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 November at the Museum are: Belgin Yucelen: Semblance, Hunt Slonem: Both Sides of the Brush, Christmas Storefront: From the Museum Collection, The Recent Works of Leah Foote, Dr. Stanton’s Art of the Gun, Hands-On Explorers: Take Flight, Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: Rabbits Galore.
Customs House Museum Exhibits
Belgin Yucelen: Semblance
November 1st–January 12th | Jostens Gallery
Belgin Yucelen studied sculpture at the Florence Accademia D’Arte, University of Colorado at Boulder, Art Students League of Denver, and Scottsdale Art School. Semblance is an installation of sculptural garments that redefine the sophistication of cultures of the past in contemporary forms.
Hunt Slonem: Both Sides of the Brush
November 1st–January 5th | Orgain & Bruner Galleries
Neo-Expressionist artist Hunt Slonem’s playful paintings often depict multiples of the same subject in a loosely composed grid, and are rendered with gestural brush strokes. This exhibit contains works from the Museum collection, the Tennessee State Museum collection, as well as new pieces from Hunt’s studio.
Christmas Storefront: From the Museum Collection
Through January 5th | Memory Lane
This holiday exhibit in Memory Lane showcases a festive street of shops featuring items from the Museum collection.
The Recent Works of Leah Foote
November 5th–December 31st | Harvill Gallery
Clarksville artist Leah Foote works in watercolors and mixed media. She is a member of the 2 Rivers Painters, Downtown Artists Co op, and the Tennessee Watercolor Society.
Organic Abstract: The Art of Jennifer Bowman
October 25th–January 13th | Crouch Gallery
Kentucky native, Jennifer Bowman is a self-taught contemporary non-objective abstract artist. Her work continues to develop a strong following and has been shown on HGTV, as well as being included in the collections of Taylor York (Paramore), Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, Holly Williams (musician/daughter of Hank Williams, Jr.), other music legends, and professional athletes.
Dr. Stanton’s Art of the Gun
Through December 31st | Kimbrough Gallery
An exhibition of Dr. John Stanton’s artisan rifles and pistols is featured in the Museum’s Kimbrough Gallery. Clarksville’s own Dr. Stanton not only builds each gun, he designs themed engravings and bone inlays within each piece.
Landy R. Hales: American Master of The Layer Poster & Fashions of the Time
Through December 31st | Kimbrough Gallery
Landy R. Hales was a well-known designer in New York City in the 1920s and 1930s. Later in life, from age 60 to 82, he used his design experience and patented techniques to create an extensive, colorful body of work based on personal themes. Mr. Hales made each poster by hand using coping saws, chisels and wood files. Supplementing the art are fashions from the Museum collection.
Scouts
Through November 24th | Lobby Gallery
For over 100 years, scouting organizations have shaped our youth through engaging experiences to build character and develop skills. This exhibit explores the evolution of scouting in Montgomery County through items in the Museum’s Collections. Featured items include an edition of the first Girl Scouts of America Handbook and a quilt from the 1986 Tennessee Homecoming celebration.
Programs and Events
Little Explorers: A Thanksgiving “Experience”
Fridays, November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th | Explorers’ Landing
Drop-in between 10:30am–11:30am
Free with paid admission or membership | Ages 2 – 5 with adult
Little ones will experience Thanksgiving in a whole new way as they explore sensory bins filled with the colors, textures, and objects associated with Thanksgiving. Plus, they can make a craft to take home using decorative Indian corn.
WARNING: Activities include items that may be a choking hazard. All parents must supervise their children.
Hands-On Explorers: Take Flight!
Saturdays, November 2nd & 16th | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 2:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | Grades K & above with adult
November is National Aviation Month! Conduct a simple science experiment that demonstrates how airplanes stay up in the air. Make a variety of paper airplane models embellished with fun and colorful illustrations. Experiment with the physics of flight as you modify your airplanes to improve their flight and perform loops, dives, and other stunts. Take your planes home with you, as well as a copy of the Association of Paper Airplane Pilots Paper Airplane Pilot’s License.
Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: Rabbits Galore!
Sunday, November 17th | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 1:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | For all ages at parents discretion
Dozens of rabbits will be “hopping” through the Museum during the exhibition of artist Hunt Slonem’s work! Join Sue Lewis, the Museum’s Curator of Education, in the Family Art Studio as you paint, draw, and construct a multitude of rabbits to decorate the Family Art Studio and some for taking home. Visit the exhibit Hunt Slonem: Both Sides of the Brush to enjoy more of Slonem’s creations.
Learn more about Hunt Slonem at this site, a segment from the CBS Sunday Morning program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLNCZWhCmk
Bring your own special not-live rabbit to show Ms. Sue!
Fall Exhibitions Reception & First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, November 7th | 5:00pm–7:00pm
Join the Museum for a reception celebrating new fall exhibitions featuring artists Hunt Slonem, Jennifer Bowman, Landy R. Hales, Belgin Yuclelen and more! The Museum will be open to the public with free admission as part of Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Art Walk.
Second Saturday Free Admission Day
Saturday, November 9th | 10:00am–5:00pm
The Museum is open to the public with free admission all day from 10:00am–5:00pm as part of our monthly Second Saturday Free Admission Day.
Seasons: The Museum Store
Kids Toys Sale
Enjoy 10% off all kids toys. Stock up for the holidays and those long car rides! Members get 20% off. Offer expires November 30th, 2019.
Closures
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Thursday, November 28th, 2019 in observance of Thanksgiving 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
