Ackland Events

Virtual Art Adventures - Watercolor Resist Paper Vases
2021-10-09 13:00 - 13:45, 2021-10-09 10:30 - 11:15 (America/New_York) | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join us as the Ackland takes our popular Art Adventures class online with instructor Allison Tierney! This program will focus on exploring the many Chinese vases in Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon.
Class sessions will be limited to 15 participants*. A supply list and Zoom meeting link will be distributed to registrants prior to the class session. To use Zoom, students will need access to an internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet with a built-in microphone; caregiver assistance may be needed. Art Adventures is geared towards children aged 6-9.

*Families with more than one child can participate together and should only register once.
During this time, we want to make sure price isn’t an added burden for families – please select the ticket price that you feel comfortable with ($0.00 or $5.00).
If you encounter registration issues, please email us at acklandRSVP@unc.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience.

CANCELLED: Ackland Film Forum Panel | Spellbinding: The Cinematic Virtuosity of Barry Jenkins
2021-10-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances owing to the artists’ schedules, this event has been cancelled.
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Across his three feature films to date (Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight, and If Beale Street Could Talk), Barry Jenkins has devised a new cinematic vocabulary for the portrayal of Black experience in the United States. With sumptuous imagery and hypnotic soundscapes, Jenkins has embraced aesthetic beauty as a strategy for addressing the past and present injustices that bear on the lives of marginalized characters. His 2021 miniseries, The Underground Railroad is adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. A haunting, atmospheric account of two runaway slaves in the Antebellum South, the series is Jenkins’ most daring directorial work yet.
The Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature will host two virtual screenings (Tuesdays, September 21 and September 28, 8 p.m.) in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See below for full details.
CANCELLED: Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, October 5
“Spellbinding: The Cinematic Virtuosity of Barry Jenkins”
Our virtual roundtable will feature two of Jenkins’ longtime collaborators: Joi McMillon (editor, and the first Black woman to be nominated in the Best Editing category of the Academy Awards) and Onnalee Blank (re-recording mixer/supervising sound editor). Join us for a conversation with these artists about how they work together to make such intensely affecting sounds and images, saturated with emotion and keyed to social consciousness.
The roundtable will be moderated by Rick Warner (Director of Film Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and Associate Professor, English and Comparative Literature). This virtual roundtable discussion will be held on Zoom.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances owing to the artists’ schedules, this event has been cancelled.
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Full Ackland Film Forum Fall Line-Up
First Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 21, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 1: Georgia”
“Chapter 2: South Carolina”
Register here for first screening and watch party link
Second Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 28, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn”
“Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”
Register here for second screening and watch party link
CANCELLED: Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, October 5
“Spellbinding: The Cinematic Virtuosity of Barry Jenkins”
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances owing to the artists’ schedules, the panel discussion has been cancelled.
These virtual screenings and the roundtable are co-sponsored by the Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See https://ecl225.unc.edu for further details.

UNC Family Weekend Tour
2021-10-03 13:00 - 13:30 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Welcome Carolina Families!
Meet in the lobby for a 30-minute, guided tour of the Ackland Art Museum’s collection led by an Ackland Student Guide. Space is limited.
This event is planned in connection with UNC’s Family Weekend (Oct 1-3). We welcome visiting UNC families as well as members of the public.

