Columbia Museum of Art ~ January 2024 program calendar

Columbia Museum of Art January 2024 Calendar

EXHIBITIONS

Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous
On view through January 21, 2024
Rendez-Vous offers a rare glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most renowned contemporary fashion designers of our era, Lee Alexander McQueen. Providing unique insight into the creative process of this influential and complex figure, this exhibition features key garments from McQueen’s most celebrated fashion collections along with photographer Ann Ray’s intimate portraits and behind-the-scenes photographs of McQueen’s runway shows, taken over the course of their 13-year friendship.
The exhibition includes 50 garments designed by McQueen and over 60 photographs taken by Ray, the only photographer permitted to document the behind-the-scenes culture of his runway shows and atelier.

Lee Alexander McQueen and Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous is organized and produced by Barrett Barrera Projects. Presenting sponsor: Melissa W. Blanchard. Haute Couture sponsors: Dr. Suzan D. Boyd & Mr. M. Edward Sellers. Gold sponsors: Joyce and George Hill. Silver sponsor: Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration. Bronze sponsors: Governor and Mrs. James H. Hodges; Truist; Barbara B. Boyd; Loosh Culinaire Fine Catering; Julianne Sojourner; Hotel Trundle. Benefactor sponsors: Leslie G. and Jeffrey B. Archie; Joseph Bruce; Toni Elkins; Sandy and Sam McGuckin; The Joseph F. Sullivan and Brenda L. Sullivan Foundation; Julie and Mike Brenan. Media sponsors: Grace Outdoor; WXRY 99.3 FM. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina; Town of Lexington SC.

Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit
On view through June 30, 2024
This exhibition showcases the remarkable moments of a designer who fell in love with fashion at 4 years old while living in Ridgeway, South Carolina, and has become one of the biggest names in the industry. Sergio Hudson’s high-profile clients include Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Jessica Chastain, Rihanna, Kamala Harris, Blake Lively, Kendall Jenner, Issa Rae, Rachel Brosnahan, and Keke Palmer, a close friend whom he has called a muse.

Hudson’s philosophy is that fashion should be for everyone and include everyone. He designs to empower the wearer and often includes a nod to the ’90s of his youth. See 10 signature garments from key moments in his revolutionary career alongside nearly 40 sketches and drawings exploring his career from the early days winning Bravo’s Styled to Rock in 2013 up through the present day.

Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit is organized by the Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina, in partnership with Sergio Hudson Collections, LLC and Community Curator Megan Pinckney Rutherford. Bronze Sponsors: First Citizens Bank; Dr. Suzanne R. Thorpe and Dr. John W. Baynes. Patron Sponsors: Gina Trippi and John Kerr; Barbara B. Boyd; Friends of African American Art & Culture; Midlands Medical Wellness Center, LLC; Columbia Design League; The Rutherford Law Firm. Friend Sponsors: Hotel Trundle; Representative Todd Rutherford. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina; and a grant from the Coastal Community Foundation at the request of CMA member Bonnie Adams Kapp.

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
To purchase tickets or register for classes, visit columbiamuseum.org or call 803-799-2810.

Book a Tour and Save
Gather some friends and enjoy discounted admission as you get an inside look at our exhibitions or collection with a docent-led tour. Details at columbiamuseum.org/tours.

Touch Tours
Touch Tours provide an opportunity for visitors who are blind or have low vision to experience the diverse 3D work in the CMA Collection. Explore the galleries with a skilled museum educator trained to provide detailed verbal description of the work on view, while experiencing a selection of objects through touch and other senses.

Touch Tours are available to visitors who are blind or partially sighted in groups of 5 to 10. These 90-minute tours take place when the galleries are closed to the general public and require four weeks’ advance notice to schedule. To book a tour call 803-343-2163 or email [email protected].

Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Mirror, Mirror
Wednesday, January 3 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
In this session we explore reflections — whether it’s in a mirror or a pool of water. Join us as we search for mirror images throughout the galleries and create our own reflective creations. Key topic: reflections.
This program is specially designed for 2- to 3-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through movement and play. Gladys’ Gang includes story time, gallery exploration, and a creative studio activity related to the art exploration theme. Siblings welcome. Free. Registration required for all participants as space is limited.

