Museum Galleries
The museum’s seven galleries feature changing art, science, and history exhibits, permanent exhibits of Jackson History, wildlife art, and a clock collection.
Current Exhibits
How People Make Things Inspired by the Mister Rogers’ Factory Tours
Get Ready to Explore October 1, 2022
Discover how familiar childhood objects are made along with how people, ideas, and technology transform raw materials into finished products. How People Make Things places visitors on the “factory floor” to create objects with real tools while learning about the manufacturing process. Locally presented by Alros Steel and supported by the Charles Aymond Fund, the exhibit is hands-on amazing!
Art a’ Loan: 16th Annual Exhibition featuring Young Poets
On View at Ella Sharp Museum: October to November 2022
On View in the Community: December 2022 – November 2023
The Ella Sharp Museum’s annual Art à Loan program celebrates and shares the talents of K-12 student artists throughout Jackson County. At the end of each school year, dedicated area art teachers select student artwork to be professionally framed, exhibited at the Ella Sharp Museum, then rented and displayed in local businesses. In 2021, to further showcase student talent within Jackson County, we’ve partnered with the Jackson District Library’s “Young Poets” Program. Winners from Art à Loan were thematically paired with winners from Young Poets and will be featured in a special exhibition at the Ella Sharp Museum, October 6–31, 2021, then will be on view throughout the community until fall 2022.
Small Wonders: Insects in Focus
September 1 – October 22, 2022
In the air, water, and even under foot, insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on earth. By using cutting-edge technology and custom methods, artist Bob Sober created Small Wonders: Insects in Focus, an exhibition of breathtaking beauty that allows viewers to see this hidden world like they’ve never seen it before. Small Wonders aims to inspire, in an artistic way, our natural curiosity to understand the form, function, and diversity of nature
Exploration Stations
May 7 – December 31, 2022
Inspired by our local community, Exploration Stations is filled with fun science-based activities connected to space, construction, the home, nature and transportation for growing explorers. Pieces of local history are also featured throughout each station for an experience all ages can enjoy.
The Magnificent Obsession: Celebrating 15 years of the Andrews Gallery of Wildlife Art
On view through 2022
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.
Jackson & The Roaring 20s
On view through 2022
The 1920s was a decade driven by prosperity, shifting social norm, and new technology. This exhibit explores some of the major individuals and events which made Jackson, Michigan roar during the 1920s. The exhibit was developed by Ella Sharp Museum as a supplement to the traveling exhibit Spirited: Prohibition in America.
Outdoor Sculptures
On view year-round
Walk the museum grounds and explore our outdoor sculptures on the campus of Ella Sharp Museum.
Lynne A. Loftis Jackson History Gallery
Semi-Permanent Exhibit (Temporarily closed after March 6, 2022 – Fall of 2022)
Jackson’s rich past is celebrated and explored in the Lynne A Loftis Jackson History gallery. See the start of “Jacksonopolis”, the community started in 1829. Learn about Jackson’s role in manufacturing, the railroad industry, state corrections, and the formation of the Republican party. View products that were made in our city, from Sparton radios, corsets, to automobiles. There’s much to learn about Jackson and the best place to start is here.
Never Enough Time Gallery
Semi-Permanent Exhibit
Allen Spiess Jr., a local collector, provided funds to construct and furnish the Never Enough Time gallery space. Al is pleased to have the Ella in the Jackson community so that visitors can enjoy his collections and the collections of others. He hopes this will inspire others to donate or lend their collections to the Ella Sharp Museum for all to enjoy!