Ackland Film Forum: "The Underground Railroad" Second Virtual Screening
2021-09-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Across his three feature films to date (Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight, and If Beale Street Could Talk), Barry Jenkins has devised a new cinematic vocabulary for the portrayal of Black experience in the United States. With sumptuous imagery and hypnotic soundscapes, Jenkins has embraced aesthetic beauty as a strategy for addressing the past and present injustices that bear on the lives of marginalized characters. His 2021 miniseries, The Underground Railroad is adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. A haunting, atmospheric account of two runaway slaves in the Antebellum South, the series is Jenkins’ most daring directorial work yet.
The Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature will host two virtual screenings (Tuesdays, September 21 and September 28, 8 p.m.) in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See below for full details.
Second Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 28, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn”
“Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”
Tonight’s Second Virtual Screening features two episodes towards the end of The Underground Railroad series: “Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn” and “Chapter 9: Indiana Winter.” We invite you to watch along with us and chat with series organizers within the streaming platform. This virtual event will be held as an Amazon Prime Video Watch Party and viewers must have access to their own Amazon Prime account to join the Watch Party. The Watch Party link will be sent via email to registered participants on the day of the program (Tuesday, September 28, before 8 p.m.). Viewers must access the Watch Party on desktop browsers (except Apple Safari and Internet Explorer) or on FireTV devices in the Prime Video app. For full Amazon Prime Watch Party FAQs, click here: https://www.amazon.com/adlp/watchparty.
Register below for free tickets to the Watch Party and the link to join.
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About “Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn”
Royal brings Cora to Valentine Farm, a thriving Black community and vineyard on the bountiful Indiana frontier. Carrying the scars of her journey, Cora struggles to find peace in this new home. 1 h 6 min, 13 + — Amazon Prime Video
About “Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”
Cora’s presence as a fugitive ignites tensions amongst the Valentine community. Just as she was beginning to make this her home, chaos reigns. 1 h 17 min, 18 + — Amazon Prime Video
Content advisory for The Underground Railroad: Smoking, alcohol use, substance use, sexual violence, portrayals of suicide, nudity, violence, foul language.
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Full Ackland Film Forum Fall Line-Up
First Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 21, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 1: Georgia”
“Chapter 2: South Carolina”
Register here for first screening and watch party link
Second Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 28, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn”
“Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”
Register below for second screening and watch party link
CANCELLED: Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, October 5
“Spellbinding: The Cinematic Virtuosity of Barry Jenkins”
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances owing to the artists’ schedules, the roundtable event has been cancelled.
These virtual screenings and the roundtable are co-sponsored by the Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See https://ecl225.unc.edu for further details.

Ackland F.A.M. (Families at the Museum): The Artsy Alphabet
2021-09-26 13:00 - 17:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Kick off the autumn season at the Ackland! Explore the art of lettering throughout history, complete an A-to-Z scavenger hunt, and design your very own alphabet book inspired by art.
Self-guided activities will be on hand at the museum and online components will be added to ackland.org for virtual visitors.
Free Family Art Kits
Pick up an art kit with materials to design your own Ackland Alphabet Book. Available in the Museum Lobby from September 26th to October 13th or until supplies last.
Storytime
Listen as Jackie Zhang, Public Programs Intern, reads a story that connects to art on view in Ackland Upstairs.
Self-Guided Activities
A to Z Scavenger Hunt
ONLINE: Explore the Ackland’s collection of works that relate to the alphabet!

Ackland Film Forum: "The Underground Railroad" First Virtual Screening
2021-09-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Across his three feature films to date (Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight, and If Beale Street Could Talk), Barry Jenkins has devised a new cinematic vocabulary for the portrayal of Black experience in the United States. With sumptuous imagery and hypnotic soundscapes, Jenkins has embraced aesthetic beauty as a strategy for addressing the past and present injustices that bear on the lives of marginalized characters. His 2021 miniseries, The Underground Railroad is adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. A haunting, atmospheric account of two runaway slaves in the Antebellum South, the series is Jenkins’ most daring directorial work yet.
The Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature will host two virtual screenings (Tuesdays, September 21 and September 28, 8 p.m.) and a virtual roundtable discussion (Tuesday, October 5, 7 p.m.) in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See below for full details.
First Virtual Screening
Tuesday, , September 21, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 1: Georgia”
“Chapter 2: South Carolina”
Tonight’s First Virtual Screening features the first two episodes of The Underground Railroad series: “Chapter 1: Georgia” and “Chapter 2: South Carolina.” We invite you to watch along with us and chat with series organizers within the streaming platform. This virtual event will be held as an Amazon Prime Video Watch Party and viewers must have access to their own Amazon Prime account to join the Watch Party. The Watch Party link will be sent via email to registered participants on the day of the program (Tuesday, September 21, before 8 p.m.). Viewers must access the Watch Party on desktop browsers (except Apple Safari and Internet Explorer) or on FireTV devices in the Prime Video app. For full Amazon Prime Watch Party FAQs, click here: https://www.amazon.com/adlp/watchparty.
Register below for free tickets to the Watch Party and the link to join.
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About “Chapter 1: Georgia”
When Caesar convinces Cora to escape form the Randall plantation in Georgia their lives are irrevocably changed. They discover the impossible in an underground railroad which takes them on an unexpected journey and reveals the true face of America. 1 h 8 min, 18 + — Amazon Prime Video
About “Chapter 2: South Carolina”
Griffin, South Carolina — a seeming paradise of progress and racial harmony that hides dark secrets, especially secrets of “Bessie” and “Christian.” Meanwhile, bounty hunter Arnold Ridgeway begins his pursuit of Cora. 1 h 6 min, 18 + — Amazon Prime Video
Content advisory for The Underground Railroad: Smoking, alcohol use, substance use, sexual violence, portrayals of suicide, nudity, violence, foul language.
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Full Ackland Film Forum Fall Line-Up
First Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 21, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 1: Georgia”
“Chapter 2: South Carolina”
Register below for first screening and watch party link
Second Virtual Screening
Tuesday, September 28, 8-10 p.m.
“Chapter 8: Indiana Autumn”
“Chapter 9: Indiana Winter”
Register here for second screening and watch party link
Virtual Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, October 5, 7-8 p.m.
“Spellbinding: The Cinematic Virtuosity of Barry Jenkins”
Our virtual roundtable will feature two of Jenkins’ longtime collaborators: Joi McMillon (editor, and the first Black woman to be nominated in the Best Editing category of the Academy Awards) and Onnalee Blank (re-recording mixer/supervising sound editor). Join us for a conversation with these artists about how they work together to make such intensely affecting sounds and images, saturated with emotion and keyed to social consciousness.
Register here for roundtable
These virtual screenings and the roundtable are co-sponsored by the Ackland Film Forum and the Department of English and Comparative Literature in celebration of the department’s 225th anniversary. See https://ecl225.unc.edu for further details.

