Columbia Museum of Art January 2026 exhibitions and events calendar

EXHIBITIONS

Keith Haring: Radiant Vision
On view through February 15, 2026

Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature images include dancing figures, a radiant baby, a barking dog, a flying saucer, large hearts, and figures with televisions for heads.

In the early ’80s, Haring created chalk drawings on the unused advertising panels in New York City subway stations. These drawings represented a unique conflation of studio practice and public art, cartoons and graffiti. They became familiar to commuters, who would often stop to engage with the artist. He also attracted the attention of city authorities, who arrested him for vandalism on numerous occasions.

Haring was socially conscious, and his murals often reflected his position on social issues. He sought to raise awareness of AIDS, fought against the proliferation of illegal drugs, and advocated for the end of Apartheid.

His simply drawn figures were soon to be found on watches and cars, T-shirts and shopping bags, turning Haring into one of the best-known artists of his generation. Radiant Vision is a collection that features original works including drawings on paper, lithographs, silkscreens, posters, and other items that illustrate the entire span of Keith Haring’s short but prolific career.

Single Source Traveling Exhibition provided by: PAN Art Connections. Keith Haring: Radiant Vision is presented through the support of our generous sponsors and grantors. Silver sponsor: Dominion Energy. Bronze sponsors: Dr. Suzanne R. Thorpe and Dr. John W. Baynes. Friends sponsors: Joseph Bruce; Suzanne and Robert Clawson; Metro Wines Asheville; Beth and Matthew Richardson; Sandy and Sam McGuckin. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina.

GALLERY LIGHTING PROJECT

In its 75th anniversary year (2025), the CMA took on a legacy project: a total lighting renovation and a fresh reinstallation of art throughout the CMA Collection galleries. The CMA’s gallery lights dated back to 1998, when the museum first moved to its current location on Main Street. That system had grown obsolete and, to best preserve and present the art, had to be replaced.

To accommodate this exciting new project, all galleries were temporarily closed. First-floor exhibition galleries reopened on Saturday, May 24. Second-floor CMA Collection galleries reopen mid-January 2026, with the grand unveiling during the 75th Anniversary Gala on Friday, January 16. The museum has taken this opportunity to completely rethink how the Collection is presented, from gallery layouts and featured works to interpretive storytelling and visitor experience. We can’t wait for visitors to experience their museum in a brand-new light!

Rest assured, the CMA continues to offer exhibitions, programs, events, and rentals, ensuring that the museum remains a vibrant hub of culture and community.

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

Free First Thursday at the CMA
Thursday, January 1 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ring in the new year at your museum with free admission and extended hours. Last gallery entry at 7:30 p.m. Free. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Access for All Foundation and Lexington Health.

Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Hop, Skip, and Jump
Wednesday, January 7 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Keith Haring’s artwork is full of figures who crawl, leap, and dance. Join us as we explore movement with our own bodies and then in the energetic art of featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision.

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 art exploration theme. Free. Registration required for all participants as space is limited. Siblings welcome!

Art Class: Intuitive Painting
Saturday, January 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Kick off the new year with an exploration of the meditative process of painting. Experiment with acrylic and watercolor paint in a creative environment while taking inspiration from gestural figures and movement found in featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision. 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. All materials and equipment provided. No previous experience required. $120 / $96 for members.

The Agape Table: Drawn Together
Saturday, January 10 | 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Join the Columbia Museum of Art and The Agape Table for a day of art, conversation, and community around featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision. Moderators Demetria Blooms, Terrance Henderson, and Dylan Gunnels guide participants on a tour of the show, leading a discussion of works in the galleries that continues over a shared meal. Topics range from Haring’s bold, iconic imagery to his advocacy and activism for human rights — inspiring us to think critically about the world we live in today. This collaborative program creates a welcoming space where all voices are heard and where art becomes a catalyst for dialogue, belonging, and community care. Lunch catered by NoMa by Al Amir. Free. Participation limited to 21 guests.

Demetria Blooms (she/they) is a Black, queer, fat, and disabled artist and spiritual practitioner from South Carolina. Their works draw on their lived experiences and spiritual practices. Through different mediums, Blooms weaves together memory, emotion, and the mystic to create art that tells stories, promotes dreaming, and reminds us of the power within.

