Columbia Museum of Art March 2024 Exhibitions and Events Calendar

Columbia Museum of Art March 2024 Calendar

EXHIBITIONS

Darrel Ellis: Regeneration
On view February 17 through May 12, 2024
Over the course of his career, Darrel Ellis developed a distinct studio practice that merged the formal vocabularies of drawing, photography, painting, and printmaking to redefine Black male identity and family within the constructs of art history and mainstream culture.

Ellis was influential during his life, inspiring the work of other artists and participating in more than 20 group exhibitions in New York and Europe before his career was cut short in 1992 by his death at the age of 33 due to an AIDS-related illness. To produce his groundbreaking images, Ellis shifted across a wide range of media, employing painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and collage to generate endless variations on a single image. This often involved projecting photographic negatives onto sculpted reliefs and re-photographing the results.

This exhibition examines the full arc of Ellis’s career through approximately 55 works on paper, including a historically significant body of work that captures the experiences and public perceptions of Black men living with the AIDS virus, as well as an expansive group of portraits of his family members that offer a record of Black domestic life.

Darrel Ellis: Regeneration is co-organized by the Baltimore Museum of Art and The Bronx Museum of the Arts. Silver Sponsors: Dr. Suzanne R. Thorpe and Dr. John W. Baynes. Bronze Sponsor: Councilwoman Allison Terracio, Richland County Council. Friend Sponsors: Barbara B. Boyd; Hotel Trundle. Patron Sponsors: Joseph Bruce; Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd; Suzi and Robert Clawson; Beth and Matthew Richardson. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina.

Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890 – 1945
On view February 17 through May 12, 2024
Through the lenses of interior scenes and material culture, Interior Lives explores the ways everyday Americans lived, worked, played, and evolved their identities in the first half of the 20th century. Homes, workplaces, and the spaces between were newly envisioned in response to socioeconomic and technological shifts. American artists, many of whom continued to work in a representational style, bore witness to the inception of a modern world and interpreted it as it manifested before them. The works on view in this exhibition — primarily portraits, genre scenes, and still lifes — are often modest in scale and humble in subject yet penetrating in their cultural and psychological implications.

The exhibition takes the 1890s as its starting point, a decade that encompassed the late Gilded Age and saw the beginnings of the Progressive Era reform movement. It extends through the end of World War II, when the United States entered a new period of global influence and when abstraction took over as the dominant artistic style. Over the course of these six decades, the widespread implementation of the telephone, the building of mass transit systems, and the proliferation of industrially manufactured goods inspired a new, rapid pace of life.

Interior Lives features more than 50 paintings, photographs, works on paper, and decorative arts, and is organized into four thematic sections: “How the Upper Half Lives,” “Labor, Leisure, and Liminal Space,” “Objects and Personas,” and “Faith, Family, and Community.” This multi-lender exhibition includes works by Milton Avery, Cecilia Beaux, Hilda Belcher, William Merritt Chase, Walter Gay, Edwin Harleston, Childe Hassam, and Richard Samuel Roberts, among others.

Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890– 1945 is organized by the Columbia Museum of Art and presented through the support of our generous sponsors and grantors. Silver Sponsors: Hannah and Ron Rogers; Dr. Suzanne R. Thorpe and Dr. John W. Baynes. Bronze Sponsors: Councilwoman Allison Terracio, Richland County Council; Joyce and George Hill; William Bodine. Friend Sponsor: Hotel Trundle. Patron Sponsors: Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd; Suzi and Robert Clawson; Beth and Matthew Richardson; Barbara B. Boyd; Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin M. Gimarc; Joseph Bruce. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina. Additional support from The Nord Family Foundation.

Art Blossoms
On view March 21 – 24, 2024
As spring begins, the museum is once again home to Art Blossoms, four dazzling days of botanical beauty featuring floral interpretations of beloved works of art. For its fourth year, Art Blossoms brings back beloved events like tour and tastings, art classes, and demonstrations, along with fun new programs. Save the date now for this exciting springtime celebration! General admission: $20 / Free for members.

Art Blossoms is a unique, limited-time exhibition that also serves as a fundraiser for the Columbia Museum of Art. Every ticket purchased for the exhibition and its related events supports the CMA’s award-winning arts education and programming and helps to ensure a thriving creative community in the Midlands.