Artist Conversation: Christopher Myers
2021-09-17 15:30 - 16:30 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join us for a virtual conversation between artist Christopher Myers and the Ackland’s Lauren Turner, assistant curator for the collection. Myers’s work Fish Pieta (2020)(seen at right) is a new acquisition in the Museum’s permanent collection and is featured in the 2021-2022 Close Looks series. In this free Zoom webinar, we’ll hear from Myers about this recently-acquired work and how it fits into his larger body of work exploring global cultural exchange.
Get free tickets to this virtual webinar below! Registered participants will receive a Zoom link in the email provided.
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Christopher Myers is an artist and writer who lives in New York. While he is widely acclaimed for his work with literature for young people, he is also an accomplished fine artist who has lectured and exhibited internationally. He writes, “I’ve been asking the question lately, ‘What does it mean to be an artist whose work is rooted in the experience of global cultural exchange?”
More than the simple small-world market-driven exchanges that mark some artists, whose practices are rooted in the anthropological or outsourcing models of cultural exchange, he is interested in the aesthetic bridges that have been built organically across cultures, classes, and geographies, and has been creating work in those in-between spaces for years. His practice can be divided into two categories, work by his own hands that lives in the syncretic, the hybrid, and the improvised, and collaborations with artisans from around the globe, extending the conversation of cultural movement across continents and artistic milieus.
He has worked with traditional shadow puppet makers in Jogjakarta, silversmiths in Khartoum, conceptual video artists in Vietnam, young musicians in New Orleans, woodcarvers in Accra, weavers in Luxor and many other artists, who he sees as all being part of one large conversation about the movement of culture, and the ways that languages are borrowed globally, traded from South to South, in order to address the specific local concerns of people that have been thrust into contexts that range far beyond their locality.
From https://www.kalyban.com/
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Live closed captioning will be provided for this event.

Ackland at Fall Arts Pop Up 2021
2021-09-17 11:00 - 13:00, 2021-09-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Davis Library Courtyard, Chapel Hill, 27514, United States
Visit the Ackland’s art-making station as we welcome Carolina students back to campus alongside Arts Everywhere!
Stop by our table on Thursday, September 16 or Friday, September 17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Davis Library Courtyard.
Pick up materials to make origami shapes inspired by our upcoming exhibition, Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon, which opens on October 8, 2021.
Fold Your Own Lotus Flower

The Lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions, as a symbol of enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth.
Fold (and COLOR) Your Own Dragon Eye at Home

Transform paper into a moveable and colorful dragon eye! You will also need coloring pencils, markers, or crayons.