Terrance Henderson (he/him) is an international award-winning choreographer, performing artist, creative, writer, master teacher, and equity advisor based in Columbia, South Carolina. 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 the director of the modern, contemporary, and jazz dance program at Southeastern Ballet School for almost 20 years. He performs regularly throughout the state as a member of musical groups IndigoSOUL and The Pack. He was a 2025 Mellon Monuments Fellow with Wideman Davis Dance, is a former State Dance Performance Fellow, and in 2016 was the recipient of the city’s Steve G. Morrison Visionary Award. This past summer, Henderson originated the role of Dogwood in the World Premier of Kudzu Calling by Donnetta Lavina Grays at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Dylan Gunnels (he/him) is a local activist, community organizer, writer, and social entrepreneur. He graduated from Charleston Southern University with a B.A. in theology and has been in the ministry and nonprofit world ever since. He is a lover of people and enjoys walking with others on their journey to discovering their true self, their true faith, and their true community. Gunnels dreams of a world in which equity and belonging are the centerpiece of the community and hopes to play at least a small role in that. He is the founder and director of The Agape Table, an organization that is healing, educating, and activating to create a South Carolina where every LGBTQ person belongs. He also serves as the missions pastor at Emmaus Church, co-owner of Terracotta Nursery Columbia, and president of SC Pride, and consults with multiple organizations across the state. Gunnels is a dog dad to Bentley, Samson, and Delilah; a cat dad to Skene, Mila, and Louie; and he cherishes the loving relationship with his partner, Jack.

Public Tour of Keith Haring: Radiant Vision
Saturday, January 10 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m

Join us for a vibrant tour of Keith Haring: Radiant Vision. Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature images, with bold lines and vibrant colors, include dancing figures, a radiant baby, and a barking dog. Earnest and irreverent, Haring was a lifelong advocate of education and social activism. Radiant Vision is a collection that features original works from the entire span of his short but impactful career. Free with membership or admission.

Focal Points Tour: Keith Haring’s Apocalypse
Thursday, January 15 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join docent Nancie Shillington-Pérez in featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision for a close-looking tour of the iconic artist’s Apocalypse series, a collaboration with writer William S. Burroughs. Are there parallels between the euphoria and fear represented in this work from 1988 and today? After discussing these mature themes, the tour ends on the brighter topic of Haring’s Luna Luna Karrussell, part of an artistic amusement park project. 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 or admission.

75th Anniversary Gala
Friday, January 16 | 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Pack your passport and party outfit — we’re celebrating 75 years of creativity and community with a travel-themed night of cocktails, art, and memories! This landmark gala marks the culmination of the museum’s yearlong gallery lighting project and the grand unveiling of the newly reinstalled CMA Collection galleries. Through food, décor, and entertainment, guests will be transported around the globe as an homage to the four pillars of the CMA Collection: Asian, American, European, and modern and contemporary art. The evening features local takes on global cuisine from City Grit and Scott Hall, themed bars with specialty cocktails from Twist Bartending, and florals from WAS Design Works. Entertainment includes live painting, special guest appearances, and The Root Doctors bringing their signature party sound with performances of covers new and old. Come bust a move, serve a look, and get a look at the refreshed CMA Collection during the 75th Anniversary Gala, where the museum’s past meets its future in a celebration of light, legacy, and limitless possibility.

Attracting many prominent community citizens, museum supporters, and art lovers from around the state, the CMA Gala raises critical funds to support the museum’s mission to provide outstanding art and arts education for lifelong learning and community enrichment. $200 / $175 for members | Doors open at 7:00 p.m. | Creative black-tie attire | Complimentary valet parking on Hampton Street at Boyd Plaza.

This event is made possible with the support of generous contributions from our sponsors. America Sponsor: Dominion Energy. Asia Sponsor: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Europe Sponsor: Lexington Health. Art of Arrival and Valet Sponsor: McDaniels Porsche. Frequent Flyer Sponsor: LS3P. Additional support from many others.

Stroller Tour: Radiant Babies
Saturday, January 17 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Take a tour of Keith Haring: Radiant Vision 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 or admission. Registration required as space is limited.

Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature images, with bold lines and vibrant colors, include dancing figures, a radiant baby, and a barking dog. Earnest and irreverent, Haring was a lifelong advocate of education and socially conscious of the world around him. Radiant Vision is a collection that features original works from the entire span of his short but impactful career.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the CMA
Monday, January 19 | 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the CMA is open with free admission and special programming. Join the Friends of African American Art & Culture for A Storytelling Celebration: Continuing Dr. King’s Dream, featuring line dancing on Boyd Plaza beginning at 12:00 p.m. and a storytelling celebration beginning at 1:00 p.m. Make sure to visit the newly refreshed and reopened CMA Collection on the second floor. From 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., CMA Curator Sadé Ayorinde and Dr. Nancy Tolson, CMA docent and commissioner, will be in the galleries sharing insights, engaging in conversation, and highlighting works on view by Black and African American artists. Free.

