Sep 25, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present several workshops and public programs in relation to the 2013-2014 exhibition season. Public programs are open to visitors with paid museum admission. Workshops range from half-day to multiple days and feature local and regional artists who will demonstrate and teach techniques in a variety of media. Registration is open to the public, and all are welcome to participate. Registrations may be made by calling the 231-995-1573, or online at www.dennosmuseum.org; click on “Box Office,” then “Buy Tickets Now.” Questions about workshops should be forwarded to the Dennos Education Department at 231-995-1029 or jdake@nmc.edu.
Thursday, October 10, 2013 – 6:00-8:00pm
POETRY SLAM: A Poetry Reading and Writing Workshop with Ann Bardens-McClellan
Janis Room at the Dennos Museum Center
FREE with paid admission ($4 for children and college students with ID; $6 adults; Free for members and NMC students with ID)
Join us for a reading and signing of Journey to the Centre with poet Ann Bardens-McClellan, followed by a workshop for anyone interested in writing a poem inspired by artwork in the galleries. Light refreshments will be served. Groups of 4 or more please call ahead, 231-995-1029.
Wednesday & Thursday, October 16-17, 2013 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
PAINTING WORKSHOP: “Do a Landscape, Then Do Something to the Landscape” with Hank Feeley
Janis Room at the Dennos Museum Center & NMC Grounds
Bring your lunch
$40 members / $50 non-members (includes $2 ticket fee)
The exhibition, Art of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, features many works that were painted outdoors or “en plein air.” Artist Hank Feeley will present a two day workshop incorporating traditional landscape techniques as well as exercises in creative exploration. With the instructor’s guidance you will paint a vivid landscape in an outdoor setting, and then add imaginative or unexpected elements to your work. This workshop is great for those just learning or artists who need to change things up.
Billy Collins writes, “If Hank Feeley were not so strikingly original, I would say that he stands at the intersection of Magritte and Marvel Comics, but as it is, he has his own way of disorienting the viewer so we can see again, now with our perception refreshed.”
Paradoxically, Feeley is a graduate of both Harvard Business School and The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). He is a lecturer and visiting artist at both Ox-Bow and SAIC, and is represented by First Street Gallery in New York and Packer/Schopf Gallery in Chicago. Feeley’s work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally. His best-selling book, Painting the Magic of Sleeping Bear Country, was published recently by Leelanau Press.
Sunday, October 20, 2013 – 4:30pm – 7:30pm
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: An Introduction to the View Camera with Gregory D. Seman
At the Good Harbor Dock Pilings
(location: Off M-22 at the northern end of Good Harbor Trail/Co. Road 651)
$17 members / $22 non-members (includes $2 ticket fee)
In conjunction with his book and exhibition, Shine On, photographer Gregory D. Seman will demonstrate the use of his 8×10” film view camera during twilight hours on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Good Harbor. Participants are encouraged to bring their own camera for use on location. The fee for this workshop includes a boxed meal; menu is available online when you register. Participant will be responsible for paying admission to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, based on applicable rates, found at http://www.sleepingbeardunes.com .
Born and raised in Flint, Michigan in 1959, Traverse City became Gregory D. Seman’s adopted hometown in 1990. Greg’s lifelong fascination of black and white photography began at age twelve, when he taught himself to develop film and contact print; a passion that has continued to this day. He now photographs with 4×5 and 8×10 inch film cameras, exposing and developing each sheet of film individually, and printing the black and white negative himself on silver gelatin paper in the darkroom. The effort applied to each negative and print reflects Greg’s respect and passion for Michigan and his intention to portrait its uniqueness.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Sep 24, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College presents several family programs in conjunction with the 2013-2014 exhibition season. Family programs are held throughout the year to offer family-friendly educational opportunities in Traverse City. All programs are open to visitors with paid museum admission.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
SUNDAY WITH A RANGER
1:00pm & 2:00pm
Dennos Museum Center Galleries
Museum admission ($4 for children and college students with ID; $6 adults; Free for members and NMC students)
Join a park ranger from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on a tour of the exhibition, Art of the Sleeping Bear Dunes: Transforming Nature into Art. Learn about the history, geography, and ecology of one of the most spectacular places on Earth while viewing paintings and other artworks by local and regional artists. And you won’t get sand in your shoes!