Test Your Skills with This Intermediate Level Dragon Origami
In China, dragons are regarded as a symbol representing imperial power, strength, and good luck.
Learn more about Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon

John D. Rockefeller 3rd (1906–1978), the founder of Asia Society, bequeathed the institution a collection of nearly three hundred works of art, which he had assembled with his wife, Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller (1909–1992), in the decades after World War II. Their collecting was intended for more than personal gratification; they believed in the capacity of art to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and to positively influence international relations, with the goal of improving understanding between citizens of the United States and those of Asia.
Through the lens of nearly seventy works from that foundational gift, Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon: Masterworks from the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society illuminates the impact and transformation of artistic styles associated with Buddhism and Hinduism — belief systems born in India — as they were transmitted across the continent over hundreds of years. Likewise, ceramics and metalwork from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand — intended to sustain life both in this world and the next — reveal complex networks of artistic exchange, through trade, missionary activity, and political and social change. Great artistic achievements of Asia’s diverse cultures are on view here; their presentation continues the Rockefellers’ vision of sharing extraordinary works of art with audiences in the United States.
Learn more about getting involved at the Ackland

Student memberships are free for UNC-Chapel Hill students. Benefits include a discount at the Museum Store, free and reduced admission to regular programming, and more!

Virtual Art Adventures - Draw Your Own Home
2021-09-11 13:00 - 13:45, 2021-09-11 10:30 - 11:15 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join us as the Ackland takes our popular Art Adventures class online with instructor Allison Tierney!
Class sessions will be limited to 15 participants*. A supply list and Zoom meeting link will be distributed to registrants prior to the class session. To use Zoom, students will need access to an internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet with a built-in microphone; caregiver assistance may be needed. Art Adventures is geared towards children aged 6-9. We will be drawing our own homes in the style of artist Niles Spencer!

*Families with more than one child can participate together and should only register once.
During this time, we want to make sure price isn’t an added burden for families – please select the ticket price that you feel comfortable with ($0.00 or $5.00).
If you encounter registration issues, please email us at acklandRSVP@unc.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Drawing in the Galleries: Draw & Discuss
2021-09-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Inspired by our Drawing in the Galleries program and the amazing variety of drawings on view in the Ackland’s current exhibition Drawing Attention, Draw & Discuss offers the chance to experience the comradery and creativity of Drawing in the Galleries at a time when gathering in large groups isn’t possible. Both longtime Drawing in the Galleries attendees and new participants are encouraged to draw on their own and then join us for a virtual discussion. All levels are welcome.
DRAW
Come on your own to the Ackland’s galleries to draw from five works* featured in Drawing Attention that have been selected for this program by Amanda Hughes, longtime facilitator of the Ackland’s Drawing in the Galleries program. Materials will be available at the Ackland’s drawing station, or you may bring your own dry materials (pencils, colored pencils, crayons, paper).
DISCUSS
On Saturday, September 11 at 10 a.m., join Amanda Hughes on Zoom for an informal virtual conversation about what you’ve noticed looking closely and drawing along. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
*Works List (some are available digitally, if you aren’t able to visit in person):
Henri-Emile Giraud
French, 1825-1892
Portrait of a Gentleman, c. 1850
black and white chalk
The Robert Myers Collection, 2015.10.82
Available online: https://ackland.emuseum.com/objects/26038/
Raphael Soyer
American, born in Russia, 1899-1987
Lovers, c. 1954
crayon and watercolor
Bequest of Charles and Isabel Eaton, 2009.31.105
Joel Daniel Philips
American, born 1989
Dyos, 2017
graphite and charcoal
Gift of Cathy and Hunter Allen, 2019.50
Gerrit Lamberts
Dutch, 1776-1850
A view of the Kleine Haarlemmersluis in winter with the Martelaarsgracht beyond, seen from the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, 1816
pen and brown ink, washes of brown and gray inks, over traces of graphite
The Peck Collection, 2017.1.114
Available online: https://ackland.emuseum.com/objects/27358/
Pierre Bonnard
French, 1867-1947
Landscape, perhaps 1920s
graphite
Joseph F. McCrindle Collection, 2010.4.8