Free First Thursday at the CMA
Thursday, January 4 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours. Last gallery entry at 7:30 p.m. Be on Boyd Plaza in the evening for live music, food vendors, and a beer garden. Free. Plaza events by First Thursday on Main. Free admission courtesy of Dominion Energy. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Art Class: Understanding the Basics
Saturday, January 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Understanding the basic components of art — the elements of art and the principles of design — is the gateway to successful creation. This class leads participants through a series of informative and engaging projects that build confidence in the elements of art including line, texture, movement, and space. Taught by local art educator Mary Hendrix, who holds a bachelor’s degree in art from East Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in teaching from the University of South Carolina. Ages 15 and up. Supplies and equipment provided. $90 / $72 for members.

Runaway Rewind
Saturday, January 6 | 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Come together to celebrate style, sustainability, and the creativity of reclaimed couture with the Columbia Design League. For one night only, Columbia’s original recycled fashion contest is back. Enjoy a live fashion show in which designers reimagine trash into ultra-creative wearables inspired by Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous. Tickets include the fashion show, light hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, interactive events, and a live DJ. Cash bar. $75.

The Art of Influence: Blade Runner
Wednesday, January 10 | 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
To celebrate exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous in its closing days at the CMA, the museum teams up with the Nickelodeon Theater for a two-part film series exploring creative connections behind some of McQueen’s most iconic looks on the runway. As visitors to the exhibition can see, McQueen took inspiration from many aspects of popular culture for his designs and runway shows, and that is especially true when it comes to popular films.

Gather at the Nickelodeon for a screening of the first film, Blade Runner (1982), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. This iconic film’s influence on McQueen is evident in his designs for Givenchy’s Autumn/Winter 1999 Collection and its accompanying fashion show, where models donned the trademark pinup “bumper bang” hairstyle and shoulder-padded outfits mimicking the looks famously worn by Sean Young’s character Racheal. After the screening, stay for a 30-minute talkback with Carleen Maur, USC assistant professor of media arts, and Glenna Barlow, CMA curator of education. $15 / $12 for Nick and CMA members.

Blade Runner (1982): A blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator. Rated R. Runtime: 1h 50min.

Undeniable Influence: Gay Men in the Arts
Thursday, January 11 | Doors at 6:00 p.m. | Panel 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Tour to follow
Join us for a fascinating conversation among peers during the final weeks of Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous. Inspired by the life and art of Lee Alexander McQueen as well as Sergio Hudson, the subject of Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit, the CMA brings together a panel of creative professionals from the Midlands for a discussion celebrating the voices and impacts of gay men in the arts and exploring what it is about the gay male experience that places them at the forefront of expression in the arts and other creative professions.

After an introduction from host and CMA trustee Joseph Bruce, moderator Terrance Henderson and panelists Larry Hembree, Willie Lee Kinard, and Julian Deleon delve into the undeniable influence of gay men throughout history, their present-day impacts on arts and culture, and what it means for future generations of gay, queer, and non-conforming male artists to have out and proud shoulders to stand on. Following the panel, join Joseph Bruce for a tour of Rendez-Vous. This program is the first of two panels this spring focusing on gay men’s impacts on the arts. Free with membership or admission.

Terrance Henderson is an international award-winning performing artist and creative, master teacher, and equity advisor based here in Columbia. He has been a driving force in the theater and dance communities of South Carolina for many years, raising the bar on achievements in dance, theater, and choreography and forging important conversations through his work. Henderson has been director of the Modern and Contemporary Dance Program at Southeastern School of Ballet for 16 years. He creates original dance/theatre works and performance-based artist residencies through his personal brand TOdanceInc, performs throughout the state as a member of musical groups IndigoSOUL and The Pack, and is a company member and chair of the Equity Task Force at Trustus Theatre. Henderson was the recipient of the 2016 Steve G. Morrison Visionary Award, which honors someone in our community who exhibits the best combination of vision and leadership, applied to arts and history and the entire cultural foundation of the City, and the value they bring to Columbia.

