Monmouth Museum exhibitions and events The new year at the Monmouth Museum opens with "Dorn's Classic Images," which runs through Feb. 3. The exhibit showcases vintage historical photographs from the Dorn photo archive, curated by Kathy Dorn Severini. The Monmouth County Arts Council's 29th annual Juried Exhibition and Sale will take place Jan. 26-March 2, with an opening reception 3-5 p.m. Jan. 26. An annual tradition, this exhibition embraces the arts and savors the creativity of many talented artists. Each winter this well-established event gives artists from around the state and metropolitan region a chance to enter a highly acclaimed exhibition. Works of art in all fine artsmedia are eligible, andmany are available for purchase. "Chairish the Museum" an exhibition and silent auction benefit, will run Feb. 2- 15, with a reception and silent auction Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m. Chairs decorated and designed by local artists and crafts persons will be on display at the museum and various locations, and will be available for purchase. A silent auction finale will be held at the museum Friday, Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy libations and light fare as you make your final bids.All proceeds will benefit the museum's educational programs. "Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes" will be at the museum March 9- May 4, with an opening reception 3-5 p.m. March 9. This traveling exhibition from SITES (The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service) makes its national touring debut at the Monmouth Museum on March 9. Using NASA images, photographerMichael Benson creates views of every planet in the solar system and reveals the beauty, mystery and drama of space. TheNewJersey EmergingArtists Series returns for the second year. A new series of one-person exhibitions will hang in the Nilson Gallery March 22-April 10: "Marie Sturken:Works in Handmade Paper," with an opening reception 6-8 p.m. March 21, and a gallery talk 7-8 p.m. April 9. In addition, there are several ongoing exhibitions at the museum. "BLAST OFF! A Space Journey" is in the Becker Children's Wing through August 2009. Children'sWing hours are Tuesday through Friday 2-4:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. StarLab Planetarium shows are presented Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Visitors to "BLAST OFF! A Space Journey" begin their tour with a walk through theHall ofAncientAstronomy. See Galileo's laboratory and hear him speak about his many revolutionary discoveries. Explore our fascinating solar systemthrough interactive presentations on the sun, the planets and theMilkyWay. Learn about NASAand how astronauts prepare for space travel, experience a rocket launch, and travel to the moon's surface. "BLAST OFF!" is the perfect space journey for stargazing elementary school students and anyone interested in outer space. The WonderWing houses a permanent exhibition where children can explore the lively and colorful coral reef, discover a kelp forest or catch a fish, and take a slide through a great white whale, be an adventurous sailor and board a pirate ship, or put on a costume and pretend in the Tiki Theater. Children ages 2-6 can boost their marine IQ with hands-on, innovative play in an undersea environment. Call ahead for hours. The Monmouth Museum is located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. TheMain Gallery and Nilson Gallery are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is $7; $8 with the StarLab Planetarium show. Museum members, Brookdale students and staff with a valid I.D., and children under age 2 are admitted free. For more information, call the museum at (732) 747-2266 or visit the Museum's Web site at www.monmouthmuseum.org.