Art & Lit: “Visions of Venice” and Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities"
2021-09-09 15:30 - 17:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
This program is now SOLD OUT. To be added to a waitlist, please email acklandRSVP@unc.edu. Thank you!
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Join us in reading (or rereading!) Italo Calvino’s 1972 classic novel Invisible Cities, which features a fictional Marco Polo describing fascinating vignettes of his travels to an aged Kublai Khan. After you’ve read it, spend time exploring James McNeill Whistler’s captivating 1879 etchings of Venice, on view June 18-September 12 in the Ackland’s newest exhibition Visions of Venice.
As the exhibition comes to a close, join us on Zoom for a lively virtual art and literature discussion with the Ackland’s Director of Education and Interpretation Carolyn Allmendinger, UNC Professor Emerita of Art History Mary Pardo, and UNC Italian Studies & Environmental Humanities Serenella Iovino, where we’ll discuss the resonances between the novel and artworks.
GET THE BOOK:
Ticket includes one copy of Invisible Cities and shipment to your home. Please provide your mailing address when you check out.
JOIN US FOR THE DISCUSSION:
Zoom link is provided with ticket confirmation email. A reminder will also be sent closer to the program date.
Presented in partnership with Carolina Public Humanities.
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This program is now SOLD OUT. To be added to a waitlist, please email acklandRSVP@unc.edu. Thank you!

Ackland Away for the Day: FRANK
2021-09-09 10:00 - 11:30 | 101 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join us on an Ackland Away for the Day trip to FRANK gallery to meet painter Gordon Jameson and textile artist Michelle Maynard. They will discuss their current works on view as well as the history of FRANK gallery.
Gordon Jameson learned to use (and love) oil paint at about the age of 8 from his grandmother. Jameson graduated from Franconia College in 1977 with a degree in painting and fine art, moved to Boston, MA and set up a studio. He had his first public exhibition at Gallery 281 on Newbury Street, Boston the following year. From Boston, Jameson worked and lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, finally settling in North Carolina in 1993. Jameson has shown his work nationally and is in many private collections in the US and Europe. Over the years, Jameson has been an active member of the art community having served on Boards or as a member of a number of organizations. He was one of the founding member artists of the Franklin Street Arts Collective (FRANK Gallery) in Chapel Hill, NC, and was its Board Chair for six years.
Michelle Maynard grew up in Atlanta and Honolulu. She earned an MFA in 1980 from the University of Michigan and has taught at the Oregon College of Arts & Crafts and the Penland School. Michelle’s artwork is in city and state collections in the Northwest and numerous corporate collections around the US. She moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 1989, raising a family in the spanning years. Her past commercial work includes print designs for Fabricart, Inc, illustration for Whole Foods Market and the World Wildlife Fund Canada. She was a founding member of Frank Gallery in Chapel Hill.
Learn more about FRANK here.
Image Credit: Michelle Maynard, American, Threadpoem, Jardin, du Pin, hand stitched fabric collage, 14 in x 14 in. (35.56 x 35.56 cm).

Close Looks Conversational Tour: "10 Trashy Ideas about the Environment" by the Guerrilla Girls
2021-09-02 12:30 - 13:15 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join Erin Dickey, Ackland Graduate Teaching Fellow, for an informal conversation about the Guerrilla Girls’s 10 Trashy Ideas about the Environment, a work featured in the Ackland’s Close Looks project. Plan to look closely and think collectively.
Registration is limited. Sign up for free tickets to this in-person program below.
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All visitors to the Ackland and its programs must wear a mask (ages 2 and above) and should familiarize themselves with the Ackland’s latest visitor protocols. We look forward to seeing you back in the galleries!

Tar Heel Beginnings Presents: Student Night at the Museum
2021-08-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Carolina students: want to experience the Ackland Art Museum after hours? Join Tar Heel Beginnings for this Weeks of Welcome event at the Ackland for self-guided tours and open access to the galleries for UNC-Chapel Hill students. Refreshments and prizes provided to attendees. Plus find out how to join the Student Membership program (completely free)!
Join us for night of art, friends, and unique student experiences!
RSVP on Heel Life: https://heellife.unc.edu/event/7212951

Weeks of Welcome: Open House
2021-08-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Check out the Ackland Art Museum, Carolina’s local art museum with a global outlook. Explore the Ackland’s free exhibitions, find out how to get involved as a student, and take a self-guided tour of the Museum designed especially for new students!

