Columbia Museum of Art August 2014 Calendar

Major Exhibitions:

Animal Instinct: Paintings by Shelley Reed

On View in the Lipscomb Family Galleries through Sunday, September 14

The CMA is the first museum to present a career retrospective of American artist Shelley Reed. This exhibition is an impressive selection of 37 large-scale black-and-white paintings of animals, including a wall-length mural. These oils on canvas are based on Old Master paintings where animals often stand in for people and are used to create visual parables about the strengths and failings of human nature. Animals in lush, gorgeous paintings communicate with each other, flirt with each other, and consume each other. Reed is an unexpected painter because she does not use color in her current work, although she started out as a colorist. Her palette shrank as she became less interested in exploiting color and more interested in exploring the meaning of Old Master paintings.

Reed not only makes Old Master paintings feel contemporary by making them large and dismissing color, she also focuses on the contrasting mixture of wildness, as represented by tigers, lions, birds, and other animals, with high culture. She is fascinated with how human beings tend to understand the world in terms of themselves, yet wild animals have their own natures. She explores this complexity in both complicated narratives and simple animal portraits. The result is that we readily identify animals that boast, strut, threaten, or attract other animals, and at the same time realize that despite being the subjects of fine art, wild animals resist civilization. It is not their nature. The art says they fit in, and so Reed has a built-in tension to her narratives. The grandest narrative in the show is a 47-foot-long mural entitled In Dubious Battle, where a panorama of fighting, playing, and posing unfolds. The mural, with its cast of characters and dynamic action, feels like a silent movie where we get to invent the story along with the animals and the artist.

Reed is represented by Danese/Corey and the Sears-Peyton Gallery, both in New York. She has had solo shows in New York, Toronto, and Boston and has participated in many group shows around the country. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has awarded her the 2005 Maud Morgan Award and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston gave her a Traveling Fellowship in 2013. Reed’s work can be found in public and private collections including: Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Lila Acheson Wallace Collection, Bank of Boston, Rose Art Museum, Danforth Museum, and the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park. The artist is based in Boston.

This exhibition is sponsored by Joyce and George Hill with support provided by Dr. Suzan D. Boyd and Mr. M. Edward Sellers, Susan Thorpe and John Baynes, and Ginny Newell and Bob Wilkins.

 

Cheer for the Home Team! Animal Mascots in the Collection

On View in the Lipscomb Family Galleries through Sunday, September 14

This exhibition is comprised of 37 works from the CMA collection featuring animals that serve as college mascots. The exhibition explores the qualities of certain animals that make them popular as symbols of luck to lead their schools to victory on the field, like the fighting gamecock and the tiger. A diversity of objects is drawn from all aspects of the collection, including European paintings, American folk art, and Asian ceramics.Cheer for the Home Team! features a number of the Museum’s Audubon prints, as well as works by Eugène Delacroix, Romare Bearden, Edmund Yaghjian, Constantine Manos, and Sigmund Abeles. Many of these pieces are being shown for the first time in a number of years.

Sports fans have a good time identifying the mascots for various teams across the U.S., while children, animal lovers, and fine art enthusiasts revel in the various styles and assortment of wildlife portrayed in the pieces. Visitors learn about the history of mascots for college sports teams, as well as some of the unlikely and unusual mascots that have come to lead the rallying cry for their schools.

This exhibition is sponsored by Pierrine and Hootie Johnson, Nell V. Mellichamp and Pied Piper Interest Funds of Central Carolina Community Foundation.

 

ALSO ON VIEW

Daryl Trivieri’s Fantastic Animals: Selections from the Vogel Collection

On View in the Mamie and William Andrew Treadway, Jr. Gallery 15 through August 31

This show features the work of an artist of wild imagination with tremendous drawing skills. Trivieri’s obsession with fantastic animal imagery is the subject of this whimsical exhibition of two dozen works on paper. His influences range from the dreamlike masterworks of Brueghel to the surrealism of Dali. Throughout his career, Trivieri has been fascinated with the endless possibilities of pencil on paper. This jewel of an exhibition is organized from the CMA’s extensive Vogel Collection of over 800 contemporary works given to the Museum in 2012 by the New York collectors Herb and Dorothy Vogel.

 

All the World’s a Stage: Anita Lobel

On View in the CMA’s Wells Fargo Education Gallery and in the Community Gallery at Richland Library’s Main Branch through August 17

Anita Lobel’s name is synonymous with the best in children’s literature. Her life and career are truly amazing: from Holocaust survivor to designer to revered author and illustrator of children’s books. This exhibition is comprised of over 70 works on paper and 30 books, representing more than 40 years of the artist’s work. Selections range from Lobel’s art as a textile designer in the early 1960s to some of her most famous books, such as Nini Here and There, Sven’s Bridge, and Away From Home.The show is free and open to the public at both locations. On loan from the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Texas. Sponsor support provided by Carolyn Kressler-Greenberg and Stanley Greenberg, Rose and Fred Sheheen, and the Columbia Jewish Federation.