Friday, November 29, 2013
BLACK FRIDAY FUN DAY
10:00am – 5:00pm
Dennos Museum Center
Museum admission ($4 for children and college students with ID; $6 adults; Free for members and NMC students)
Whether you are shopping for the holidays in the Museum Store, or looking for something educational and entertaining for the family, the Dennos Museum Center is the place to be! Spend a day at the Dunes during the off-season by completing a scavenger hunt of the museum, including the exhibition, Art of the Sleeping Bear Dunes: Transforming Nature into Art. Children, ages 16 and under, will receive a special prize for finishing the scavenger hunt.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. Admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 for children and free to museum members. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Aug 18, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College will present a range of public programs in conjunction with the National Geographic exhibition, Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution. All programs are free with museum admission ($10 adults, $5 children, museum members, & NMC students).
The programs are a partnership between the Museum and local bird organizations in support of Birds of Paradise. Saving Birds Thru Habitat, located in Leelanau County, will offer a series of “Sundays are for the Birds” programs for families and adults at the Dennos Museum Center. Wings of Wonder, located in Empire, will present “A Bird’s-Eye View: An Interactive Raptor Experience” featuring live birds on July 15, August 15, and August 30, also at the Dennos.
“These programs represent the kind of partnership the Dennos Museum Center wants to make happen,” says Jason Dake, Curator of Education. “This is why the museum exists – to present engaging and educational programming for the community.”
“Our organization is delighted to partner with the Dennos on an exhibition centered on one of the most beautiful and fascinating avian families in the world. Partnering with other agencies and non-profit organizations helps us spread the word about the importance of bird conservation,” said Kay Charter, Executive Director of Saving Birds Thru Habitat.
“The WOW Ambassador Raptors and I invite our community to join us as we soar to new heights in education,” says Rebecca Lessard, Executive Director of locally operated Wings of Wonder. “It’s a real feather in the cap of the Dennos Museum Center to bring these fantastic programs to our area and we are thrilled to be appearing in such stellar company.”
All attendees are encouraged to call 231-995-1029 to reserve a space for each program.
SUNDAYS ARE FOR THE BIRDS
June 30, 1pm – Bird & Bugs Outdoor Explorers
Join SBTH for an exploration of NMC Main Campus in search of birds and the bugs they eat! Ages 4 and up, with adult. Meet in lobby. Free with museum admission.
July 21, 1pm – Birding at NMC
SBTH Director Kay Charter will lead a group on a birding expedition through NMC Main Campus. Binoculars provided. All ages welcome. Meet in lobby. Free with museum admission.
August 11, 2pm – Northern Michigan Birds of Paradise
SBTH will present an illustrated lecture about the migration and selection processes of Northern Michigan birds. Janis Room. Free with museum admission.
August 18, 1pm – Birding at NMC
SBTH Director Kay Charter will lead a group on a birding expedition through NMC Main Campus. Binoculars provided. All ages welcome. Meet in lobby. Free with museum admission.
August 25, 1pm – Bird & Bugs Outdoor Explorers
Since our migrating birds have finished with their nesting duties and the fledglings are all grown up, most have now begun that long flight back to their Tropical wintering grounds. Join us to take a virtual “Bird ‘n Bug Safari” by playing Saving Birds Thru Habitat’s Great Migration Game.” This game will help people of all ages learn about the challenges faced by migrating birds.
September 8, 2pm – Michigan’s Tropical Connections
Greg Butcher, Migratory Bird Program Coordinator at the US Forest Service, will present an illustrated lecture about Neotropical migratory patterns of birds that breed in Michigan. Janis Room. Free with museum admission.
A Bird’s-Eye View: An Interactive Raptor Experience
July 15, August 15, August 30 – 1pm: Visit the Dennos on these dates at 1pm for a special treat. Included with museum admission, Wings of Wonder’s Rebecca Lessard will present exciting and educational programming featuring live birds! All ages welcome. Meet in lobby. Free with museum admission.
All attendees are encouraged to call 231-995-1029 to reserve a space for each program.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. During Birds of Paradise, admission is $10.00 adults, $5.00 for children and museum members. For information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Aug 11, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College invites new docent volunteers interested in working with K-12, college, and adult tour groups. Docents help fulfill the mission of the Dennos Museum Center by contacting teachers to discuss learning goals, preparing and presenting tours in a team, teaching art projects to students, and evaluating the success of various educational activities. In addition, being a docent connects you with a large and welcoming family of like-minded learners that provide support and encouragement.
Docent training occurs on Tuesday mornings and includes presentations about the collections, discussions about art and science topics related to special exhibitions, and hands-on workshops involving interactive tour techniques. New docents are expected to complete training between September and December 2013, and begin shadowing on tours in January.
A successful docent is someone with a flexible schedule who enjoys learning and teaching, particularly in the areas of arts and science. A strong knowledge of art is not required, but a willingness to learn is a must.
