The Madison County Arts Council, Marshall Library and Madison County Schools, in cooperation with North Carolina Humanities, explores the theme of innovation and invention happening in rural America with “Spark! Places of Innovation,” a Smithsonian traveling exhibition. “Spark!” will be on view through Jan. 13, 2026.

Marshall and the surrounding community were chosen by North Carolina Humanities to host “Spark!” as part of the Museum on Main Street project — a national, state and local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.

In small towns across America, people are creating new products, taking risks, meeting challenges together, and seizing upon exciting opportunities that change local life and sometimes reach far beyond. “Spark!” features stories

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