 

All of our summer exhibitions are also supported by the CMA Surprisingly Cool Summer Exhibition sponsors, including:

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank

South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care

Mr. Albert S. Babinec

Mike and Julie Brenan

Dr. James B. Holderman

KeenanSuggs

Myrtle T. Robinson

 

The Columbia Museum of Art About Face Exhibition at The Gallery at City Hall

On view at The Gallery at City Hall through August 24

Weekdays | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
First Thursdays on Main | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

“About Face” is a classroom, a studio, a support network, and a circle of friends centered at the Columbia Museum of Art for over a decade to hone artistic skills during live-model and outdoor drawing and painting gatherings. The exhibition features 31 portrait and landscape pieces by 23 artists created during the group’s sessions at the Museum. The group’s participants are as diverse as the personal styles in this showcase, exemplifying their individual creativity, discipline, and dedication. Artists include Gerard Erley, M. Susan Edwards, Cindy Connor, Alice N. Marcel, Letitia “Tish” Lowe, Claire K. Farrell, Mina Tedder, Pamela Bulak, Glenda Keyes, Pete Holland, Trahern Cook, Barbara Alston Yongue, Karen Jamrose, Franklin Miller, Bonnie Shiah, Mark Conrardy, Jim Finch, David K. Phillips, Roy Paschal, Robert H. Kennedy, Margie Nation, Alicia Leeke, and Anne Marie Cockrell.

 

 

Programs and Events:

To purchase tickets or register for classes, visit columbiamuseum.org.

 

Book a Tour and Save on Admission

Gather your friends and make a reservation to enjoy a docent-led or self-guided tour of the exhibition and save on admission. Hungry? Choose the tour with a lunch option or enjoy wine and cheese after your tour. Details at columbiamuseum.org.

 

Art Explorer Backpacks and Gallery Guides

Art Explorer Backpacks are designed to encourage families to have fun in the galleries with interactive activities. Each backpack includes a sketchbook with colored pencils, a pair of binoculars, a compass, and hands-on activities that relate to the theme of the backpack chosen. Themes include: pattern, color, shape, and the current exhibitions. Ask for one at the admission desk.

Gallery guides are your source to family fun. Guides include insider information about some of the works and a gallery hunt to discover shapes, patterns, and more. Available for free by the Wells Fargo Education Gallery.

 

Gallery Tour: Animal Instinct: Paintings by Shelley Reed and Cheer for the Home Team! Animal Mascots in the Collection

Every Saturday | 1:00 p.m.

A guided tour of the exhibitions, Animal Instinct: Paintings by Shelley Reed and Cheer for the Home Team! Animal Mascots in the Collection, offers insight into the works of Shelley Reed and the history of mascots for college sports teams found in selections from the collection. Free with membership or admission.

 

Gallery Tour: Highlights of the CMA Collection

Every Sunday | 2:00 p.m.

A guided tour provides an overview of European and American art in the CMA collection. This family-friendly tour features masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, and the American galleries. Free.

 

Arts & Draughts

Friday, August 1 | 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Art, drink, and be happy! Enjoy beer tastings from The Whig, musical performances from Shallow Palace, Stagbriar, Bo White Y Su Orquesta, and Banditos, D.I.Y. Art projects, interactive art, scavenger hunts, and unique perspective tours through the CMA collection. Sponsored by The Whig, WXRY, and Free Times. $8 / $5 for members / join or renew your membership that night and get in for free.

 

About Face Drawing Sessions

Mondays, August 4 and 18: Topics vary | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesdays, August 12 and 26: Portrait Drawing | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Figure Drawing | 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.

Looking for a supportive and friendly environment to hone your artistic skills? About Face Drawing Sessions are for you! There’s no instructor, but there is a group of inspired artists, representing a wide range of abilities, who love to draw from the live model. Must be 18 or older to participate. Mondays: $12 / $10 for members / $5 for students. Tuesdays: $10 / $8 for members / $5 for students. Includes both sessions.

 

Summer Camp at the Art School

Ages:  4-7 | 8-12 | 13-18

This summer, the CMA Art School is offering a variety of unique camps to capture the interest of any young artist. Having your child participate in our summer camps is a great way for them to think creatively, practice their problem-solving skills, and have fun. Below are camps occurring in August. The CMA Summer Camps are supported in part by Publix Super Markets Charities.

 

Camp Pricing

Ages 4-7: $135 / $108 for Dual/Family Members and above

Ages 8-12: $160 / $128 for Dual/Family Members and above

Ages 13-18: $190 / $152 for Dual/Family Members and above

The CMA also offers needs-based scholarships.

 

Lunch Buddies Camp: When noted by the three asterisks (***) after the title, campers can stay from morning camp through afternoon camp. Lunch Buddies bring their own brown bag lunch, must be registered for both the morning and afternoon camps, and pay a $25 fee.

