CLARKSVILLE, TN –Here’s what is happening at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in April.

Museum Exhibitions

Nature’s Blueprints: Biomimicry in Art and Design, April 6 – May 25 | Orgain & Bruner Galleries. The forms, patterns and processes found in the natural world can inspire our design of everything from clothing to skyscrapers. This exhibit brings together art and design with environmental science using artifacts, artworks and photography, as well as interactive learning stations.

Month of the Military Child Art Show, April 10 – May 31 | Memory Lane. April is Month of the Military Child, a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome. In partnership with the USO, this special exhibit features selected artwork by local children with an active-duty parent or guardian.

Mapping Wars, April 18 – July 6 | Kimbrough Gallery. This exhibit features artifacts from the Civil War to World War II, giving insight to the strategies and plans of those engaged in battle. Take a closer look at hand-drawn maps, government documents, battle flags and more.

Jammie Williams: Stories, Dreams and Visions, April 18 – July 6 | Kimbrough Gallery. Jammie Williams is a professional painter and sculptor who lives and works in Middle Tennessee. His art is representational and often use symbolic imagery. “My works are inspired by my personal memories, feelings, and emotions. I work towards conveying moods, the expression of dreams, wonder and renewal by creating personal myths and narratives. This series of works shows an exploration of these ideas.”

Art of the Horse, through April 9 | Kimbrough Gallery. This invitational show features a variety of 2D, and 3D works of art inspired by the equine. Artists include Jill Soukup, Booth Malone, Matt Flint, Mary Ross Bushholz, Sandy Graves, Rox Corbett, Shawn Cameron and more.

A Woman’s Room, through April 16 | Lobby. From hairpins to high heels and anything in-between, check out this selection of artifacts from the Museum collections pertaining to women’s fashion.

Waiting Room: A Print Series by Belgin Yucelen, through May 20 | Harvill Gallery. Created by the artist during the 2020 shutdown, Waiting Room is a print series depicting people in isolation and their windows to the outside, beyond reach. Originally from Turkey and now based in Colorado, Belgin Yucelen’s art remains true to the desire to create meaning and beauty in subtle simplicity.

Elena Burykina: Brushed Expressions, through May 21 | Jostens Gallery. Elena Burykina is a figurative artist based in Chattanooga. As a child in Ukraine, she received a classical art education which she used for over a decade as an architect. Now as a full-time artist, her focus is portraiture, where she seeks a connection with the model to explore their personalities, moods and thoughts.

The Poetry Around Us: Women Painting the Outdoors, through May 28 | Crouch Gallery. Capturing the beauty of the outdoors across painting mediums and geographical locations, this invitational exhibit features works of art from more than a dozen award-winning, nationally recognized women artists.

Museum Events

Mission: Nutrition, Children’s Health Fair, April 1 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | All ages, with adult.  Free with membership or paid admission | Museum’s Lower Level. In partnership with students of Public Health at Austin Peay State University, the 2023 Children’s Health Fair features a variety of programming related to nutrition and healthy eating. Learn about everything from local crops to cuisines around the world, adding color and variety to your plate and much more with hands-on activities throughout the Museum.

First Thursday Art Walk, April 6 | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., free to the public. The Museum offers free admission during First Thursday Art Walk Clarksville from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Firelime Offshore Grille food truck will be set up in the Courtyard serving up some delicious eats.

History on the Rocks @ The Mailroom: A Listen & Learn Happy Hour, April 20 | 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Join us Downtown at The Mailroom for a special history happy hour with Second & Commerce magazine. Check out the newest issue along with conversations with contributing writers!

Fifth Saturday Donation Day, April 29 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fifth Saturday is Donation Day! During any month with five Saturdays, on the fifth Saturday any monetary donation to the Museum is your admission.

Museum Programs

Storytime & Craft, April 6 & 20 | 10:30 a.m. | All ages, with adult, free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio. Join us in the Family Art Studio as we read our favorite children’s books and create fun themed crafts! *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.

Blue Star Books: Storytime & Giveaway, April 7 | 11 am | All ages, with adult; free with membership or paid admission | Turner Auditorium. The Blue Star Books Program positively impacts the lives of military- and veteran-connected families through the power of reading. Join us at the Museum for a special reading of Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland. Children will also receive a book to take home, while supplies last!

Earth Day at the Museum, April 22 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | All ages, with adult; free with membership or paid admission.  Celebrate Earth Day with art and science activities at the Museum! Show your love for the planet by creating a windsock to blow in the spring breeze. Then, learn about water pollution with a special experiment in our Courtyard. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children. 

Family Art Saturday: Build-A-Bug, April 29 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Ages 3+, with adult, free with admission | Family Art Studio.  Get lost in imagination and create your own bugs! Turn construction paper and glue into custom critters. *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.

F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains, exhibit open daily | Trains run Sundays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy one of the largest model railroad layouts in the region boasting a miniature castle, UFO and scenic landscape. Interact with the miniature world by making automobiles move and helicopters fly. The model train exhibit is open daily and themes change every season.

Seasons: The Museum Store

Pottery Sale, offer expires April 30, 2023. Stop by Seasons: The Museum Store and check out our beautiful, locally-crafted pottery items. All pottery items are 10% off; members receive 20% off.