Columbia Museum of Art July 2026 Exhibitions and Events

EXHIBITIONS

Jasper Johns: All Familiar Things
On view through August 30, 2026
In 1953, Jasper Johns (b. 1930) moved from Columbia, South Carolina, where he had been stationed at Fort Jackson, to New York, where he would seriously pursue a career as an artist. He became fascinated with ordinary symbols: numbers, flags, and targets, which he manipulated in diverse ways across media. “All familiar things can open into strange worlds,” Johns noted in 2021, an observation that seems to afford space for the infinite possibilities latent in everyday subjects.

In addition to common objects, Johns also frequently engages art historical themes, integrating motifs from artworks across time throughout his paintings and prints. In the 1980s, he began incorporating facets of his own life into his art. The artist has remarked, “In my early work I tried to hide my personality, my psychological state, my emotions, but eventually it seemed like a losing battle.”

Here, we offer a selection of Johns’ work that exemplifies his major artistic preoccupations: everyday objects, the history of art, and personal reflection. In works such as The Seasons, one can find the artist combining all three of these thematic concerns within a single arrangement. Drawn from the CMA’s holdings, the works on view span Johns’ long career, offering a glimpse into the artist’s dynamic and distinct oeuvre.

Richard Samuel Roberts: A Columbia Legacy
On view through February 21, 2027
Richard Samuel Roberts (1880–1936) established his photo studio at 1119 Washington Street in Columbia in 1922. He was one of only a few professional African American photographers operating in the South at that time and counted the burgeoning Black middle class as his patrons. Largely self-taught, Roberts possessed a keen eye for detail and composition, elegantly posing his sitters in a manner that exuded dignity and grace.

In 1977, Roberts’ work was rediscovered in Columbia’s Arsenal Hill neighborhood, when over 3,000 glass plate negatives were found stacked together in the crawl space of his family home. Over the course of the next decade, the plates were restored under the auspices of the University of South Carolina, once more bringing to life the contributions of this important photographer. The images on view here were reproduced from the original plates.

The CMA held a major exhibition showcasing over 130 of Roberts’ photographs in 1986. Coinciding with the city’s bicentennial year, the opening reception of Richard Samuel Roberts: A True Likeness remains one of the most celebrated in the museum’s history. The exhibition thereafter traveled to numerous venues across the country, cementing Roberts’ legacy on the national stage.

Winston Wingo: Who Would We Be/Who Could We Be?
On view through March 4, 2027
Since the 1970s, Winston Wingo (b. 1952, Spartanburg, SC) has explored the tension between technology and humanity in a dynamic series of sculptural heads. These bronze-cast cyborgs embody the contrast between industrial and organic forms. They appear rigid, rendered with mechanical precision — angular planes, geometric incisions resembling computer circuitry, and metallic patinas that recall the sleek energy of machines. At the same time, they retain human features, a sense of movement, and seemingly pliable textures reminiscent of fingers in clay.

Wingo draws inspiration for his series from art history. His chosen method of lost-wax casting is inspired by the bronzes that adorned the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin. This reference to African art is both a means of affirming ancestral ties and asserting Black identity through material permanence. Twentieth-century Italian Futurism serves as a further source; where the Futurists beckoned the machine age to renounce the past, Wingo invites us to critique technology as a departure from humanity.

Though Wingo began his series decades before the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), his work today feels more relevant than ever (and perhaps even prescient) for its rich social and political content. Seen through the lens of Afrofuturism, a cultural movement that engages Black concerns in dialogue with technology, Wingo’s heads manifest as monuments to Black futurity. They encourage the viewer to envision worlds in which Black bodies are not erased or mythologized but centered in conversations around societal advancement.

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.

Multisensory Tours
Multisensory Tours provide an opportunity for visitors who are blind or have low vision to experience the diverse 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.

Multisensory 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: Winging It
Wednesday, July 1 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Either way, this month it’s all about things with wings. Join us as we discuss feathered friends, buzzing bugs, and more, both in the galleries and as we make our own creations. Gladys’ Gang is specially designed for 2- to 3-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through movement and play. This program includes story time, gallery exploration, and a creative studio activity related to the theme. Free. Registration required for all participants as space is limited. Siblings welcome! This program is supported in part by grants from Publix Super Markets Charities and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Free First Thursday at the CMA
Thursday, July 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission, extended hours, and a 6:00 p.m. tour of the CMA Collection. Last gallery entry at 7:30 p.m. Free admission courtesy of Art Bridges Access for All Program and Lexington Health.

Public Tour of the Collection Galleries
Thursday, July 2 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a tour of the recently renovated CMA Collection galleries. Come and see some of your old favorites and find a few new ones! Free as part of Free First Thursday at the CMA. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Art Class: Stamped Charms
Tuesdays, July 7, 14, and 21 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Find inspiration through metalsmithing in this fun, three-day workshop. On the first day, plan and design a brass charm, then learn to use a jeweler’s saw and files. On the second day, explore options for metal textures and finishes before drilling a hole for attachment. On the final day, handstamp the charm, explore patinas, and create and attach jump rings. Taught by artist and educator Chrissy McCurry. Ages 15 and up. All supplies and equipment provided. $150 / $120 for members.