Larry Hembree grew up in Ware Shoals and Greenwood, SC, and has a B.A. in English from Clemson University and an M.F.A. in directing from the University of Georgia. He has performed in over 100 shows, directed over 200 productions, and has held administrative positions with the Arts Center of Kershaw County, Columbia Children’s Theatre, SC Arts Commission, Columbia City Ballet, Nickelodeon Theatre, and Trustus Theatre. This past year he cofounded a new nonprofit, Papa Tank Theatre for Inclusion, celebrating theatre with youth of all abilities. Hembree was named one of the 50 Most Influential People by Columbia Business Monthly and one of the top 25 most powerful people in Columbia twice by Free Times. He received the Community Service Award from SC HIV/Aids Association, the Key to the City of Camden SC, and the Freddie Mullis Corporate Member Award from the SC Gay and Lesbian Business Guild. Over the past few years, he has worked on the birth of many new plays, including both Shock and Blue Camp by D.C. playwrights Jack Hannah and Tim Caggiano, POUF! and Stilt Girl by SC native Lou Clyde, Sharks and Other Lovers by SC and NYC playwright Randall David Cook, and One Life: Dogs the Musical by Camden resident Paddy Bell with music by Dick Goodwin.

Willie Lee Kinard III (he/they) is a poet, designer, educator, and musician forged in Newberry, SC. The author of Orders of Service and winner of the 2022 Alice James Award, he holds an M.F.A. in creative writing – poetry from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.F.A. in graphic design from the University of South Carolina. Kinard is a 2023 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow and a fellow of the Watering Hole. Their musings include gospel surrealism, Black romance, and superstition. With written work appearances in Obsidian, Poem-a-Day, Best New Poets 2022, Boston Review, and The Rumpus, he is the winner of Poetry magazine’s 2021 J. Howard & Barbara M.J. Wood Prize and a Pushcart Prize nominee. Kinard is an avid believer in evening thunderstorms and loose-leaf tea. They teach English at the University of South Carolina.

Julian Deleon studied acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. From there he became the educational marketing intern at American Place Theatre and worked on several productions with Galli Theatre NY. Upon returning to Columbia, he began work with local theatres. Deleon has performed in several productions around Columbia including Dance Nation at Trustus Theatre, Torch Song at Workshop Theatre, and A Christmas Carol at Columbia Children’s Theatre. He is now the director of social media with Columbia Children’s Theatre and works as a local teaching artist around the state.

Extended Hours for Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous
Friday, January 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 19 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 20 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy extended weekend hours in the galleries during the closing weeks of monumental fashion and photography exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous. Free with membership or admission. Make a night of it with dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants in the Main Street District.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the CMA
Monday, January 15 | 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the CMA is open with free admission and hosting special MLK Day programming. Don’t miss FAAAC presents A Storytelling Celebration, featuring line dancing on Boyd Plaza hosted by Franklin Jones beginning at 1:00 and a storytelling celebration beginning at 1:30. Free admission supported by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

FAAAC Presents A Storytelling Celebration
Monday, January 15 | Line dancing 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Storytelling 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Join the Friends of African American Art & Culture for the fourth annual storytelling performance celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., come have some fun with line dancing on Boyd Plaza hosted by Franklin Jones. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., enjoy an all-new selection of stories from storytellers Darion McCloud, Jeanette Samuels, Donald Sweeper, Elsie White, and Nancy Tolson. Free. Part of free access on MLK Day at the CMA.

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Mirror, Mirror
Wednesday, January 17 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
In this session we explore reflections — whether it’s in a mirror or a pool of water. Join us as we search for mirror images throughout the galleries and create our own reflective creations. Key topic: reflections.
This program is specially designed for 4- to 5-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through play and inquiry. Gladys’ Gang builds skills for kindergarten readiness through story time, gallery conversations, and a creative studio project related to the art exploration theme. Siblings welcome. Free. Registration is required for all participants as space is limited.

The Art of Influence: The Shining
Wednesday, January 17 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
To celebrate exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous in its closing days at the CMA, the museum teams up with the Nickelodeon Theater for a two-part film series exploring creative connections behind some of McQueen’s most iconic looks on the runway. As visitors to the exhibition can see, McQueen took inspiration from many aspects of popular culture for his designs and runway shows, and that is especially true when it comes to popular films.

Gather at the Nickelodeon for a screening of the second and final film in the series, Stanley Kubrick’s classic The Shining (1980), starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. This iconic film’s influence on McQueen is evident in the designs for his eponymous label’s Autumn/Winter 1999 Collection, The Overlook — named for the hotel in the film — and in the snow-covered catwalks of its runway show. After the screening, stay for a 30-minute talkback with Dr. Julia Elliott, USC professor of women’s and gender studies — whose current research and teaching interests include horror films — and Jackie Adams, CMA director of art and learning and in-house curator of Rendez-Vous. $15 / $12 for Nick and CMA members. Concessions open.

