretha currently owns the Iyengar Yoga Center of Nashville and spends her free time painting and sculpting.
This exhibition is sponsored by Nashville Arts Magazine.
Our Town (Stories of Clarksville)
February 28th – September 30th | Memory Lane
An exhibition of regional stories featuring photographs and artifacts from our collection, including: the jail, Trinity Episcopal Church, the Court House, the Capitol Theater, and more.
Celebrating African American Businesses of Clarksville
January 8th – February 28th | The Leaf Chronicle Lobby
This exhibition uses objects and images from the Museum’s permanent collection to celebrate local African American businesses throughout Clarksville’s history, such as Pope Garrett Dry Cleaners.
Sloane Bibb: Storied Elements
January 11th – February 28th | Crouch Gallery
Wood, metal, paper, found objects, tar, and wax make up Atlanta artist Sloane Bibb’s mixed media pieces. Simple motifs, including nature and the female form, stand in measured contrast to the quirky compositions, pointed imagery and high-low mix of materials.
Denise Stewart Sanabria: Misappropriated Mythology Altars
January 12th – March 4th | Jostens Gallery
Where does mythology originate? Who gets to define and invent it? How much of our older Western Mythology is relevant now, and how would it be updated? Using Byzantine decoration, Faberge egg bling, Medieval religious altar construction, and 21st century design standards, Denise Stewart Sanabria has created secular cultural altars dedicated to who we are and what we value and obsess about.
Narrative Illusions: The Visions of Mindy Herrin
January 16th – May 6th | Orgain & Bruner Galleries
Mindy Herrin’s narrative sculpture is created with a combination of metal and alternative materials. Organic by nature, her forms use materials for their tactile properties, creating pieces that move, have the appearance of flesh, and hint to the adventures of being female in everyday life.
The Art of Mixed Media Inspired Artists
January 16th – March 11th | Kimbrough Gallery
Mixed Media Inspired Artists (MMIA) is an artists collective founded by Sandra Washburn. Specializing in acrylic/mixed media, this exhibit showcases artwork from their members.
Activities
First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, February 1st | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
The museum is open to the public with free admission as part of Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walk.
Saturday, February 10th | 10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is open with free admission from 10:00am to 5:00pm as part of our Second Saturday Free Admission Day! Learn to make cards that really pop with our pop-up-valentine tutorial in the Family Art Studio! From 10:00am – 12:00pm and 2:00pm – 4:00pm we’ll be exploring techniques to make cards with features that pop-out when you open them.
In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, our Free Day sponsor Clarksville Dental Center will be at the museum offering free giveaways to visitors.
Jewelry Sale at Seasons: The Museum Store
During the month of February, Seasons: The Museum Store is offering 10% off all jewelry! Museum Members can use their discount for a total of 20% off. This is a great way to find a unique piece for Valentine’s Day (or any day)! Seasons specializes in local and regional artisans.
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 Monday, February 19th for Presidents’ Day.
About the Customs House Museum
Located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center is the State’s second largest general museum. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1898 as a U.S. Post Office and Customs House for the flourishing tobacco trade. Incorporating a number of architectural styles, the original structure is one of the most photographed buildings in the region.
With over 35,000 square feet of the region’s best hands-on activities and special events…people of all ages agree – the Customs House Museum is well worth the stop!
The Explorer’s Gallery is packed with fun, learning and fantasy in Aunt Alice’s Attic, McGregor’s Market and kitchen, and of course – the Bubble Cave! Finally, get “all aboard” to see our fantastic model trains. Our volunteer engineers “ride the rails” every Sunday afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Regular museum hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays. Adult admission is $7.00, Senior Citizens and College ID $5.00, Ages 6 to 18 $3.00, and under six years and Museum members are free.
The Customs House Museum is located at 200 South Second Street. For more information, call 931.648.5780 or visit their website at www.customshousemuseum.org
