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 December at the Museum are: Christmas Storefront: From the Museum Collection, Organic Abstract: The Art of Jennifer Bowman, Dr. Stanton’s Art of the Gun, Quilts From the Museum Collection, and Little Explorers: Cookie Monsters!
Customs House Museum Exhibits
Belgin Yucelen: Semblance
Through January 12th | Jostens Gallery
Belgin Yucelen studied sculpture at the Florence Accademia D’Arte, University of Colorado 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
Through 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
Through 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
Through 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.
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.
Quilts From the Museum Collection
November 24th–January 5th | Lobby Gallery
This exhibit features several antique quilts from the Museum’s collection. On display will be a Love Apple (Pomegranate) and a Bursting Star quilt from the 1800s along with a Crazy Quilt from 1920.
Programs and Events
Little Explorers: Cookie Monsters!
Fridays, December 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th | Explorers’ Landing
Drop-in between 10:30am–11:30am
Free with paid admission or membership | Ages 2 – 5 with adult
National Cookie Cutters Week and National Cookie Day both fall in December. We’ll have fun using different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters as we play with “cookie dough” (modeling compound Model Magic). We’ll also have various everyday items to make different imprints and textures, such as animal figurines, feathers, leaves, kitchen utensils, child-safe clay pottery tools, and more.
Or maybe squish, roll, and pull the Model Magic as we explore its properties! Children can create a festive holiday Model Magic “cookie” to take home. They can embellish their “cookie” with all kinds of decorations and even make it into a delightful ornament. *Model Magic “cookie” is non-toxic and for decoration only.
WARNING: Activities include items that may be a choking hazard. All parents must supervise their children.
Hands-On Explorers: DIY Toy Climber
Saturdays, December 7th & 21st | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 2:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | Grades K & above with adult
Finish your climbing toy using string and a few other materials. Your toy will climb to the top of a hook using a simple see-sawing motion. Enjoy racing your climbing creature with the ones your family members make!
Sunday Family Fun Learning Day: Hand-made Hanging Boxes
Sunday, December 15th | Family Art Studio
Drop-in between 1:00pm–4:00pm
Free with paid admission or membership | For all ages at parent’s discretion
Treasures can be found in large boxes (a new car) and in tiny boxes (an emerald ring). Some boxes are square, others round; some have four sides, some have eight. Boxes can even be made out of paper plates!
Join Sue Lewis, Curator of Education, in the Family Art Studio as we make and decorate paper plate hanging boxes that were designed by one of our teen members.
Enjoy some unusual boxes in the Inspiration Tower in the Family Art Studio. Be inspired to create your own unusual box!
Layered Poster Demonstration by Exhibits Preparator Randy Spurgeon & Lonnie Frey
Saturday, December 14th | 10:30am– 12:00pm | Museum Lobby
Join Museum Exhibits Preparator, Randy Surgeon and Lonnie Frey, granddaughter of famed poster designer Landy R. Hales for a wonderful demonstration. See the techniques used by Hales to create his layered posters. Don’t forget to stop by the Museum’s Kimbrough Gallery to see Hales original work.
Noel Night at Seasons: The Museum Store & First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday, December 5th | 5:00pm–8:00pm
Please join us for a night filled with holiday cheer and special discounts at Seasons: The Museum Store! Have a bite of some delicious holiday treats and enjoy a warm drink from our hot cocoa bar.
This year’s Noel Night will coincide with Downtown Clarksville’s First Thursday Artwalk which means the Museum will be open with free admission from 5:00pm-8:00pm.
Second Saturday Free Admission Day
Saturday, December 14th | 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.
December Member Appreciation Movie Night
Sponsored by Ufford Law & Mediation
Friday, December 20th | Doors open at 6:30pm, feature presentation starts at 7:00pm
Geraldine Brame Turner Auditorium (located inside the Museum)
Come dressed in your coziest holiday gear and celebrate the Holiday Season with an exclusive, MEMBER ONLY family-friendly movie night! On Friday, December 20th the Museum will present Disney’s The Santa Clause in the Geraldine Brame Turner Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 7:00pm. Complimentary movie themed snacks will be served. Members must present their membership card at the door to attend.
SEATING IS LIMITED—please reserve your seats by visiting customshousemuseum.org, sending an email to membership@customshousemuseum.org, or by calling 931.648.5780 ext. 2027.
If you need to purchase or renew your membership visit us online at www.customshousemuseum.org/contribute/membership
Closures
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center will be closed Tuesday, December 24th, 2019 for Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 25th, 2019 in observance of Christmas Day and Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 in observance of New Year’s 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