The Shining (1980): A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future. Based on the Stephen King novel. Rated R. Runtime: 2h 40min.

Art Class: Fashion Illustration
Saturdays, January 20 and 27 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In this two-part class, students learn the basics of fashion illustration while taking inspiration from featured exhibitions Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous and Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit. Taught by Diko Pekdemir-Lewis, founder and designer of Anton & Maxine, a handmade slow fashion brand based in Columbia. Pekdemir-Lewis holds an apprenticeship degree in bespoke tailoring and a bachelor’s in fashion arts at Modeschule Schloss Eller in Duesseldorf, Germany. Ages 15 and up. All supplies and equipment provided. Some familiarity in drawing is recommended but not required. $120 / $96 for members.

The Rendez-Vous Experience
Saturday, January 20 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
During closing weekend of Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous, come celebrate this remarkable exhibition in an evening of fashion and collaboration created in partnership with The Creative Culture Brand. Drawing inspiration from the relationship between McQueen and Ray, this event is designed to foster dynamic connections within our local fashion community and elevate our collective creative journey. The evening features a vendor and creative resources marketplace, industry speakers, exhibition tours, fashions activities, and a game show! We look forward to sharing this unforgettable night with you and witnessing moments that will shape the future of Columbia’s fashion ecosystem. $30 / $24 for members.

Accessible Yoga in the Galleries
Monday, January 22 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Head to the CMA for a gentle, slow, and mindful movement practice for those who want to enjoy yoga that’s accessible to everybody and every body. The class can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both are provided. Students are welcome to bring their own mats and props. The session takes place in the CMA Collection galleries. Taught by Kate Murphy, a local yoga teacher with training in accessible yoga and mindful resilience for trauma recovery. Ages 13 and up. No unaccompanied minors. $15 / $12 for members.

Public Touch Tour
Tuesday, January 23 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Touch Tours provide an opportunity for visitors who are blind or have low vision to experience the diverse 3D work in the CMA Collection. Explore the galleries with a skilled museum educator trained to provide detailed verbal description of the work on display while experiencing a selection of objects through touch and other senses. Participants may bring one guest for assistance. Guide dogs are welcome. Trained staff and docents will be on hand to provide additional assistance. Free. Registration is required as space is limited.

Art in Focus with Dr. Frank Martin
Thursday, January 25 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In a series of spotlight talks, Dr. Frank Martin explores themes found in an individual artwork on view, offering an opportunity to discover new insights with a true fine arts specialist. This first Art in Focus features Portrait of a Young Woman with a Scorpion Chain painted by Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio, a devoted follower of Leonardo Da Vinci who oftentimes collaborated with the artist. X-rays of this work have revealed an underdrawing of the subject that may be by Leonardo himself. Learn more about this mysterious CMA Collection artwork and the artist who painted it. Free with membership or admission.

Dr. Frank C. Martin II serves as visiting associate professor of art history and art theory at South Carolina State University and is the retired director of The I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium, located on the campus of the university. A graduate of Yale University and the City University of New York, Hunter College, with additional study in contemporary art and art theory at the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University, Martin holds a Ph.D. in philosophy with a specialization in axiology and the history of aesthetics from the University of South Carolina. A former lecturer and associate manager of the Office of Education Services for the Uris Education Center of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Martin has served as an academic advisor for the PBS documentary Shared History and has worked as a contributing critic in the fine arts for Charleston’s The Post and Courier. Martin is a member of the International Association of Art Critics (Association Internationale des Critiques d’Art) based in Paris.

 

 

About the CMA

The Columbia Museum of Art is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to lifelong learning and community enrichment for all. Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, S.C., the CMA ranks among the leading art institutions in the country and is distinguished by its innovative exhibitions and creative educational programs. At the heart of the CMA and its programs is its collection, which encompasses 7,000 works and spans 5,000 years of art history. Established in 1950, the CMA now welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually and is a catalyst for community creativity and education, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds. It is the recipient of a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a National Art Education Association award for its contributions to arts education, a National Park Foundation Award, and two Governor’s Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina. In order to serve even more audiences, the CMA underwent a transformation. Funded by a successful capital campaign, the two-year renovation project garnered new collection galleries with a progressive thematic layout, new studios for artmaking, cutting-edge program and event spaces, and an entrance on Main Street. Overall, more than 15,000 square feet of functional space were added to the building’s existing footprint. To learn more, visit columbiamuseum.org.