ncartmuseum

Ansel Adams is one of my favorite artist and America’s most renowned photographers. His black and white photographs reveal the importance Adams placed on the awe-inspiring power and beauty of the natural world. When I heard that his Masterworks were on display thru May 7, 2017 at NCMA/North Carolina Museum of Art, I knew I wanted to plan a day for my family (fondly referred to as #HeighPartyof3) to visit Raleigh’s beloved art museum. All hands in, let’s get ready to explore!

I have been to the NCMA before to catch a special theater performance presented by Theatre Raleigh , but have never been during the day or with my husband and daughter. We moved here in 2015 and still are discovering places we love to go to as a family. This art museum along with its park is now one of our favorite places. Admission is always free (there is a charge for programs and special exhibitions), there are Weekend Family-Friendly tours and Free Public Tours, a restaurant on the premise, and an amazing museum park ! Before you even step inside of the buildings, there is art and the beauty of nature to behold.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is the crown jewel of the Southeast U.S. art world .It is comprised of two buildings, East and West and a Museum Park. This complex has an impressive collection of art and artifacts comparable to other first tier museums. Be sure to ask for special kids art exercisize booklets that the little ones can use while touring the museum. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to Monet watercolor paintings to Rodin sculptures, this museum is world class. We started in the WEST BUILDING ,which is home of NCMA’s permanent collection, it houses Iris Restaurant and Iris Sip, the Museum store and the Southeast’s largest collection of sculpture by Auguste Rodin in the Rodin Court and Garden. As impressive as their permanent collections are, their special exhibits are just as amazing.

*Savvy Tip: if you are seeing the museum with your child/children ages 2-5, be sure to pick up a What’s in the Box? Activity Cards. We had fun exploring art through themes provided on the cards.

We needed a food break and lucky for us we scored a coveted reservation at the renowned Iris restaurant inside of the West Building. Most museum restaurants are known for high quality food and Iris did not disappoint. Their brunch menu was available and we took advantage of it. Uur 5 yr old enjoyed their all the fixins waffle. While I had their chicken salad and hubby ate the Huevos Rancheros. All inventive and filling without being too heavy.The airy atmosphere and all of the smartly dressed guests made it a pleasant lunch to remember.

*Here is where I take my break from getting my Ansel Adams black and white photography on to show you their delicious food in color! *

After Brunch, we headed over to the EAST BUILDING , which is where the exhibitions are, the North Carolina Gallery, the seasonal film series is held, contemporary galleries, the Art Reference Library, and the Membership and Box Office is located. Here is where we picked up our tickets for our time slot to see Ansel Adams Masterworks. No photography is allowed in the gallery and they do have family friendly guided tour times.

As one of the most famous American photographers, Ansel Adams captured the natural wonders of the American west like no other. This exhibit had a plethora of original Adam prints taken over the course of his 5 decades behind the lens. The framed black and whites are placed at even eye level with the perfect overhead lighting. It was crowded but you could still freely gawk and ponder at all of his wonderful work.

I hope my family’s visit to the North Carolina Museum of Art (and my personal black and white photo tribute to Ansel Adams) has inspired you to plan to go with your family. There is something for all ages to enjoy! Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ncartmuseum or Check out ncartmuseum.org for tickets and more information !

North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Road

Raleigh, NC 27607

919-839-NCMA ncartmuseum.org

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing performing arts amongst art as Theatre Raleigh partnered with NCMA to present “The Light in the Piazza”.

Based on Chapel Hill resident Elizabeth Spencer’s novella, the Tony Award–winning musical centers on a chance meeting between Clara, a childlike young woman who travels from Winston-Salem to the “land of naked marble boys” aka Italy with her mother, and Fabrizio, a handsome Florentine. The Light in the Piazza takes place in Italy in the summer of 1953. Margaret Johnson (Judy McLane), the wife of an American businessman, is touring the Tuscan countryside with her daughter, Clara (Hilary Maiberger). While sightseeing, Clara, a beautiful, surprisingly childish young woman, loses her hat in a sudden gust. As if guided by an unseen hand, the hat lands at the feet of Fabrizio Naccarelli (Conor Ryan), a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara. This brief episode, charged with coincidence and fate, sparks an immediate and intense romance between Clara and Fabrizio. Margaret, extremely protective of her daughter, attempts to keep Clara and Fabrizio apart. As The Light in the Piazza unfolds, a secret is revealed: in addition to the cultural differences between the young lovers, Clara is not quite all that she appears. Unable to suppress the truth about her daughter, Margaret is forced to reconsider not only Clara’s future, but her own hopes as well.

Bravissimo! to Eric Woodall, Director and the cast/crew for doing an amazing job of transporting the audience to Italy by way of stories, statues and stellar performances! Theatre Raleigh is known for its intimate and invigorating presentations, so partnering with NCMA to bring this musical love story to life and staging it amid the beautiful Italian and ancient Roman sculpture in the Museum’s Classical Court was brilliant!

If you are in RALEIGH, NC, this show is a must see! July 6-10 (all performances sold out *as of 7/6/16 , a few seats have been released and on the day of each performance, just 10 standing room tickets will be made available on Theatre Raleigh’s website for just $20) and July 11-14 (the 14th is sold out). Tickets are $32.50 adults and $30.50 senior/student/military. NCMA members $27.50- $30 adults and $28 senior/student/military and are available at http://www.theatreraleigh.com. Group rates available by calling the box office – 919-832-9997. Be sure to check out Theatre Raleigh 2016 Hot Summer Night Series to see what other performances are happening this summer before it sells out!

Here are a few pictures captured prior to the performance/during intermission ..enjoy!