Art Blossoms is organized by the Columbia Museum of Art and presented through the support of our generous sponsors and grantors. Magnolia Sponsors: Hannah and Ron Rogers. Camellia Sponsor: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Hydrangea Sponsor: Maynard Nexsen. Azalea Sponsors: Joyce and George Hill. Azalea Sponsors: Joyce and George Hill. Daffodil Sponsors: Beth and Matthew Richardson; Elliott Davis. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina.

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 eight signature garments from key moments in his revolutionary career alongside more than 20 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.
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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].

Art Class: Understanding the Basics
Saturday, March 2 | 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.

Neon Dreams: A Pop Art Affair
Saturday, March 2 | 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
The Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art is delighted to invite you to a bright night out on the town! Step into a vibrant world where the spirit of iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Indiana illuminates the night. Slip into your most vibrant attire, let the neon lights guide you, and join us for an event where reality and art collide in a neon-infused dream. Single tickets: $90 / $75 for Contemporaries members. Couples tickets: $150 / $120 for Contemporaries members. VIP tickets: $125 each, which includes access to the special VIP area, signature cocktail, and highlighted performances.

The Contemporaries’ annual ball is more than just a social gathering; it stands as a crucial fundraiser dedicated to supporting the acquisition of new and compelling pieces of artwork for the CMA. The heartbeat of this spectacular evening is the art auction, a showcase of talents from local and regional artists. Every bid and contribution made during this auction directly contributes to the Contemporaries’ art acquisition fund, which is used to help acquire new items to add to the museum’s award-winning collection.

CMA Chamber Music on Main
Monday, March 4 | Happy Hour and Galleries Open 6:00 p.m. | Concert 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Dubbed by artistic director Andrew Armstrong as “The Kaleidescope Concert,” this third show of the season features “one of two great valveless horn players in the Western Hemisphere,” R.J. Kelley. Kelley joins Armstrong on piano, Alexander Fiterstein on clarinet, Amy Schwartz Moretti on violin, Gabriela Diaz on viola, and Raphael Bell on cello. After each player introduces themselves and their instruments through Rachmaninov’s powerful G minor Piano Trio, all six blaze through the absolute romp that is Dohnanyi’s Sextet for clarinet, horn, strings, and piano. Kelley also shares a short-but-fascinating story of the valveless horn’s journey from lowly hunting and banquet hall instrument to the indispensable jewel in Strauss operas and Mahler symphonies. The evening also includes a good dose of Gershwin pop-and-sizzle as Fiterstein and Diaz play Rebecca Clarke’s exquisite Morpheus. Presented by April C. Lucas and John J. Stucker. $46 / $39 for members / $5 for students.

Art Class: Acrylic Painting Basics
Tuesdays, March 5, 12, and 19 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Explore the process of acrylic painting to better understand color blending, brushwork, and various techniques in this three-part class. Participants experiment with lots of color, brush manipulation, and how to have fun with acrylic paint. Taught by artist LaLa Cann. Ages 15 and up. All skill levels welcome. Some familiarity with drawing and painting is helpful but not required. Supplies and equipment provided. $200 / $160 for members.

LaLa Cann is a full-time artist based in Columbia, SC. In 2019 she earned her B.A. in art studio with a minor in business administration from Coastal Carolina University. Since graduating, Cann has been pursuing her art career — developing a portfolio of original work as well as taking commissions from clients. Her work is a representation of life itself, which she views to be an embodiment of art, spirituality, herbalism, and personal development.

Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Springing into Action
Wednesday, March 6 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
As spring approaches, the world transforms. Join us as we explore how plants, animals, and people change and grow in the coming season. Key topic: seasons. 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, March 7 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours. Take a guided tour of two featured exhibitions, Darrel Ellis: Regeneration and Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, at 6:00 p.m. 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.

Public Tour: Darrel Ellis and Interior Lives
Thursdays, March 7 and 21 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Take a guided tour of two featured exhibitions that explore identity, domesticity, and family through various lenses. Darrel Ellis: Regeneration features an underrecognized but innovative artist who experimented with new multimedia techniques to express his experiences as a Black man living with AIDS in the 1980s. In Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, artists from the turn of the century to World War II examine both psychological and physical interiors in a changing world. Free with membership or admission.