FAAAC Presents A Storytelling Celebration: Continuing Dr. King’s Dream
Monday, January 19 | Line dancing 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Storytelling 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Join the Friends of African American Art & Culture at the Columbia Museum of Art for their sixth annual celebration of story, legacy, and community. Held each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this signature event honors Dr. King’s enduring legacy through the rich and transformative tradition of storytelling. The afternoon brings together voices from across the community — from scholars and authors to neighborhood historians — to celebrate unity, creativity, and the shared power of narrative.

Begin the celebration with lively line dancing on Boyd Plaza, then settle in for an enriching collection of stories centered around this year’s theme, “The Power of Continuing Dr. King’s Dream.” Hear stories that uplift the ideas of freedom, justice, and belonging from Dr. Dinah Johnson, Dr. Nancy Tolson, and a Ward One resident. Dr. Johnson’s presentation invites children and families into the world of imagination and hope, while Dr. Tolson and the Ward One storyteller offer reflections grounded in heritage and community experience. Free. Part of free access on MLK Day at CMA.

Yoga in the Galleries
Tuesday, January 20 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Close your eyes and inhale as if creating a brilliant painting within, rich and vibrant. Exhale as if gently brushing the colors across the canvas, letting each stroke carry away the weight of the day. Take one last deep breath in and release it like the final stroke of a finished work. In each all-level class, students flow like living paintings — slowly, mindfully, and full of presence. Every practice is its own gallery of breath and motion, leaving body and spirit light, refreshed, and at ease. This session in the newly installed Collection galleries is led by Delisa Simpson-Even, a Columbia-based RYT 200-hour yoga instructor. Mats provided, but students are welcome to bring their own mats and props. Ages 13 and up; no unaccompanied minors. $20 / $16 for members.

Delisa Simpson-Even trained in Ashtanga yoga in Tulum, Mexico, where she received her 200RYT. She has hosted and conducted workshops and served as an ambassador for local wellness and fitness instructors for Athleta in Huntsville, Alabama. Simpson-Even has served as a yoga instructor at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, Alabama, as well as the Yoga Fire Studio in Madison, Alabama. Most recently, Simpson-Even hosted a workshop at Namaste Yoga and taught classes at Lake Murray Yoga. She currently teaches yoga at One Life Fitness and is a youth yoga teacher for Peaceful Gathering Nature School.

Collection Spotlight: The Next Chapter
Tuesday, January 20 | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

As we close out the 75th anniversary celebration and look to the future, join Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook to learn about the evolution of the CMA Collection and how the current collecting focus on Modern and Contemporary, American, European, and Asian art informs the new 20-gallery installation.

Celebrate the reopening of the CMA Collection through this series of staff-led tours, honoring the new and exciting reimagining of the galleries. Experience what makes this transformation such a special moment for your museum. Free with membership or admission.

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Hop, Skip, and Jump
Wednesday, January 21 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Keith Haring’s artwork is full of figures who crawl, leap, and dance. Join us as we explore movement with our own bodies and then in the energetic art of featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision.

Gladys’ Gang is specially designed for 4- to 5-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through movement and play. 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!

Evening for Educators: Collection Reopening
Wednesday, January 21 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Educators from across the state are invited to the museum for an evening of art, wine, and bites as they enjoy private access to all 20 newly reinstalled CMA Collection galleries. Join Dr. Anna Swartwood House, USC professor of art history, as she provides insights from her own career about how to teach using art in the galleries. Educators are encouraged to explore, learn about brand-new tours, and try out lesson plan materials focusing on the refreshed Collection. Free. Registration is required as space is limited. Attendees receive documentation for professional development renewal credit.

Collection Spotlight: New Additions
Thursday, January 22 | 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

On this tour, discover some of the newest additions to the CMA Collection with Director of Learning and Engagement Chadric Devin, who shares insights into these exciting works. Learn how these pieces expand the stories the galleries tell and reflect the museum’s vision for the future.

Celebrate the reopening of the CMA Collection through this series of staff-led tours, honoring the new and exciting reimagining of the galleries. Experience what makes this transformation such a special moment for your museum. Free with membership or admission.

Art Class: Pattern Play
Saturday, January 24 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Learn how to create repeating patterns with featured exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision as inspiration. Using a limited color palette, students work by hand to experiment with different mediums, like cut paper and drawing, then transition into digital design using tablets to create their own repeatable patterns that can be used digitally or in other medium like paper or fabric. Taught by designer and educator Stephanie Nace. Students must provide their own tablets with the Procreate app installed. All other supplies and equipment provided. Ages 15 and up. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. $120 / $96 for members.

Stephanie Nace holds a B.F.A. in graphic design from Penn State University and an M.F.A. in visual communication design from Kent State University. A professor in graphic design and illustration at the University of South Carolina for over 22 years, she is an award-winning designer and educator. Her research focuses on conceptual development, experimental typography, letterpress, and three-dimensional design forms. Nace also serves as the faculty coordinator and creative director of The Design Studio, a student-run, faculty-led agency.

