Arts & Draughts returns in epic fashion to celebrate McQueen exhibition

Live music, art experiences, fashion shows, and more on November 10

The Columbia Museum of Art’s signature biannual block party Arts & Draughts is back on November 10, and this time it’s celebrating epic fashion and photography exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous. This signature Columbia event is a great opportunity to frolic with friends and community creatives while exploring the museum in a party atmosphere. The upcoming Arts & Draughts features a stacked lineup of live music, fashion shows, food, libations, dancing, community partners, art activities, and art experiences from the booming Columbia cultural scene and beyond.

“You do not want to miss this Arts & Draughts,” says CMA Manager of Engagement Wilson Bame. “This exhibition evokes the ideas of drama, whimsy, friendship, and collaboration and reminds me of the time when these objects were crafted. All of our artists and partners bring something to the table to help paint that picture too, paying homage to that inspiration, so I’m so excited for everyone else to experience the culmination of all those parts! Come be a part of it and make magic with your friends!”

Partygoers are encouraged to:
• Enjoy live music from Gamine and Candy Coffins and DJ sets by DJ VooDoo Child
• Marvel at a kiki haus performance courtesy of the Carolina Chapter of the Artistic Haus of Telfar, presenting a powerful message of love, acceptance, and inclusion celebrating the rich and diverse history of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Take in fashion shows from Anton + Maxine & Tabitha Ott and Nori Noir, plus live styling displays from The Beautiful Neighborhood’s Ginevra Hardin
• Go on Unique Perspective Tours of Rendez-Vous with Kelvin Davis of Notoriously Dapper
• Dance to their own beat surrounded by footage of Alexander McQueen runways shows at a silent disco with several music channels available, including one hosted by L0V3
• Check out live screenprinting from Screened Out Printers of the official Arts & Draughts t-shirt (available for purchase) designed by artist Alex Osborn, recently featured in the summer exhibition Resurgence and Renaissance: Art of the Catawba Nation Since 1973
• Get creative at a DIY dyeing station with Chris Scott of Dyes Effx Art Ware — attendees can buy the Arts & Draughts t-shirt or bring their own duds to dye
• Enjoy other art activities like a hand fan design station, printmaking with USC Printmaking, and a fashion photo booth
• Go on a scavenger hunt through the collection galleries with prizes from Mast General Store
• Nosh on food from Cheese and Thank You, Los Chicanos, and Kusina Filipina
• Sip on beer and wine from Weco Bottle and Biergarten featuring brews from Highland Brewing Co. including a special collaboration beer brewed just for this Arts & Draughts

Osborn shares his design inspiration: “Drawing inspiration from the visionary Alexander McQueen, who integrated natural elements, textures, imagery, and symmetry into his work, Not Plastic pays homage to the iconic runway presentation of his fall 2009 ready-to-wear collection. McQueen’s show was a critique of the throwaway culture inherent in fast fashion, emphasizing the need for creators to make art and clothing of value and preserve fashion as an enduring art form.

“In stark contrast to the transient nature of fashion, this emblem underscores the enduring importance of Catawba culture and the resilience of Indigenous people within contemporary society,” Osborn continues. “Whether strutting down the runway, strolling through the streets, or working alongside us in our daily lives, it is intended as a poignant reminder that Indigenous people are still here, making their presence felt amidst the perpetual flux of the modern world.”

$15 / $8 for members. Cash-only bar. Event runs 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Join or renew membership that night or volunteer for a short shift and get in free.

Sponsored by Weco Bottle and Biergarten; Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration; Mast General Store; and WXRY 99.3 FM.