Mini Kiki Ball: The Kickstart
Saturday, March 9 | Doors open at 5:00 p.m. | Ball 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Inspired by featured spring exhibition Darrel Ellis: Regeneration, the Columbia Museum of Art and The Carolina Mother of The Artistic Haus of Telfar (Olympus Telfar) present Mini Kiki Ball: The Kickstart, a night where attendees and competitors step back into the 1970s and ’80s when ballroom culture was popularized in New York. A celebration of all queer identities, a kiki ball is a combination of performance, runway, and dance, with participants competing in an array of categories. The evening features commentator Iconic Overall Godmother Precious Old Navy with music by Legendary Founding Mother IndirahDaDJ Ragè. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in theme! Cash bar.

General admission: $25 / $20 for members. VIP section: $35 / $28 for members. The VIP section is in the Upper Atrium overlooking the performance and includes a private bar, light snacks, restrooms, and premiere seating. VIP stage-front tables for 4: $175. Tables include access to the VIP section; add $40 each for up to two additional seats, paid upon arrival.

Yoga in the Galleries
Mondays, March 11 and 25 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being with a unique class that seamlessly integrates yoga, movement, and sound healing. Led by experienced instructor Dre Drummond, this class offers a harmonious blend of ancient practices and modern insights, creating a space for profound connection and rejuvenation. Mats provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own mats and props. Ages 13 and up. No unaccompanied minors. $15 / $12 for members.

Drummond is a dedicated and highly experienced yoga facilitator with over 700 RYT hours of comprehensive yoga training and a versatile skill set encompassing prenatal yoga, Bikram yoga, vinyasa, trauma-informed, yoga course creation, and teacher training facilitation. Drummond has worked with major brands such as Nike, Lululemon Athletica, Peerspace Inc., and Bud Light. Drummond invites individuals from all walks of life to embark on a journey of holistic well-being and self-expression.

DesignHER Women’s Panel
Tuesday, March 12 | MakeHER Market 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion and Q&A 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | Mix and mingle 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
For the third year, CMA affinity group the Columbia Design League presents DesignHER, a Women’s History Month event spotlighting amazing designers within the Midlands community. The panel features a diverse group of accomplished women including Eva Foussat, owner of Eva Foussat Creative and president of AAF Midlands; Katie Fyock, visual merchandising manager at Anthropologie; Rita Patel, owner of Hotel Trundle; Janet Swigler, contemporary and improvisational quilt designer; and moderator Maya Smith, visual artist and operations manager at Stormwater Studios. Learn about their journeys, impacts, and designs across the Southeast and beyond. Light refreshments included. Before the panel, enjoy the MakeHER market with panelists and other female creators selling a variety of wares. $20 / $10 for CDL members / Free for students with ID.

More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop
Thursday, March 14 | Galleries and reception at 6:00 p.m. | Conversation at 7:00 p.m.
Join the CMA and affinity group Friends of African American Art & Culture for a panel discussion and reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. This discussion focuses on the significant role hip-hop has played in Black culture and the cultural impact it has made throughout the world, including its meteoric rise to become the single most popular genre. Led by series host and ethnomusicologist Dr. Birgitta Johnson, the panel includes Jabari Evans, assistant professor of race and media at the University of South Carolina and award-winning songwriter, as well as Toby Jenkins, USC associate provost for faculty development & professor of higher ed. and author of The Hip-Hop Mindset.

Arrive early to enjoy a reception hosted by FAAAC, and stick around after the discussion for a chance to purchase a signed copy of The Hip-Hop Mindset. Cash bar. Free. Registration preferred.

Film Screening: unseen
Friday, March 15 | Doors at 5:30 p.m. | Screening 6:00 – 8:00 p.m
Through experimental cinematography and sound, unseen reimagines the accessibility of cinema while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health. Join the CMA and South Carolina ETV and Public Radio for a screening of unseen to learn the story of Pedro, a blind, undocumented immigrant, as he works to obtain his college degree, become a social worker, and support his family. A discussion about accessibility in the state of South Carolina with subject matter experts follows. Free with registration. Run time: 90 minutes.

Art Class: Abstract Painting
Saturday, March 16 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn to apply compositional guidelines in abstract art in a nonintimidating environment. Participants create abstract artwork in a variety of sizes using multiple techniques and materials including acrylic paint and some watercolor. Subjects covered also include organic and geometric shapes, visual movement, and mark-making styles. 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. $120 / $96 for members.

Stroller Tour: Featured Exhibitions
Saturday, March 16 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Take a tour of new featured exhibitions Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890 – 1945 and Darrel Ellis: Regeneration 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.

Accessible Yoga in the Galleries
Monday, March 18 | 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.

