Imperial Centre Closing Dates and Upcoming Exhibits

The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, Rocky Mount NC. It is located on the former sites of the Imperial Tobacco Company and old city library. Source: imperialcentre.org.
The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, Rocky Mount NC. It is located on the former sites of the Imperial Tobacco Company and old city library. Source: imperialcentre.org.

By Tameka Kenan-Norman, City of Rocky Mount NC

The Maria V. Howard Arts Center and the Children’s Museum and Science Center will close January 1-28, 2017, for maintenance and an exhibit changeover.

The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences will host its latest exhibit, “Backyard Adventures,” January 29, 2017, to May 7, 2017.

From the perspective of bees, known as the hardest working creatures on the planet, visitors to this exhibit will get an opportunity to discover the outdoors. Attendees will be as busy as a “bee” as they take a walk through a digital garden, see plants growing in super time, investigate creatures that appear only at night and more.

“Science doesn’t just happen in laboratories and classrooms. It’s everywhere, even in your own backyard,” stated Leigh White, curator of education for the Children’s Museum and Science Center. “We hope this exhibit will encourage visitors of all ages to get outside and explore.”

Remaining active is another element of “Backyard Adventures.” Participants will enjoy exhibits such as golf with a backyard theme and a giant skipping rope.

Across the hall, the Maria V. Howard Arts Center will showcase three new exhibits, also opening January 29, 2017. “Handcrafted” (juried by Mi-Sook-Hur), “Woodland Indian Journey” (by Lotus Blossom and Dreamweaver) and “Four Ways With Wood” (Graham Auman, O’Neal Jones, Mike Smith and Anthony Ulinski) all feature artists from North Carolina.

“Woodland Indian Journey” is a watercolor and acrylic exhibition featuring Native American artists. “Four Ways with Wood” is a woodworking exhibit with an emphasis on furniture and sculpture.

The opening reception for the three exhibits will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2017, from 2pm to 4pm. “Handcrafted” winners will be announced at 2:30pm. The reception is free and will include live music, food, and wine.

The Imperial Centre, which houses the Maria V. Howards Arts Center and the Children’s Museum and Science Center, is located at 270 Gay Street, in Rocky Mount NC.

Admission is free to the Maria V. Howard Arts Center.

Admission to the Children’s Museum and Science Center is $6 Tuesday through Saturday.

Admission is free on Sundays for Rocky Mount residents. For more information, call 252.972.1266, or visit imperialcentre.org.

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Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.