Virtual Art Adventures Afternoon Session - Exploring Op Art
2021-08-14 13:00 - 13:45 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States
Join us as the Ackland takes our popular Art Adventures class online with instructor Allison Tierney!
Class sessions will be limited to 15 participants*. A supply list and Zoom meeting link will be distributed to registrants prior to the class session. To use Zoom, students will need access to an internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet with a built-in microphone; caregiver assistance may be needed. Art Adventures is geared towards children aged 6-9.

*Families with more than one child can participate together and should only register once.
During this time, we want to make sure price isn’t an added burden for families – please select the ticket price that you feel comfortable with ($0.00 or $5.00).
If you encounter registration issues, please email us at acklandRSVP@unc.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Virtual Art Adventures Morning Session - Exploring Op Art
2021-08-14 10:30 - 11:15 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States

Museum Pictionary
2021-08-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Think you can draw a work of art from description alone? Join us for an afternoon of virtual drawing games based on works now on view in Drawing Attention. Test your drawing skills against two of the Ackland’s curators, Dana Cowen and Lauren Turner, in our Zoom-based, museum version of Pictionary! We’ll take turns drawing and describing and learn more about the art on view in Drawing Attention along the way.
About Drawing Attention
In its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the Ackland has always paid special attention to works on paper. This exhibition presents around seventy European and American drawings, watercolors, and collages, selected from well over 570 acquired both by gift and by purchase over the past twelve years.
The works in the exhibition showcase a broad chronological span, from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries, and a variety of techniques and functions. The display includes works by a wide range of artists, including Domenichino, Jan van Goyen, Thomas Gainsborough, Edgar Degas, Otto Dix, Robert Motherwell, Thornton Dial, Marcel Dzama, and Lauren Frances Adams. The works are presented in ten thematic sections: Varieties of Portraiture; American Abstraction of the 1960s; Fantasy and Transformation; Image and Text in Contemporary Art; German Modernism; Christian Piety; Landscapes and Architectures; Cartoon and Caricature; Sketches and Studies in Nineteenth-Century France and Britain; and a special wall devoted to Very Recent Arrivals which can accommodate new acquisitions made even during the run of the show.
Drawing Attention, organized by Peter Nisbet, deputy director for curatorial affairs, has been made possible by generous support from the Ackland’s National Advisory Board.

Family & Friends Sunday: Whistler's World
2021-07-25 13:00 - 17:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Visit us virtually or find art activity kits to enjoy with your friends or family group in the galleries.
This month, enjoy art-inspired activities inspired by James McNeill Whistler’s etchings in Visions of Venice including:
FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY KIT | MUSEUM LOBBY

Pick up our Visions of Venice Family Activity Art Kit and try your hand at scratchboard art! Quantities are limited; one per person.
ART MAKING ACTIVITIES | EXPLORE AT HOME
D.I.Y. Scratch Art (ages 4 and up)
Foil Engraving
CURATOR’S CONVERSATION: “Visions of Venice” with Dana E. Cowen
Watch the Ackland’s Sheldon Peck Curator of European and American Art before 1950, Dana E. Cowen, as she speaks about Visions of Venice.
VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE PEACOCK ROOM | 2:30 P.M. EDT
Join the Ackland as we ‘visit’ the Freer Gallery of Art in D.C., space is limited to 15 households. The tour will be one hour in length and suitable for all ages.
The Peacock Room and American Art
Freer Gallery of Art founder Charles Lang Freer did not only acquire diverse holdings of Asian art; he also assembled outstanding examples of American art in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Today, the Freer Gallery of Art houses the world’s largest collection of works by James McNeill Whistler, including his famed Peacock Room.
Registration will open on June 18th. Email acklandrsvp@unc.edu with any registration issues. A Zoom link will be provided in the days leading up to the online tour.
WHISTLER’S NORTH CAROLINA CONNECTION
Whistler’s mother, Anna, was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is the subject of his famous work, Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, commonly known as Whistler’s Mother. The piece resides in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
Read several of her letters published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1925. Her final letter in this ten-page document indicates that her son, James, is about to travel to Venice to make a set of twelve etchings – sound familiar?

