![\"Clarksville's](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/customshouselogo.jpg\" "\\"Clarksville's")
Clarksville, TN<\/strong> – The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center\u2019s annual Flying High fundraiser takes place Saturday, May 19th, 2018 at the Clarksville Country Club. The theme to this 35th<\/sup> annual event is \u201cSouthern Soir\u00e9e\u201d, inspired by the beauty of Charleston and the low country of South Carolina.<\/p>\nFestivities begin at 5:00pm with cocktails and Big Board bidding opportunities.<\/p>\n Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and include cuisine steeped in Charleston charm, followed by dancing to live music by The Pink Cadillac Band-Nashville.<\/p>\n The theme of \u201cSouthern Soir\u00e9e\u201d was chosen by Event Chair Laura Crow, also the current Chairperson of the Museum Guild, whose members have spent months planning and organizing the event with the assistance of Museum staff.<\/p>\n Laura explains: \u201cCharleston is a city steeped in history with beautiful architecture, wonderful food, and amazing gardens. I hope to see you at Flying High where we support our local museum which, like Charleston, is full of history, art, architecture, and adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Andrews and Laura Crow with Signature Piece<\/p><\/div>\n This year\u2019s signature artist is sculptor Mike Andrews, a well-known local artist and educator. As this year’s Flying High 2018 Signature Artist, Mike Andrews has carved a beautiful walnut sculpture entitled “In Memory of Olen”. Mike says of the piece inspired by his teacher, mentor, and friend, the late Olen Bryant:<\/p>\n “Olen inspired me to be involved in our community; he gave so much to the Museum and the City of Clarksville. He has been on my mind a lot for the last few years, so I think I have been channeling his muse. Some of the carvings I have been creating lately are inspired by him and his work: the simplicity of design, the focus on craftsmanship, and the joy of carving. The work I donated was created in honor of Olen. He will always be in my heart and on my mind. I hope all will enjoy the work as much as I did creating it.”<\/p>\n [320left]”In Memory of Olen” will be available for bid during the highly anticipated live auction, alongside other items such as an original Olen Bryant sketch donated by Glenn Edgin of The Framemaker, an exquisite 14 kt yellow gold Ametrine gemstone necklace from Elliot\u2019s Jewelers and a catered dinner for 24 at F&M Bank\u2019s Franklin Room.<\/p>\n Flying High is the Museum\u2019s largest fundraising event of the year, with proceeds benefiting programming expenses. \u201cThe Customs House Museum & Cultural Center\u2019s largest and longest running fundraiser has a history of being thematically inventive, fun-filled, and memorable,\u201d says Executive Director Jim Zimmer. \u201cThis year\u2019s Flying High event promises to keep that tradition alive and well.\u201d<\/p>\n Tickets to this event are $150.00 for Museum members and $200.00 for non-members. To purchase, contact the museum at 931.648.5780 or purchase online at https:\/\/flyinghigh2018.eventbrite.com<\/a>. Numbers are limited!<\/p>\n![\"2018](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-Customs-House-Museums-Flying-High-Southern-Soiree.jpg\" "\\"2018")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>About the Customs House Museum<\/h3>\n