Category Archives: Museum

Museum of Discovery: Science After Dark — program for adults

Posted on by

The Museum of Discovery’s monthly “Science After Dark” program is tonight.  Specifically designed for adults, this month’s focus is on the world of Galileo!

Activities include:

  • Explore the Universe in our Starlab…
  • Make a “Throwie”…
  • Visit the Tinkering Studio…
  • Check out the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society…

The program runs from 6pm to 8pm.

Admission is free for members and $10 for non members.
21 and over only (leave the kiddos at home!).
Cash Bar Available.

For more information call 501-537-3073.

John Glenn in Little Rock

Posted on by

Sen. Glenn speaking to kids at the Museum of Discovery

50 years ago today, astronaut Col. John Glenn orbited the Earth.

Seven years and three months ago, as a former U.S. Senator, he visited Little Rock’s Museum of Discovery for a series of events in conjunction with the opening of the William J. Clinton Presidential center.

The Museum opened a new exhibit that week entitled “Space and the Presidency.” While that exhibit is no longer on display at the museum, there are many exciting new exhibits for audiences of all ages.

 

Old State House: Growing Up in Arkansas

Posted on by

The Old State House museum opens a new exhibit today – “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing Up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980.” The exhibit is a collective memory of growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980 and is told by the people who did it.  Through the exhibit, Growing Up in Arkansas, curator Dr. Margaret Jones Bolsterli conveys the importance of passing family histories from one generation to another.

The exhibit is comprised of five themes: community, family, work, school, and leisure. Bolsterli said that she “envisions this exhibit as a collective memory of growing up in Arkansas told by the people who did it.” Oral histories will be a highlight of the exhibit, some included in surprising ways. Each theme of the exhibit will be encapsulated in its own vignette, detailing a special sense of time and place. Artifacts will be included in each of these settings, revealing the layers of what life was like for past generations. Visitors will experience these time capsules and reflect on the past in Arkansas.

The museum, a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is open from9am to 5pm on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday it is open from 1pm to 5pm.

Time to Return to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Posted on by

Tomorrow afternoon (2/16), the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will open a new exhibit on the life and career of General Douglas MacArthur.  The building which houses the museum was the birthplace of the future five star general.  As a part of the reception, a new painting will be unveiled in commemoration of the 136th anniversary of his birth.

The reception is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on February 16 at the museum in historic MacArthur Park.

While at the museum, be sure and check out A Splendid Little War: Arkansas and the Spanish-American War which runs through April.  It explores America’s role in the brief war with Spain over territory, the destruction of the “USS Maine” and the many Arkansans who volunteered for service during the war. On display are uniforms, weapons, a battle flag from the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, memorabilia surrounding the war and many other artifacts used by Arkansans serving in the war.

Heart of Art

Posted on by

From the recent Tesseract Dancing exhibit at Historic Arkansas Museum, here is Brett Anderson’s Stone Cold.  Made of alabaster and stainless steel, this 7″x6″x6″ sculpture is either abstract or realistic depending on the angle.  Unfortunately the LR Culture Vulture only has this one photo of it so you cannot truly appreciate his artistry.

The Tesseract Dancing exhibit showcased Anderson and Emily Galusha.  It was a wonderful exhibit and a great showcase for two up-and-coming Arkansas artists.

LEGO artist back at Clinton Center tonight

Posted on by

LEGO portrait of President Clinton

Back by popular demand, the Clinton Presidential Center hosts a second appearance by lawyer-turned-artist Nathan Sawaya.  In his remarks, he will relay how his childhood love of LEGOs has transformed into his artistic expression.

Sawaya’s works on display at the Center include buildings, furniture, animals and even “paintings.”

The exhibit “Art of the Brick” continues until February 12.

After the program, guests are invited to tour the exhibit. Sawaya will be signing copies of his book, The Art of the Brick Pictorial, which is available for purchase at the Clinton Museum Store.

Admission is free. Children are welcome. To reserve your seats e-mailing Joy Secuban at jsecuban@clintonfoundation.org or call (501) 370-8000.

Who Needs a Groundhog? The LR Zoo Has Thor!

Posted on by

THOR

The Little Rock Zoo’s Sloth Bear, Thor, predicted the quick arrival of spring today during a weather prediction ceremony this morning at the Zoo.

Punxsutawney Phil may “hog” most of the attention on Groundhog Day, but Thor is the one to watch.  When presented with two treat boxes- one representing “spring,” the other representing “winter”- Thor sniffed out the “spring” treat box, indicating an early spring for Arkansans.

Zoo General Curator Mark Shaw read Thor’s proclamation aloud after the sloth bear made his prediction, “Here ye, here ye, what do I see?  An early spring is in store for thee.  With the snort of my nose, winter will come to a close, and that sounds good to me.”

Zoo staff welcomed the prediction and said they are eager to start the spring season and invited everyone to visit the best place for family recreation and conservation education, the Little Rock Zoo.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit http://www.aza.org.