There's a lot going on at regional museums in the coming weeks besides art shows -- concerts, musical theater, gourmet dinners and jazz brunches. For those whose artistic taste trends more toward high-class than bluegrass, they may also be interested in the ongoing photojournalism exhibition of work from the New York Times magazine at Hunter Museum of American Art as well as a new sculpture show opening at the Association for Visual Arts this week.
According to local sculptor Roger Halligan, whose is in AVA's juried exhibition, the show is the first partnership with the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance. Halligan says the alliance's membership comes from Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama with mediums ranging from Ann Rowles's large crocheted sculptures of body parts to Andrew Light's welded steel.
John McLeod's "Illuminated" will be on display during AVA's Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Member Show.John McLeod, the only other Chattanoogan whose work is in the MSA/AVA exhibit, has created a piece of art from an elm tree damaged by lightning in Coolidge Park. The 26-inch-high work, titled "Illuminated," is a swirl of wood with individually carved steel pieces handset into the wood.
'"Illuminated' is a discussion about beauty and decay existing in the same time and place," says McLeod. "The inspiration comes from many walks in the woods and discovering that some of the most attractive and interesting trees stand out from the others because of damage they have adapted to or the fact that they have been gnarled by time."
Here's a preview of what's on tap around the region; mark your calendars.
Association for Visual Arts
30 Frazier Ave. 423-26-4282
* Jan. 9-Feb. 27: Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Member Show. Opening reception 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Participating artists are Luke Achterberg, Lawrence Bottomly, Glenn Dasher, Kurt Dyrhaug, Juanita Greenspan, Roger Halligan, Jane Jaskevich, Wanda Knowles, Andrew Light, David Marquez, John McLeod, Ann Rowles and Paul Schneider.
Athens Area Council for the Arts
320 N. White St., Athens, Tenn. 423-745-8781
* Jan. 6: Arts on the Side, noon, free, bring sack lunch and see preview of "Pippin," presented by the Athens Community Theatre.
* Jan. 16: Run Boy Run concert, 7:30 p.m., $15 adults, $8 students. Bluegrass string band has appeared on "A Prairie Home Companion," won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's 2012 band contest and the Pickin' In the Pines contest.
* Feb. 19-March 1: "Pippin," directed by Art Kimball with musical direction by Ellen Kimball.
Dalton Creative Arts Guild
520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. 706-259-1822
* Jan. 5: Photography exhibit opens, featuring work by the Carpet Capital Camera Club.
Hunter Museum of American Art
10 Bluff View, 423-267-0968
* Today: Free First Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m., explore gallery, watch screening of "Dialogues: Documentary as Democratic Form" at 1:30 p.m., a film premiere by Chattanooga native Rob Winslow. The Mary Holliday Ensemble will play in the lobby at 3 p.m.
John McLeod's "Illuminated" will be on display during AVA's Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Member Show.* Through March 22: Exhibit of New York Times Magazine photographs, $9.95 adults, $4.95 children over age 3;$5 on Free First Sundays at Hunter. Exhibit features the work of 35 artists from around the world.
* Feb. 19: ArtWise Distinguished Speakers at the Hunter Presents Photojournalist Lynsey Addario, 6 p.m., free to Hunter members, $9.95 nonmembers. Addario's work is featured in the New York Times Magazine photo exhibit; she will discuss and sign her new book.
* March 20-July 12: Eudora Welty exhibit opens.
* April 2: Chattanooga Film Festival kickoff celebration, 5-7 p.m., free.
* June 25-Sept. 20: Monet & American Impressionism exhibit opens.
Museum Center at Five Points
200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn. 423-339-5745
* Through Feb. 7: "Pioneering Pulpits: The First Ocoee Churches."
* Jan. 6: Old Christmas, 6:30-8 p.m., free for museum members, $5 nonmembers. Museum Center and Cleveland Storytelling Guild celebrate Epiphany as well as old Appalachian traditions of early settlers through storytelling and song.
* Jan 25: Grape Escape, gourmet dinner with wine pairings at Cafe Roma, 220 Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn., 6-9 p.m., $100 member's ticket, $125 nonmember's ticket.
* March 12-14: 15th annual Stitches in Time Quilt Show, museum members may enter up to three quilts at no charge, nonmembers must pay $10 per quilt and are limited to two entries. Show limited to first 110 quilts received.
North River Civic Center
1009 Executive Drive, 423-870-8924
* Through Feb. 28: North River Wildlife Fine Art Exhibit: "Camouflage."
* March-May: Art In Motion exhibit by the Civic Arts League.
* Jan. 16: Sunset Concert Series featuring Scenic City Chorus, 7 p.m., free.
* Feb. 27: Sunset Concert Series featuring Jericho Brass, 7 p.m., free.
* March 20: Sunset Concert Series featuring Choo Choo Men's Chorus, 7 p.m., free.