 

August 4 – 8

The ABC’s of Art

Ages 4-7 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Scissors? Check!  Markers? Check! Paintbrush? Check! Learn the basics of what it takes to create great art. Focus on shapes, colors, and other elements of art to prepare for the school year ahead.

 

Fins, Feathers & Fur***

Ages 8-12 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Draw, paint, and print all of the amazing creatures on exhibit at the CMA!

 

Project FUNway Re-mix***

Ages 8-12 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Design and create fashion accessories with a variety of simple and fun techniques. The final day of camp features a fashion show!

 

August 11 – 15

Mythological Monsters

Ages 4-7 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Join us for an exploration of ancient myths and legends. Explore artwork inspired by the stories of Greece, Rome, and Egypt and complete mythology-based projects of your own.

 

Go BIG

Ages 8-12 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Big canvases that is–inspired by the exhibition, Animal Instinct: Paintings by Shelley Reed. Learn how to build, stretch, and prepare your own canvas. Then, go big with some paintings to match!

Gladys’ Gang: Alphabet Animals

Wednesday, August 6 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Get inspired by picture book author Anita Lobel’s exhibition, All the World’s a Stage. Then head to the studios to create your own picture book. Participants (ages 2-5) and their adult companions explore art through the introduction of elementary art terms such as color, line, shape, and texture during the Gladys’ Gang series. This program includes story time and a creative studio activity. Free.

 

Passport to Art: Go Team!

Sunday, August 10 | Noon – 3:00 p.m.

Let’s Cheer for the Home Team!  Boost your team spirit and create your own masterpiece using team colors. Then enjoy a themed family tour at 1:00 p.m. or take a self-guided tour during this FREE monthly open studio for families. Sponsored by Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation. Free.

 

Champagne Reception with Shelley Reed

Sunday, August 10 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to tour the exhibition, Animal Instinct, with artist Shelly Reed. Boston-based artist Reed will host a private tour and gallery talk through the exhibition followed by a champagne toast and reception. Beer and wine cash bar available. $35. Members only. Please RSVP by Friday, August 8, as spaces are limited.

 

Artist Salon: Cheer for the Home Team! Animal Mascots in the Collection with Victoria Cooke

Friday, August 15 | Noon

This series features gallery talks about a wide range of subjects, topics, and disciplines. Explore works from the CMA’s collection with Curator Victoria Cooke as she discusses the exhibition Cheer for the Home Team! Free with membership or admission.

 

Film: Women Artists: The Other Side of the Picture

Saturday, August 16 | Noon

Where are the works of the great women artists? Why are there so few represented in museums? In this provocative program, respected artists such as Doris McCarthy, Judy Chicago, Joyce Weiland, and Jane Ash Poitras, in combination with curators, art historians, and The Guerrilla Girls discuss the dearth of women’s artwork in major galleries and examine the poignant social history of women in the fine arts–a story of suppression, marginalization, and omission. The efforts of the National Museum of Women in the Arts are spotlighted to balance that one-sided picture of artist achievements. (54 minutes, color.) Free with membership or admission.

 

Artistic Furniture Makeover

Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24 | Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Add some spunk to your junk and create a functional work of art by customizing a small piece of furniture to reflect your own style. This class will teach you how to turn your old, tired furniture into something adorable and artistic that you can be proud of for years! In this two-day, hands-on class, you will learn how to prep both finished and unfinished furniture, the types of paint available for use and how to apply them, the tools needed to complete your project from start to finish, and how to accessorize your piece with decoupage, stamping, and other materials. No experience needed; this class fits all skill levels. You will need to bring a small table, bookcase, or other piece of furniture smaller than 30″ x 30″ that you are able to lift and carry into the classroom. The class will provide access to the paints, tools, and techniques needed to complete your project. Instructor Alicia Leeke has been working as a full-time, professional painter since 2009 and uses mixed media, acrylics, and the palettes of Monet and Kahn to produce modern abstract landscapes. She is an award-winning artist living in South Carolina and shows her work in New York, Chicago, and galleries across the Southeast. $90 / $72 for members.

 

Kress Lecture Series: Rebekah Compton

Friday, August 29 | Noon

The CMA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first Kress gift of Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th-century art, which established the foundation of the Museum’s collection. The Kress Anniversary Lecture Series invites four scholars to the Museum this year to deliver lectures on topics that highlight our Kress Collection through their particular expertise in their field.

This lecture features Rebekah Compton, assistant professor of Renaissance and Baroque art at the College of Charleston. Compton’s lecture, “The Glory of Color: Pigments in Early Florentine Altarpieces,” explores the glorious colors of Giovanni di Marco dal Ponte’s Madonna and Child with Saints, paying particular attention to how the artist paints the flesh and clothing of his sacred characters. The Kress lectures are supported through a grant provided by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Free with membership or admission.