Museum Galleries
The museum’s seven galleries feature changing art, science, and history exhibits with semi-permanent exhibits of wildlife art and a clock collection.
Current Exhibits
Bringing the Village to Life: The YPOP Story
On View: May 2024 – August 10th 2024
What started as a way to introduce art to youth has become a community outreach movement. The exhibition, Bringing the Village to Life, shares the story of Jackson’s Diane Washington and the YPOP (Young People of Purpose) organization.
Made in Jackson
Semi Permanent Exhibit
Until April 2025
The first iteration of our returned Jackson History Gallery, Made in Jackson features industries, companies, and individuals central to our memories and city. This exhibit will grow and change as we incorporate more of Jackson’s extensive history.
African Americans of the Past, Present, and Future
On View
History plays such a vital role in every culture and with Jerome Washington’s love of history, he decided to create a historical gallery made up of African American individuals from the past, the present and the future. These portraits include individuals from Albion, MI, local children, and his series of Hidden Women of Color; a collection of historical women from all over the U.S. This pop-up exhibit will be on display in the halls of the Ella Sharp Museum in celebration of Black History Month.
Jackson Civic Art Association’s Quarterly Art Exhibition
On View
The JCAA has returned to our exhibit spaces with their Quarterly Art Exhibition. This exhibit area will change on a quarterly basis, cycling local artists work from the Jackson area. Stop out and see us today through the end of the first quarter to view this lovely bunch of local artists!
Space: A Journey to the Future
January 27 – September 1, 2024
“Space: A Journey to our Future” showcases the ongoing ventures in space exploration encompassing satellites, celestial observatories, and the intricacies of habitation beyond Earth’s bounds. This immersive experience unfolded through cutting-edge interactive displays, accompanied by state-of-the-art projection and audio technologies that seamlessly narrated the tale.
Art a’ Loan: 17th Annual Exhibition featuring Young Poets
On View at Ella Sharp Museum: October 1 to November 12, 2024
Ella Sharp Museum’s annual Art a Loan program celebrates and shares the talents of Jackson County student artists. Selected art pieces are professionally matted and framed, then put on exhibit at Ella Sharp Museum. During the exhibit, local businesses are able to choose pieces to rent and display in their businesses through the next year.
This celebration of student creativity in Jackson County goes even further through a continued partnership with Jackson District Library’s Young Poets program. Art a Loan artwork is thematically paired with winning poems from the Young Poets contest and the two are displayed together on exhibit.
The Magnificent Obsession: Celebrating 15 years of the Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art
Semi-Permanent Exhibit
Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art, The Magnificent Obsession introduces visitors to wildlife art collectors Andy and Sandy Andrews, while exploring how art, hunting, and conservation connect.
Never Enough Time Gallery
Semi-Permanent Exhibit
Closed Starting Wednesday, June 12 for Gallery Construction & Collections Moving
Allen Spiess Jr., a local collector, provided funds to construct and furnish the Never Enough Time gallery space. Al was pleased to have the Ella in the Jackson community so that visitors can enjoy his collections and the collections of others. He hoped this would inspire others to donate or lend their collections to the Ella Sharp Museum for all to enjoy!
Outdoor Sculptures
On View Year-Round
Walk the museum grounds and explore our outdoor sculptures on the campus of Ella Sharp Museum.