Public Art Concept Presentation with The Urban Conga
2021-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States
Please join us in a Zoom webinar where design firm The Urban Conga will present concepts under development for the next public art commission to be installed on the Ackland’s front terrace. They will introduce an assortment of possible designs being considered, and then they will follow the presentation by answering questions and receiving feedback from participants. This forum is open to the public.
The Urban Conga focuses on promoting community activity and social interaction through open-ended play. The studio has been awarded the Architizer A+ Firm of the Year Award for Small Projects in 2021.
If you encounter registration issues, please contact email us at acklandRSVP@unc.edu.

Virtual Art Adventures Afternoon Session: Blind Contour Drawing
2021-07-10 13:00 - 13:45 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States
Families with kids ages 6-9 are invited to join us virtually for a hands-on art-making class inspired by art on view in Drawing Attention. This month, we’ll make Blind Contour Portraits with instructor Allison Tierney!
Class sessions will be limited to 15 participants.* A supply list and Zoom meeting link will be distributed to registrants prior to the class session. To use Zoom, students will need access to an internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet with a built-in microphone; caregiver assistance may be needed.

*Families with more than one child can participate together and should only register once.
During this time, we want to make sure price isn’t an added burden for families – please select the ticket price that you feel comfortable with ($0.00 or $5.00).
If you encounter registration issues, please email us at acklandRSVP@unc.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Virtual Art Adventures Morning Session: Blind Contour Drawings
2021-07-10 10:30 - 11:15 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States

Curator's Conversation: Introduction to "Visions of Venice"
2021-07-09 15:30 - 16:30 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States
Join Dana E. Cowen, Sheldon Peck Curator for European and American Art before 1950, for an in-depth look at Visions of Venice. In this virtual discussion, participants will learn more about the circumstances of Whistler’s 1879 trip to Venice, his unique views of the floating city, his experimental working method, and how his works were received back in London.
Visions of Venice: Etchings by James McNeill Whistler from the Collection of Ambassador C. Boyden Gray showcases thirty of Whistler’s etchings of Venice and explores some of the artist’s most picturesque and atmospheric views of the city. Through his use of varied lines, compelling compositional motifs, and creative printing techniques, Whistler depicted sites unknown to the average tourist, such as back alleyways, obscure canals, and working-class neighborhoods, that challenged the expectations of nineteenth-century viewers and still captivate us today.

Family & Friends Sunday: Day of Drawing
2021-06-27 13:00 - 17:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Visit us virtually or find art activity kits to enjoy with your friends or family group in the galleries.
This month, enjoy art-inspired activities exploring the wide-ranging themes and works in Drawing Attention including word art, watercolors, and landscapes.
Zoom Storytime | 2:30 P.M. EDT
Join the Ackland’s Public Programs Coordinator as she reads “Cat Says Meow: And Other Animalopoeia” by Michael Arndt!
Register on Zoom here.
Free Family Art Kit | Museum Lobby
Pick up our Drawing Attention Family Activity Art Kit and get inspired by “Untitled (Filling up Time)” by Chris Johanson. Quantities are limited; one per person.
At Home Art Making
Blow Painting with Straws by the Artful Parent
Inspired by the American Abstraction of the 1960s section of Drawing Attention, try out this simple yet exciting activity! Supplies needed: paper, watercolor paints, straws, and lots of air!
Inspiration: Paul Jenkins and Damien Hirst – for a more advanced activity, visit the Tate UK website!
Textured Landscapes by the Children’s Museum of San Jose
Create a drawing inspired by a landscape that recreates texture through the use of lines! Get inspiration from two works in the Ackland: Jean Metzinger’s “Landscape” and Max Liebermann’s “Village Scene”.
If you’re in the galleries, don’t miss Pierre Bonnard’s “Landscape” as an example of creating texture with lines!

