Columbia Museum of Art May 2024 exhibitions and events calendar

Exhibitions

Darrel Ellis: Regeneration
On view 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 Sponsors: Councilwoman Allison Terracio, Richland County Council; Colonial Life. Friend Sponsor: Hotel Trundle. Patron Sponsors: Barbara B. Boyd; Joseph Bruce; Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd; Suzi and Robert Clawson; Beth and Matthew Richardson; Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration; Prisma Health; Lefkowitz Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics; Cathy and Mike Love. 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 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; Colonial Life. 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; Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration; Prisma Health; Lefkowitz Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics; Cathy and Mike Love. Grantors: City of Columbia; Experience Columbia SC; Richland County Government; South Carolina Arts Commission; Discover South Carolina. Additional support from The Nord Family Foundation.

Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit
On view through July 7, 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.

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/visit/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].

Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Wear and When
Wednesday, May 1 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Clothes can help keep us warm and dry. They can protect us, let us play pretend, and show off things we like. They might even give us clues about someone’s job or hobbies. Join us as we explore clothing from head to toe and then make our own wearable works of art! Key topic: clothing. 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. Free. Siblings welcome. Registration required for all participants as space is limited.

Public Tour: Interior Lives and Darrel Ellis
Thursdays, May 2 and 16 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 12 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Take a guided tour of two exhibitions that explore identity, domesticity, and family through various lenses. Darrel Ellis: Regeneration features an underrecognized but innovative artist, a Black man living with AIDS in the 1980s who experimented with new multimedia techniques. In Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890–1945, 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.

Free First Thursday at the CMA
Thursday, May 2 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours. Take a guided tour of featured exhibitions Darrel Ellis: Regeneration and Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890–1945 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. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Art Class: Gel Printing
Saturdays, May 4 and 11 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In this two-part workshop, students find inspiration in exhibitions Darrel Ellis: Regeneration and Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890–1945, then use a jelly surface and various materials including plants, string, and lace to create patterns and transfer images to paper. Ages 15 and up. All supplies and equipment provided. Taught by artist Cicely Hill. $120 / $96 for members.

Born in Ft. Hood, Texas, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, for most of her life, Cicely Hill earned her MFA at the University of South Carolina. Her art currently tackles issues of race, identity, and historical injustice. She is very interested in creating works with multiple layers that encourage thought and open dialogue about race in America. Her art spans several mediums — sculpture, drawing, painting, and textiles are all a part of her exploration of her preferred topic. Hill utilizes many facets of expression, also making prints, books, and other art with lighter subject matter. She works toward this while immersing herself in the stream of life both in her art and as a Black woman living in this society.

Meditation Monday
Mondays, May 6, 13, and 20 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Begin your week with a restorative meditation and mindful journaling session in the CMA Collection galleries. Guests participate in a meditation session led by Marlena Crovatt-Bagwell followed by a journaling activity that encourages mindfulness and connection. Mats and journals provided; guests are welcome to bring their own mats and props. Ages 13 and up (no unaccompanied minors). Registration required as space is limited. $20 / $16 for members.

Marlena Crovatt-Bagwell, a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, is an accomplished graphic designer with more than 30 years of experience. In the face of the pandemic, she discovered the power of art journaling and meditation as a leveling creative outlet. Crovatt-Bagwell has since filled dozens of journals, finding balance, harmony, and peace of mind within them.

Midlands Gives
Tuesday, May 7 | 6:00 a.m. – Midnight
Today is the day to give! Midlands Gives is an annual online philanthropic event that raises money and awareness in support of nonprofits in the Midlands. Please visit midlandsgives.org today to make your charitable, tax-deductible gift to the CMA. Midlands Gives is hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation.

Evening for Educators
Wednesday, May 8 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Educators from across the state are invited to join the CMA in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with an evening of art, wine, and bites that includes a private look at closing featured exhibitions with a particular focus on Darrel Ellis: Regeneration. Charlotte-based documentary photographer and community organizer Héctor Vaca Cruz, whose work was featured in the 2020 CMA exhibition Hindsight 20/20, shares insights into how his work intersects and parallels the art and experiences of Darrel Ellis. Educators are invited to explore the galleries, learn about field trip offerings, and get a preview of exhibitions for the coming months. Registration is required as space is limited. Attendees receive documentation for professional development renewal credit. Free for educators.

Gentle Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza
Fridays, May 10 and 24 | 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Start your day at the CMA with a gentle yet invigorating yoga session for those who want to enjoy the practice at a slower pace to support movement patterns, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing. The class takes place on Boyd Plaza and can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both will be provided. Registrants are welcome to bring their own mats and props. 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. Free with registration. In the event of rain, class will be canceled. A grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation supported this project.

