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 August at the Museum are:The Biggest and Most Important Things: A Duo Exhibition by Michelle & Aaron Grayum, Odyssey: An Exhibition of Recent Works by Paul Harmon, Jim Diehr: Imagined Perspectives, Revisiting New York: A Photographic Essay by Norman Lerner and Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: Create an Alien.
Customs House Museum Exhibits
The Biggest and Most Important Things: A Duo Exhibition by Michelle & Aaron Grayum
August 3rd – October 23rd | Orgain/Bruner Galleries
Michelle and Aaron Grayum have owned and operated the graphic design firm The Gray Umbrella in Nashville Tennessee for more than nine years while raising their 11-year-old son. The Biggest and Most Important Things marks the first time in four years that this talented couple, celebrating 18 years of marriage in August, has collaborated on a show together.
Odyssey: An Exhibition of Recent Works by Paul Harmon
August 8th – October 20th | Crouch Gallery
Paul Harmon is an internationally exhibited artist who for 11 years, from 1986 to early 1998, divided his time between studio/residences in Paris, France and Brentwood, Tennessee. His time abroad still plays a role in his work. Within the more than fifty works shown, are some of Harmon’s signature themes of reclining nudes and literary references.
Jim Diehr: Imagined Perspectives
August 2nd – September 29th | Jostons Gallery
Artist Jim Diehr’s work showcases his interest in the use of symbols found in religion and mythology. Diehr served as a college professor and administrator for many years in Kansas and Tennessee. Recently retired, Diehr is a full-time artist. This exhibit includes both paintings and sculptures.
Revisiting New York: A Photographic Essay by Norman Lerner
Through September 29th | Kimbrough Gallery
Norman Lerner worked as a fashion and commercial photographer in New York City from the early 50s to the 70s. In 1961, he established the photography program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
MOMA added selections from his Transfiguration series to their photography collection, as did The Santa Barbara Museum of Art. This exhibits showcases 26 of Norman’s iconic New York scenes.
The Mysterious Captain Weems
Through September 29th | Memory Lane
New donations to the Museum’s collections supplement the story of Captain PVC Weems, who lived in Clarksville as a child and went on to invent navigational devices. The exhibit includes a sextant, navigation plotting ruler, and a star position calculator.
Remembering D-Day: 75th Anniversary
Through September 29th | Memory Lane
This exhibition presents World War II artifacts from the Museum’s collections and private collections including plans and maps of Normandy along with World War II senate surrender documents signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur.
The Art of Peggy Bonnington
Through September 1st | Harvill Gallery
Specializing in handmade papers and mosaics, local artist Peggy Bonnington brings her whimsical studies of color and shape to the Museum. Peggy is Co-Founder & Volunteer Artist Teacher at Arts for Hearts and is a member of the Downtown Artists Co-op. The exhibit will include both 2D and 3D pieces.
Programs and Events
Bring A Friend Weekend
Saturday, August 3rd | 10:00am–5:00pm
Sunday, August 4th | 1:00pm–5:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership
Celebrate National Friendship Day August 3rd and 4th with Customs House Museum & Cultural Center! Sign up to attend a workshop, receive special discounts in Seasons: The Museum Store, enter giveaways and more! Food trucks will serve up some summer favorites in the parking lot.
Members may bring an extra accompanying guest to share in this activity packed weekend! Learn more at www.customshousemuseum.org or at www.facebook.com/customshousemuseum.org
Exhibition Reception
Thursday, August 8th | 5:00pm–7:00pm | Members Only Event
Join exhibiting artists and museum staff for the opening reception of the Museum’s new exhibitions. New exhibitions include, Odyssey: An Exhibition of Recent Works by Paul Harmon, The Biggest and Most Important Things: A Duo Exhibition by Michelle & Aaron Grayum, and Jim Diehr: Imagined Perspectives. Light refreshments will be served.
Friday Mornings in August: Icebox Play!
August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th | Explorers’ Landing Drop-in | 10:30am–11:30am
Free with paid admission or membership | Ages 3–5 with adult caretaker
The “dog days” of summer are upon us, and it is hot! Chill out and have some “cool” fun at the Museum! We provide the ice, the fine motor tools, the paint, and the small Arctic figurines… your child brings the imagination. Come dressed for a mess!
Younger and older children may participate at adult’s discretion. All children must be supervised by their parents or caregivers.
Warning: Items used in these activities may include choking hazards for children younger than age 3.
Hands-on Activities: Exploring Nanoscience—Sunblock
Saturday, August 3rd & 17th | Family Art Studio Drop-in | 2:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | Grades K & above with adult caretaker
Sunblocks containing nanoparticles are one of the most common applications of nanotechnology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things.
Compare two lotions containing zinc oxide. One of them is composed of nanoparticles, and one of them isn’t. How are they different? Why would sunblock be composed of nanoparticulars? Find out in this simple and very brief science activity (suitable for ages 4 to adult).
Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: Create an Alien
Sunday, August 18th | Family Art Studio Drop-in | 1:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | For all ages, at parent’s discretion
Drop in the Family Art Studio at your leisure and create an out-of-this-world alien! You may leave it at the front desk in the Lobby to be displayed in the glass case in the Family Art Studio. Please put your name and phone number on your alien so we can notify you when to come pick it up in September.
While you are here, check out the UFO that has “landed” in the model train exhibit. Push the red button. What is happening to the cow?
First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, August 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.
Seasons: The Museum Store
Book Sale
Enjoy 20% off any one book purchased during the month of August at Seasons: The Museum Store. Come see our selection of new arrivals, books by local authors, and much more! No other discounts apply. Offer ends August 31st, 2019.
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
