Senator Bo Watson has been named chair of the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission. As chairman, Senator Watson will lead the DHSMC to oversee operations of the state museum located in Nashville.
The commission is entrusted by statute with establishing the strategic direction of the museum, with an emphasis on the educational and cultural enrichment of the citizens of this state. It also works to ensure that Tennesseans have access and exposure to the museum collections and special changing exhibits and that current collections are preserved appropriately and exposed to the public.
“The state museum consistently delivers outstanding and relevant exhibits for Tennesseans,” said Senator Watson.
“I’ve always been honored to participate in the artistic, cultural and historical education of those in our state, and I will keep pursuing those goals as chairman.”
The museum, as part of its ongoing goal of preserving and displaying objects relating to Tennessee history, has several permanent exhibits that cover the state’s founding, natural history, The Civil War and Reconstruction, recent state history and modern culture.
“Senator Watson has been a valuable contributor on our board for the past four years,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum. “It is clear that he understands and cares about our mission, so I’m thankful he’s continuing his service in this new position.”
The museum’s newest temporary exhibit entitled Painting the Smokies: Art, Community and the Making of a National Park will open on April 22. The display examines the history of the Great Smoky Mountains through the work of five artists active around the time of the park’s creation in the early 1900s.
Meanwhile, the Best of Tennessee Craft: 2021 Biennial exhibition, which features 75 craft artworks from artists across the state, will close on Feb. 20. The selection includes traditional forms and cutting-edge conceptual pieces made from a wide variety of sculpted materials.