If you would like to be a part of the docent team, please contact Jason Dake, Curator of Education, at jdake@nmc.edu or 231-995-1029, to set up a meeting no later than September 6, 2013.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM, and Sundays 1-5 PM. During Birds of Paradise, admission is $10.00 adults, $5.00 for children, NMC students, and museum members. For information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Jun 28, 2013 | Intercom, Student News
Starting June 16, 2013, take a journey to New Guinea and the exotic world of birds-of-paradise with “Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution,” a National Geographic Traveling Exhibition coming to the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College that reveals all 39 species of these elusive birds for the first time. Highlighting the groundbreaking research of photographer Tim Laman and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist Edwin Scholes, the exhibition, born out of the duo’s important scientific achievement, features the extravagant plumage, crazy courtship dances and bizarre behaviors of the extraordinary birds. The exhibition will run from June16 through September 22, 2013.
Equal parts natural history, photography and science exhibition, “Birds of Paradise” gives visitors an in-depth look into the lives of birds-of-paradise. Visitors will meet Tim Laman and Ed Scholes through introductory videos as they enter the exhibit, where they will also be greeted with natural soundscapes, traditional wood carvings and a montage of all 39 birds-of-paradise species. They will be able to dive into their groundbreaking research and learn brand new information about each of the 39 species, all finally photographed for the first time in history.
In addition, visitors can examine the bizarre courtship dances that the males perform to attract the females. Interactive games such as “Dance, Dance Evolution” let people dance along with the birds to learn their signature moves. The first-ever video of the female’s point-of-view of the dances is shown, captured through an innovative use of equipment created by Laman and Scholes. Photos, videos, bird specimens and a kinetic sculpture of a riflebird (a bird-of-paradise species) also show the transformations that birds-of-paradise undergo to attract their mates and the various moves that make up their mating rituals. Visitors can also manipulate artificial tree branches to trigger video footage of different birds displayed on their perches, with commentary from Scholes.
The exhibition highlights the importance of birds-of-paradise to New Guinea. Maps and diagrams of the birds’ ranges across the country explain how the country’s environment allowed the birds to adapt and evolve over time. Legends and folklore are shared from generations past.
“We were pleased to be invited by National Geographic, in their 125 Anniversary year, to be the opening venue for the national tour of this informative and fun exhibition about these amazing birds,” says Gene Jenneman, Executive Director of the Dennos, “As the Dennos enters its 22nd year of service to our region, we are excited to partner with National Geographic to bring this truly special exhibition to the Grand Traverse area and the State of Michigan.”
Admission to the Dennos Museum Center during the run of this special exhibition will be $10 for adults and $5 for children and museum members.
OPENING EXHIBITION RECEPTION AND EVENTS
Dennos Museum Center members and the community are invited to a ticketed preview opening reception for the exhibition on Saturday June 15 at 7 PM. The reception will feature champagne from L Mawby Vineyards and plated hors d’oeuvres followed by a program in Milliken Auditorium at 8 PM presented by Kathryn Keane, VP of Exhibitions at National Geographic Museum and Edwin Scholes, ornithologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who has studied the birds of paradise for more than a decade and is a leading authority on their behavior and evolution. Scholes will be available to sign the National Geographic book he and Tim Laman produced in association with their research on the birds of paradise as part of the evening’s events.
Tickets for the opening reception and program are $15 for museum members and $20 for non-members. They can be purchased online at www.dennosmuseum.org/birds or by calling 231-995-1573.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
The Dennos Museum Center will present a range of public programs in conjunction with the National Geographic exhibition, Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution. All programs are free with museum admission to the exhibition.
The programs are being developed and will be presented in partnership with two important local bird organizations, Saving Birds Thru Habitat and Wings of Wonder. For more information on these educational programs go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call Jason Dake, Curator of Education at the Dennos, at 231-995-1029.
The Dennos Museum Center is open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday’s until 8 PM and Sundays 1-5 PM. For more information on the Museum and its programs, go to www.dennosmuseum.org or call 231-995-1055. The Dennos Museum Center is located at 1410 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686, at the entrance to the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is nonprofit, member-supported organization with the mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Founded in 1915, the Lab is supported by 50,000 members and engages 200,000 citizen-science participants and 6 million bird enthusiasts who connect online at www.allaboutbirds.org. As a proud unit of Cornell University, the Lab has a leading team of faculty, educators, conservation scientists, and engineers continuing a strong history of excellence in science, technological innovation, and outreach. Learn more at www.birds.cornell.edu.
ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations and one of the world’s leading organizers of large-scale, traveling exhibitions. Since it launched “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” in 2004, National Geographic has organized two more Egyptian-themed exhibitions, “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” and “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt.” Other exhibitions National Geographic has organized include the four-city U.S. tour of “Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul.” National Geographic also offers a broad selection of stunning photography exhibitions to museums and venues around the world. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