Chrissy McCurry is a multidisciplinary artist based in Columbia. Currently an art educator in Lexington District One, she recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education. She is an active Art-O-Mat contributing artist.

Collection Spotlight: Kids on the Wall
Thursday, July 9 | 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
We’re inviting little ones and their adult companions to explore the cool kids on the walls of the galleries! Join former teacher and current Kress Interpretive Fellow Erin Kuykendall in the CMA Collection for a look at historical art featuring children. This is a fun way for young visitors to imagine themselves as the kids in the paintings. All ages welcome. Please register for both children and caregivers. Free with membership, SC residency, or admission. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Art Class: Oil-Painted Still Lifes
Saturday, July 11 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Explore the process of oil painting to better understand color blending, brushwork, and compositional balance. Attendees get inspiration from the still lifes in the CMA Collection galleries and then create their own. Taught by artist and educator Laurel Archie. All skill levels welcome; some familiarity with drawing and painting is helpful. Ages 15 and up. Supplies and equipment provided. $140 / $112 for members.

Laurel Archie is a professional painter and instructor in Columbia. An Illinois native, she studied fine arts at Loyola University Chicago, receiving her B.A. in 2007. She went on to complete her MFA in painting at the University of South Carolina; her graduate work was inspired by time studying modern art in Italy and France. After graduating, her figurative work expanded to include genre painting and still life traditions. Archie’s work continues to explore color theory, the tension between 2D and 3D, and the haptic nature of human interaction. Her awards include the USC College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s MFA Fellowship as well as The John Benz Painting Award. Archie currently teaches at Columbia College while maintaining a painting practice in her home studio with her husband and three children.

Public Tour of the Collection Galleries
Saturday, July 11 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 19 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a tour of the recently renovated CMA Collection galleries. Come and see some of your old favorites and find a few new ones! Free with membership, SC residency, or admission. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Winging It
Wednesday, July 15 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Either way, this month it’s all about things with wings. Join us as we discuss feathered friends, buzzing bugs, and more, both in the galleries and as we make our own creations. Gladys’ Gang is specially designed for 4- to 5-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through play and inquiry. This program builds skills for kindergarten readiness through story time, gallery conversations, and a creative studio project related to the art exploration theme. Free. Registration required for all participants as space is limited. Siblings welcome! This program is supported in part by grants from Publix Super Markets Charities and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Collection Spotlight: Contemporary Disruptions
Thursday, July 16 | 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
Explore a few contemporary works living among historical objects in the CMA Collection. Led by Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook, this tour covers Audrey Flack’s Self-Portrait with Flaming Heart (2022), Roberto Lugo’s Self-Reflection (2023), Mario Joyce’s He Hears Echoes (2024), and the small exhibition Winston Wingo: Who Would We Be/Who Could We Be?. Free with membership, SC residency, or admission. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Focal Points Tour: Christmas in July
Thursday, July 16 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Leave the sultry July heat outside and join docent Carol Hunter to explore Sandro Botticelli’s iconic fresco The Nativity (c. 1473–1475). Learn about Botticelli’s skill as one of the most remarkable Renaissance artists and uncover details that make his depiction of the Christmas story fascinating as you explore his only fresco outside of Europe. Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of docents and staff. Free with membership, SC residency, or admission. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Stroller Tour of the CMA Collection
Take a tour of the CMA Collection with infants in tow! Bring your little ones along for the ride on a stroller-friendly tour for caregivers with babies up to age two. Fussy, crying, or wiggly babies welcome! Baby wearing is encouraged. Free with membership, SC residency, or admission. Registration required as space is limited. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Multisensory Tour: The CMA Collection
Thursday, July 23 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Multisensory tours provide an opportunity for visitors who are blind or have low vision to experience the works of art on view at the museum. Explore the CMA Collection 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. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Artist Talk: Winston Wingo
Thursday, July 23 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a special lecture from South Carolina artist Winston Wingo, whose work is in the CMA Collection. Since the 1970s, Wingo has examined the relationships between technology, identity, and society through representations of Black figures. His recent work, on view in collection exhibition Winston Wingo: Who Would We Be/Who Could We Be?, engages questions around artificial intelligence and humanity’s evolving relationship to technological advancements. Arrive early to view his art in the galleries before heading to the theater to hear directly from Wingo about his long career as an artist and educator. $35 / $25 for members.

Winston A. Wingo was born and educated in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in art education from Claflin University in 1977 and an MFA in sculpture from Clemson University in 1980. In 1984, Wingo studied post-graduate at the Instituto Statute D’Arte in Lucca, Italy, the Luigi Tammasi Foundry in Pietrasanta, Italy, and the Artistica Marinani Foundry in Pietrasanta, Italy. As a painter, sculptor, and art educator, Wingo taught at Claflin University and served as adjunct art professor at South Carolina University, the University of South Carolina Upstate, and Converse College. Wingo has taught in the South Carolina public school system at Hughes Middle School in Greenville, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts in Greenville, and L.E. Gable Middle School in Roebuck, SC, and currently teaches at Carver Middle School in Spartanburg. Wingo has had over 40 solo exhibitions and been in over 200 group competitions and invitational exhibitions and has exhibited his painting and sculptures throughout the United States, Canada, France, and Italy.