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Springing into Action
Wednesday, March 20 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
As spring approaches, the world transforms. Join us as we explore how plants, animals, and people change and grow in the coming season. Key topic: seasons. 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 required for all participants as space is limited.
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Art Blossoms
On view March 21 – 24, 2024
Over the first few days of spring, the museum is once again home to Art Blossoms, four dazzling days of botanical beauty featuring floral interpretations of beloved works of art. For its fourth year, Art Blossoms brings back beloved events like tour and tastings, art classes, and demonstrations, along with fun new programs. Save the date now for this exciting springtime celebration! General admission: $20 / Free for members.

Art Blossoms Opening Celebration
Wednesday, March 20 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Shake off those winter blues with the Columbia Museum of Art! Celebrate the start of spring and the opening of Art Blossoms, your museum’s annual exhibition fundraiser in which works of art are transformed into stunning floral arrangements. Be the first to experience the breathtaking installations and creative arrangements courtesy of florists, designers, and garden clubs from across the state and enjoy refreshments catered by F2T Productions. Your ticket purchase helps support the mission of the CMA to spark powerful connections through art from around the corner and around the world. $70 / $50 for members.

Garden Design with Bill Guess
Thursday, March 21 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Welcome the spring season on Boyd Plaza with Bill Guess, garden coach at B.B. Barns. Florists take into consideration the color and form of the flowers used in a floral arrangement; gardeners use these same design elements but must also account for the water and sun needs of the plants selected. Guess presents several formulas for botanical combinations that successfully incorporate both the aesthetic and horticultural needs of the plants in a garden arrangement. Each participant leaves with a blooming spring annual plant to get them started at home. $35 / $20 for members. Admission to Art Blossoms included.

Roses & Rosé
Thursday, March 21 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Sip into spring with wines paired expertly with Art Blossoms arrangements and nibbles. Hosted by Tim Gardner of the James Beard Award-nominated Lula Drake Wine Parlor. Use the first half hour to mingle, enjoy nibbles, and explore the galleries before the tasting. Ages 21 and up. $100 / $80 for members.

Art Class: Floral Design
Friday, March 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join Sarah Shell, founder of Fern Studio Flowers, for a morning of floral design. Shell guides participants through the steps of designing and arranging a compote in Fern’s signature garden style. This class uses lush, specialty blooms with a concentration on seasonal, local flowers. Ticket includes the compote container and all flowers and mechanics needed to create a stunning centerpiece. Ages 15 and up. $200 / $160 for members.

Foraging Walks with Matt Kip of Full Belly Foraging
Friday, March 22 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Have you ever considered the edible flora growing wild in the city? Matt Kip of Full Belly Foraging has been doing it for over 30 years and knows just where to go and what to look for. This year, celebrate Art Blossoms a little differently on a nature walk with Kip at the Columbia Riverwalk to explore what’s right here in our city’s natural landscape. Identify and harvest wild edible and medicinal plants, go over species to avoid, and learn about local habitats and what useful species can likely be found there. Kip brings a wild dish to sample before the excursion. This private walk lasts roughly 1.5 hours, so wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothes and shoes. Limited space available. Meeting location will be included in the confirmation email after registration. $35 / $28 for members.

Matt Kip grew up exploring the woods near his house in the sandhill country of central South Carolina. After witnessing heavy machinery turn the woods near his home into housing developments and shopping centers, Kip began searching for a way to live that didn’t require the destruction of nature. Fascinated by the old ways of generations who lived without the manufactured products and industrial food systems of our modern world, he began reading every book he could find about wild edibles. For 15 years now, Kip has been leading plant walks along the rivers in Columbia through his business, Full Belly Foraging. In that time he has introduced thousands of people to a refreshing way of seeing and connecting with the natural world.

Art Class: Paper Making with Plants
Saturday, March 23 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Create your own handmade paper using plant fibers from cotton, abaca — a plant grown in the Philippines used to make artist paper — and other floral ephemera. Participants can keep their finished paper for enjoyment or plant it and watch their creations grow and evolve. Taught by artist and CMA docent Velvet Underwood. All supplies and equipment provided. Ages 15 and up. $150 / $120 for members.

Velvet Underwood developed a love for making handmade paper and book arts several years ago when she was a fiber arts student at Central Michigan University. Since then, she has taken several university classes and workshops to advance her knowledge of both. Underwood is a resident of Chapin, where she lives with her husband and two rescue dogs. When she isn’t busy making art, she volunteers her time as a docent at the CMA and is involved with community theater at the Chapin Theater Company.