Jazz with Noel Freidline and Maria Howell: Motown Reimagined
Friday, May 10 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
With 27 No. 1 hits and over 60 Top 10 hits, Motown had so many popular songs that one could put together five separate shows and still have plenty left over. Between the exemplary songwriting of Smokey Robinson, Holland/Dozier/Holland, and Berry Gordy and the musical interpretations of legends like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and the Four Tops, Motown has gifted a repertoire that is prime for reinterpretation. Join bandleader Noel Freidline and vocalist Maria Howell as they reimagine the music that defined the ’60s. Beer and wine available for purchase. Reserve your own table or share one with other guests. Four-person tables (includes one bottle of wine): $200 / $160 for members. Individual table seats: $50 / $40 for members.

Jazz at the CMA is supported by Barbara B. Boyd and Becky and Earl Ellis.

Art Class: Unconventional Still Life
Saturdays, May 11 and 18 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
In this two-part workshop, students use oils to paint still lifes using unique items and objects, such as fast food containers and Funko Pop sculptures, while taking inspiration from CMA Collection and the exhibition Interior Lives: Modern American Spaces, 1890–1945. Taught by artist Austin Reynolds. Ages 15 and up. Supplies and equipment provided. $140 / $112 for members.

Austin Reynolds is from Orangeburg, South Carolina. His work has been exhibited throughout the U.S., including shows at The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C., Collectors Choice in Camarillo, C.A., and ArtFields in Lake City, S.C. His most recent works have been created under the Emerging Artist Grant from the SC Arts Commission. Reynolds is based in Rock Hill, S.C., as an M.F.A. candidate at Winthrop University.

Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: What and Wear
Wednesday, May 15 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Clothes can help keep us warm and dry. They can protect us, let us play pretend, and show off things we like. They might even give us clues about someone’s job or hobbies. Join us as we explore clothing from head to toe and then make our own wearable works of art! Key topic: clothing. 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. Free. Siblings welcome. Registration required for all participants as space is limited.

Jazz Al Fresco
Wednesdays, May 15, 22, and 29 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with free lunchtime concerts on Boyd Plaza courtesy of the Cola Jazz Foundation and the CMA. Musician Mark Rapp leads a rotating group of musicians as listeners take in the spring air and enjoy a nosh by the fountain or a quick respite on the plaza. Drop by any time during the concert to enjoy the music. Grab lunch from a featured food truck or bring your lunch from home (or one of our Main Street neighbors). Free. Seating is limited, so feel free to bring a chair. A grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation supported this project.

Evening Yoga on Boyd Plaza
Wednesdays, May 15, 22, and 29 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
End your day with a restorative yoga session on Boyd Plaza. Taught by Panna Chauhan of Buddha Belly Kids, a kid-friendly yoga organization that teaches mindfulness and setting the foundation to healthy yoga habits. Mats and props provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own. Appropriate for all skill levels. Ages 5 and up. No unaccompanied minors. Free with registration. In the event of rain, the session will be canceled. A grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation supported this project.

Read With Art: Silent Book Club at the CMA
Saturday, May 18 | 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join Jemia Williams, avid reader and Columbia’s Silent Book Club official host, for a morning celebrating literature and art. Whether you’re seeking solitude for quiet reflection or eager to connect with fellow bookworms, this event offers a welcoming space to come together and share your love for the written word. There is no assigned reading — simply bring along your current book and enjoy reading in the museum with art. Take the first half hour to settle in with light refreshments and then spend the next hour in silent reading. During the last half hour, attendees are welcome to continue reading, explore the galleries, socialize, or take a look at some CMA staff picks to find a new read connected to the visual arts. Free. Registration required as space is limited. Gallery admission included.

A grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation supported this project. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Stroller Tour: Cornerstones of the Collection
Wednesday, May 22 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
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 or admission. Registration required as space is limited.

Read Around Series Featuring Evelyn Berry
Thursday, May 23 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Several poems in Evelyn Berry’s latest book of poetry, Grief Slut (Sundress Publications, 2024), were inspired by art at the CMA. Join Berry for a guided tour through the galleries interspersed with readings of work that was inspired there. Free. Registration required as space is limited.

Exploring the symbiosis of visual and literary arts, the Read Around Series features poets and writers who have composed work that responds to or is inspired by artwork in the CMA Collection. The audience takes a guided tour based on the compositions during which they can experience the artwork through poetry or short fiction.

Evelyn Berry is a trans, Southern writer, editor, and educator. In addition to Grief Slut, she has published Buggery (Bateau Press, 2020), winner of the BOOM Chapbook Prize. Berry is a recipient of a 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship, 2022 Dr. Linda Veldheer Memorial Prize, 2019 Broad River Prize for Prose, and 2018 Emrys Poetry Prize, among other honors. Her work has appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, South Carolina Review, Gigantic Sequins, Raleigh Review, Taco Bell Quarterly, and elsewhere. Berry lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with her partner and their pets, working as a library communications strategist.

Public Tour: Cornerstones of the Collection
Sunday, May 26 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
From corner to corner, see key works in the CMA Collection from around the globe and from ancient to modern. This tour includes gems by artists like Renée Cox, Andy Warhol, and Sandro Botticelli, along with the first piece ever purchased by the CMA. Free with membership or admission.