Meet the Author: Brad Gooch
Sunday, January 25 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Join us at Richland Library Main to learn about the stunning life of iconic American artist Keith Haring with acclaimed biographer Brad Gooch. Haring was one of the most emblematic artists of the 1980s, a figure described by his contemporaries as “a prophet in his life, his person, and his work.” He broke down barriers between high art and popular culture, creating work that was accessible for all and using it to provoke and inspire radical social change. Haring died of an AIDS-related illness in 1990. To this day, his influence on our culture remains incontrovertible.

Brad Gooch, noted biographer of Flannery O’Connor and Frank O’Hara, was granted access to Haring’s extensive archive. His biography Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring has become the authoritative work on the artist. Based on interviews with those who knew Haring best and drawing from a rich archival history, Gooch sets out to capture the magic of Keith Haring, a visionary and timeless icon.

The conversation is moderated by CMA Director of Learning and Engagement Chadric Devin. This event is made possible through a partnership with the Richland Library. Free. Attendees are encouraged to visit the CMA prior to this event to see the exhibition Keith Haring: Radiant Vision.

Brad Gooch is a poet, novelist, and biographer. His latest book Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring (Harper, 2024) was a national bestseller, a New York Times Book Critics’ Favorite Book of the Year, a Washington Post Notable Book of the Year, and a Booklist Top 10 Art Books of the Year. His previous books include Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love; Rumi: Unseen Poems (trans. Brad Gooch and Maryam Mortaz, Everyman’s Library); Smash Cut: A Memoir of Howard & Art & the ’70s & the ’80s; Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor, which was a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and a New York Times bestseller; City Poet: The Life and Times of Frank O’Hara; Godtalk: Travels in Spiritual America; three novels — Scary Kisses, The Golden Age of Promiscuity, and Zombie00.

Art History 101: American Art in the Collection
Tuesdays, January 27 and February 3, 10, and 17 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Art History 101 is a casual lecture series that explores the CMA Collection through our four main collecting areas: Modern and Contemporary, European, Asian, and American Art. For the first time in the series, attendees have the opportunity to experience this presentation alongside the newly reopened collection galleries. In this fourth and final course, dive into American works from the CMA Collection with art historian and educator Dr. Lana Burgess. American Art series: $80 / $64 for members. Individual classes: $25 / $20 for members.

Weekly Topics:
January 27 — From Eden to Industry: Landscapes in American Art
February 3 — Quiet Lives of the American Still Life
February 10 — The American Gaze: Portraits in American Art
February 17 — Genre Paintings: Visions of American Life

At the University of South Carolina, Lana Burgess holds a joint appointment between the McKissick Museum and the School of Visual Art and Design, where she teaches art history. Prior to USC, Burgess coordinated the museum studies program at Florida State University and worked as the associate curator of paintings and sculpture at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Alabama. She co-authored “Sharing Credit: Public Historians and Scientists Reflecting on Collaboration,” with Soumitra Ghoshroy, Allison Marsh, and Sarah Scripps in The Public Historian, Vol. 35 No. 2, May 2013. She has presented her research at the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting, the College Art Association, the Southeastern Museums Conference, and the South Carolina Federation of Museums. She was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries’ sponsored Kellogg School of Management’s Center for Nonprofit Management in 2012. She was a recipient of the 2014-2015 Teaching Excellence Grant in Integrative Learning from USC’s Center for Teaching Excellence and the 2016 SCOER! Faculty Award from Thomas Cooper Library. Burgess is a field reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and sits on the board of the Museum Studies Network (formerly the Committee on Museum Professional Training), a professional network of American Alliance of Museums. She also serves on the board of directors for the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries.

Collection Spotlight: Art Bridges
Tuesday, January 27 | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

The new reinstallation includes works on loan through the CMA’s partnership with the Art Bridges Foundation, a national organization expanding access to outstanding art across the country. Join Associate Director of Engagement Wilson Bame for a casual tour exploring the ways these special works help add depth and breadth to this fantastic collection.

Celebrate the reopening of the CMA Collection through this series of staff-led tours, honoring the new and exciting reimagining of the galleries. Experience what makes this transformation such a special moment for your museum. Free with membership or admission.

Collection Spotlight: The Kress Collection
Thursday, January 29 | 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Join Samuel H. Kress Foundation Fellow Erin Kuykendall to visit some of the Renaissance and Baroque works that launched the CMA Collection in the museum’s early days and learn how their presence continues to inform other works in the galleries.

Celebrate the reopening of the CMA Collection through this series of staff-led tours, honoring the new and exciting reimagining of the galleries. Experience what makes this transformation such a special moment for your museum. Free with membership or admission.

 

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. To learn more, visit columbiamuseum.org.