Punk Ikebana Demonstration and Dialogue
Saturday, March 23 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us on day three of Art Blossoms as acclaimed artist, author, and floral designer Louesa Roebuck celebrates the early spring flora of South Carolina. In her critically acclaimed books Punk Ikebana and Foraged Flora, Roebuck explains classic rules of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, and demonstrates how to bend those rules in her distinctive style. See how her work unites the cultural meanings and wise elegance of a traditional perspective with an exhilarating freedom from convention. Audience interaction is encouraged as Roebuck shares how she has created transcendent, eco-luxe compositions with seasonal flora foraged and composed in situ from the San Francisco Botanical Gardens and elsewhere. Following the demonstration and dialogue, enjoy a book signing and a chance to meet the artist. Admission to the Art Blossoms galleries, sparkling wine, and sweet treats included. $45 / $36 for members. Books available for purchase.

Louesa Roebuck, author of the critically acclaimed Foraged Flora and Punk Ikebana, is a printmaker, painter, and floral artist. She has created flora installations from foraged and gleaned materials for high-end clients such as Michelle Obama, Vivienne Westwood, John Baldessari, Todd Selby, House Beautiful, Michael Pollan, and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. Her work has been featured in a number of national and international magazines and media including Vogue, Martha Stewart Living, Los Angeles Times, Remodelista, Wired, C Magazine, Bare Journal, and Sunset. Aligning her deep commitment to the environment with her love of foraging, gleaning, and sourcing locally, Roebuck offers this very simple mantra: if you only forage, glean, or source local and micro-seasonal flora, you’ll have a perfectly symbiotic and harmonious practice, one that is intrinsically whole and abundant, full of more yeses than nos. She lives in Ojai, California.

Art Class: Ikebana Essentials and Aesthetics
Sunday, March 24 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn the essentials and aesthetics of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Build your own arrangement after a brief history of the art and a demonstration. Taught by ikebana instructor Lucy Spence. All supplies and equipment provided. $200 / $160 for members.

A certified ikebana instructor in Columbia, SC, Lucy Spence is a member of Ikebana International and Sogetsu Teachers Association. She has been practicing Japanese flower arranging for 10 years. She has traveled extensively in Japan over the past 27 years and has studied Japanese language for 11 years.

Art Blossoms Sunday Teatime
Sunday, March 24 | 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Celebrate the final day of Art Blossoms with a relaxing afternoon featuring botanical teas and a-la-carte desserts. Sit and chat with loved ones or take part in family-friendly activities like fascinator and fan making stations or a teatime selfie station. Throughout the afternoon, guests are encouraged to drop by and visit the beautiful Art Blossoms galleries one last time. Activities free with membership or admission. Tea and desserts and other bites from Main Street Bakery available for purchase.

Art Class: Punk Ikebana Mono Prints
Sunday, March 24 | 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Acclaimed artist, author, and floral designer Louesa Roebuck leads participants in the creation of botanical mono prints from a range of seasonal flora materials foraged and gleaned. Use nontoxic water-based pigments and inks including walnut ink, sumi ink, gouache, water-based oil paints, and floral pigments to create botanical prints on paper and textiles. All supplies and equipment provided. Ages 15 and up. $200 / $160 for members.

Louesa Roebuck, author of the critically acclaimed Foraged Flora and Punk Ikebana, is a printmaker, painter, and floral artist. She has created flora installations from foraged and gleaned materials for high-end clients such as Michelle Obama, Vivienne Westwood, John Baldessari, Todd Selby, House Beautiful, Michael Pollan, and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. Her work has been featured in a number of national and international magazines and media including Vogue, Martha Stewart Living, Los Angeles Times, Remodelista, Wired, C Magazine, Bare Journal, and Sunset. Aligning her deep commitment to the environment with her love of foraging, gleaning, and sourcing locally, Roebuck offers this very simple mantra: if you only forage, glean, or source local and micro-seasonal flora, you’ll have a perfectly symbiotic and harmonious practice, one that is intrinsically whole and abundant, full of more yeses than nos. She lives in Ojai, California.
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Public Tour: Behind the Collection
Sunday, March 24 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Get a glimpse into the story behind the art: the science to create the materials, the lives that shaped the artists’ views, the thought process that leads a museum to acquire a piece, and the care required to keep a work of art in excellent condition for thousands of years. 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. 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.