Ava Gardner Museum Will Unveil Newest Exhibit At Annual Ava Gardner Festival, October 2010

Ava on Television Exhibit Will Display Rarely Seen Costumes End Quote

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (1888PressRelease) August 06, 2010 - Each year the Ava Gardner Museum celebrates Ava's life and career by hosting the Ava Gardner Festival. This annual event includes heritage tours, screenings of classic Ava Gardner films, and special exhibits.

This year's festival will kickoff during the Ava Gardner Festival Gala on Friday evening, October 8th, at which the Museum will unveil its newest exhibit in the Museum's largest showcase, Ava on the Small Screen.

Although she had regularly remarked that she didn't consider herself an actress, Ava Gardner continued her film career until a stroke in 1986 made it impossible.

Earlier in her career, Ava had been assigned the roles of lover, paramour, and femme fatale, but as she began to take on less glamorous and more challenging roles, critics and fans alike began to realize her true talent for acting. Ava's last film projects were two made for television movies (The Long Hot Summer and Harem), one mini-series (A.D.), and multiple appearances in the television series Knot's Landing, all of which were received with positive reviews of her performance. A pilot was also taped titled Maggie, but never aired.

Costumes and memorabilia from all of these projects will be on display, along with interpretive panels detailing Ava's career on television. This exhibit will run through the end of May 2011. Tickets to the Gala are $50 per person and all-day admission to the Museum on Saturday, October 9th is $5.00 for everyone.

"We are excited to put on display costumes that have rarely been exhibited, as well as pleased to take off exhibit some costumes that, while visitor favorites, need to be stored for the sake of the longevity of the textiles," stated Executive Director Jessica Meadows Hammett.

For accommodations, two local hotels are offering special Ava Gardner Festival discounts. The Best Western Smithfield Inn (919-989-4047) is offering a special rate of $64.00 + tax and the Sleep Inn & Suites of Smithfield (919-209-2360) is offering a 15% discount on rates. Call the hotel directly and mention the Ava Gardner Festival to take advantage of these special discounts.

For more information about the festival, including Festival Package rates, please call the museum at 919-934-5830.

The Ava Gardner Museum is located in downtown Smithfield, at 325 E. Market Street and more information may be found on the museum website, www.avagardner.org or by calling 919-934-5830. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm with admission of $6.00 adults, $5.00 seniors and groups, and $4.00 children.

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