Curator's Tour of "Drawing Attention"
2021-06-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join Drawing Attention curator and Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Peter Nisbet for an in-person tour of the exhibition.
Space is limited and registration is required below. Participants must adhere to the Ackland’s current visitor policies, including wearing a mask while in the Museum and practicing social distancing.
If this event reaches capacity and you’d like to join the waitlist, please email acklandRSVP@unc.edu.
About Drawing Attention
In its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the Ackland has always paid special attention to works on paper. This exhibition presents around seventy European and American drawings, watercolors, and collages, selected from well over 570 acquired both by gift and by purchase over the past twelve years.
The works in the exhibition showcase a broad chronological span, from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries, and a variety of techniques and functions. The display includes works by a wide range of artists, including Domenichino, Jan van Goyen, Thomas Gainsborough, Edgar Degas, Otto Dix, Robert Motherwell, Thornton Dial, Marcel Dzama, and Lauren Frances Adams. The works are presented in ten thematic sections: Varieties of Portraiture; American Abstraction of the 1960s; Fantasy and Transformation; Image and Text in Contemporary Art; German Modernism; Christian Piety; Landscapes and Architectures; Cartoon and Caricature; Sketches and Studies in Nineteenth-Century France and Britain; and a special wall devoted to Very Recent Arrivals which can accommodate new acquisitions made even during the run of the show.
Drawing Attention, organized by Peter Nisbet, deputy director for curatorial affairs, has been made possible by generous support from the Ackland’s National Advisory Board.

Arts & Drafts: Watercolors with Craftboro
2021-06-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom (Link Provided with Ticket), United States
Learn watercolor basics from a regional artist, hear about watercolors on view in the Ackland’s newest exhibition, and taste local beers with the brewer who crafted them at a virtual version of our hands-on art-making and beer-tasting event. This summer’s event will feature watercolor artist Jeanine Tatlock, curator Dana Cowen, and brewer/owner Jason McCarter of Craftboro. Presented in connection with Drawing Attention (on view June 18 – Sept 12, 2021).
Event Tickets (includes art kit):
$13, includes art kit and virtual program ticket. Cost of the growler (and bottle deposit) is additional. Event tickets must be purchased through the Ackland calendar. Beverages must be purchased through Craftboro.
Art Kits:
After you buy your tickets, your art kit full of supplies for the event can be picked up at Craftboro Brewing Depot between June 15 and June 24. While you’re there, purchase a growler of Craftboro beer or a non-alcoholic beverage from the menu of options selected for our event.
Beverages:
Beer and non-alcoholic beverages must be purchased on site at Craftboro at time of pickup or through Craftboro’s website: https://commerce.arryved.com/location/BDsMDyTE.
In-Person Pickup and Curbside Pickup are available for online beverage orders. Craftboro Brewing Depot is located at 101 TWO HILLS DRIVE UNIT 180 (just off S. Greensboro Street), CARRBORO, NC 27510.
Event Location:
This is a virtual event held on Zoom. Your link to join will come in your confirmation email. If you do not see it, please check your spam or junk folder. Email acklandRSVP@unc.edu if you encounter any problems.

Curator's Tour of "Drawing Attention"
2021-06-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
Join Drawing Attention curator and Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs Peter Nisbet for an in-person tour of the exhibition.
Space is limited and registration is required below. Participants must adhere to the Ackland’s current visitor policies, including wearing a mask while in the Museum and practicing social distancing.
This tour will be offered a second time on Saturday, June 26, at 2:00 p.m.
About Drawing Attention
In its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the Ackland has always paid special attention to works on paper. This exhibition presents around seventy European and American drawings, watercolors, and collages, selected from well over 570 acquired both by gift and by purchase over the past twelve years.
The works in the exhibition showcase a broad chronological span, from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries, and a variety of techniques and functions. The display includes works by a wide range of artists, including Domenichino, Jan van Goyen, Thomas Gainsborough, Edgar Degas, Otto Dix, Robert Motherwell, Thornton Dial, Marcel Dzama, and Lauren Frances Adams. The works are presented in ten thematic sections: Varieties of Portraiture; American Abstraction of the 1960s; Fantasy and Transformation; Image and Text in Contemporary Art; German Modernism; Christian Piety; Landscapes and Architectures; Cartoon and Caricature; Sketches and Studies in Nineteenth-Century France and Britain; and a special wall devoted to Very Recent Arrivals which can accommodate new acquisitions made even during the run of the show.
Drawing Attention, organized by Peter Nisbet, deputy director for curatorial affairs, has been made possible by generous support from the Ackland’s National Advisory Board.
