Arts & Draughts returns with puppetry, French Moderns, and more

Columbia’s favorite museum party Arts & Draughts returns on Friday, November 8, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. This signature CMA event is a great opportunity to connect with friends and community creatives while exploring the museum. The upcoming Arts & Draughts features major fall exhibition French Moderns as well as a stacked lineup of performances, dancing, community partners, art activities, and art experiences from the booming Columbia cultural scene and beyond.

“This fall we’re lucky enough to have French Moderns in the galleries,” says Wilson Bame, CMA associate director of engagement. “Much like the exhibition, we’re excited to offer a broad array of artistic fun for the night — from a roving puppeteer, tuba-playing wizards, and cirque-style dancers to subtle French market vibes and plein air painters out on the plaza, to DJs blaring Daft Punk inside! So come on out, grab a baguette, and enjoy the night!”

Partygoers are encouraged to:

• Watch art come to life as self-taught master builder and puppeteer Tarish Pipkins a.k.a. Jeghetto brings his abstract moving sculptures out for an onstage performance of Jeghetto’s Workshop (and watch out for his creations as they roam around the museum).
• Groove to live music from Darby Wilcox, Greenville-based singer-songwriter, Orange Doors, playing psychedelic grunge from Charleston, and Columbia-based alt-rock outfit Slow Funeral.
• Dance the night away as Folk Tech takes over the museum with DJ sets on the first floor and a silent disco on the second floor.
• Wander the open galleries, from the CMA Collection and the Our Story Matters Gallery to exhibitions including French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1850 – 1950 and Constantine Manos: A Greek Portfolio.
• Embark on an augmented reality scavenger hunt through the museum courtesy of interaction design students at the USC School of Visual Art & Design.
• Take in new and unique perspectives of French Moderns with tableau vivants directed by Velvet Underwood.
• Check out live screenprinting from Bluetile Print Studio as they make the official Arts & Draughts t-shirt designed by Eva Foussat.
• Try your hand at some D.I.Y. art activities.
• Enjoy food for purchase from La Dolce Vita Pizza, Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, and Farmers Market Xchange.
• Grab a sip from the cash-only bar with beer and wine from Weco Bottle and Biergarten featuring selections from Columbia Craft Brewing Company.

$15 / $8 for members. Join or renew membership that night or volunteer for a short shift and get in free.

Silver Sponsors: Cyberwoven; Nancy and Richard Layman. Patron Sponsors: Barbara Boyd; Harold and Clarke Friedman; Weco Bottle and Biergarten; WXRY 99.3 FM.