Sweltering heat and lazy days are upon us. While we crave these carefree afternoons, with endless sunshine and countless memories made, we quickly start to run out of activities that do not feel repetitive or boring. There are only so many times you can take your kids to the pool in a week and maintain your sanity. And there are only so many Netflix shows you can binge on a weeknight.
Summertime is the perfect time to dust off that memory by visiting some of the wonderful museums that Memphis has to offer. Most museums will also offer special exhibitions during the summer months so that they will still feel interesting and new even if you have been before. 

Here are a few exhibits coming up:

Grind City Picks: the Music that Made Memphis

Memphis is famous for its music legends and its historical contributions to the blues and soul music. Beginning June 10, the Pink Palace is featuring this lively showcase to highlight the instruments and artists that contributed so notably to the legacy of Memphis music. It will particularly celebrate the contribution of guitars and guitarists as a staple in building Memphis’ reputation as one of the major wellsprings for great music.  

Waddell, Withers, & Smith: A Requiem for King 

Having already opened this to the public on April 4th for the 55-year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the National Civil Rights Museum has hosted this exhibition to showcase local Memphis artists. James Waddell Jr., Ernest Withers, and Dolph Smith portray life in segregated Memphis and in the aftermath of Dr. King’s death through a variety of mediums. This special display will stay open to the public through the end of August. 

In the Moment: Art from the 1950s to Now

The Brooks Museum curates collections that comprise some of the best artwork Memphis has to offer. This particular exhibition opened May 20th and will remain open through the summer months. It features art from the past seventy years and studies how their contemporary significance has changed over time. 

If you take advantage of all the fabulous exhibitions offered by the Memphis museums, you won’t find yourself bored on these upcoming long summer days. Enjoy!