from the executive
DIRECTOR
Visit columbiamuseum.org
Karen Brosius
Major Exhibitions
The Chemistry of Color:
Contemporary African-American Artists
February 5 – May 9, 2010
Gallery Installations
Skate and Create
On view in the David Wallace Robinson, Jr. Community Gallery
January 27 – March 21, 2010
Color Vision: African American Masters from the Collection
On view in the Mamie and Andrew Treadway, Jr. Gallery 15
February 17 – May 30, 2010
Columbia Post-Graffiti
On view in the David Wallace Robinson, Jr. Community Gallery
March 31 – April 25, 2010
Upcoming Major Exhibitions
Imperial Splendor:
Renaissance Tapestries from Vienna
May 21 – September 19, 2010
The Birth of Romulus and Remus, detail
Brussels, Workshop of Frans Geubels
c. 1560, 161 in. x140 in.
wool, silk, silver, and gold,
designer and cartoon painter not known
Kunsthistorisc hes Museum, Vienna
Innovation and Change:
Great Ceramics from the Ceramics Research Center
May 28 – September 5, 2010
WAYNE HIGBY (b. 1943) American
Landscape Bowl, circa 1980
stoneware
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George F. Wick
The Museum is in full swing celebrating its 60th anniversary
year in 2010 of being open to the public, and this issue is
packed with fun facts, events, and member testimonials.
March 23 is the actual ‘birthday’ back in 1950, when the
Museum’s doors first opened to the public. We have planned
a riot of 60 events for 60 years, so fasten your seat belt. The
listing of events can be found by visiting our Web site.
Many of these anniversary exhibitions and events have a
significant emphasis on color. Color may seem like a broad
theme, but it is a crucial ingredient as we know to the
liveliness, beauty and splendor of art. Get ready to see the Museum bursting with
reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, golds, purples and every color imaginable.
A major highlight of our anniversary year is the Contemporaries’ major commission
and installation in April of a vibrantly colored Chihuly chandelier for the Museum’s
atrium – a truly magnificent accomplishment for our membership group of committed
and passionate young professionals who are interested in art. And the Museum’s 60th
anniversary gala titled “Red Hot…Cool” on Saturday, April 17, highlights the exuberant
use of color as well as showcasing the City of Columbia being “Famously Hot,
Surprisingly Cool.” At the same time is the dynamic exhibition of African-American
contemporary art called The Chemistry of Color, on view in our main first-floor galleries
through early May, and which will be a highlight of the gala evening as well.
The Contemporaries’ acquisition of a Dale Chihuly chandelier for the Museum’s
atrium was no easy task and is an outstanding achievement for such a young
membership group. The Contemporaries are comprised of nearly 400 young
professionals in the greater Columbia area who promote and purchase art for the
Museum, diversify its membership, and lead a new generation of supporters. As part
of the design committee, I and the group delved into the design process that included
meetings with Chihuly’s top designer, review of a variety of designs, choosing a shape,
form and size, and looking through glass and color samples until a final design was
chosen that fit our asymmetrical space. I had the wonderful opportunity to travel with
the Contemporaries in January to see this glass masterpiece in person at Chihuly’s
studio in Seattle, and Chihuly said that there had never been such a large group to visit
his studio. It is breathtaking and represents such a momentous gift to the Museum and
to Columbia – a gift to be heralded and celebrated.
The “Red Hot…Cool” gala on April 17 will take place under this vibrant chandelier.
Guests will be treated to an evening of effervescent colors, fabulous music, delicious
food and great entertainment. Deepest thanks go to the gala sponsors as well as the
members of the gala committee for their hard work and making the gala an
unforgettable evening.
I Heard a Voice:
The Art of Leslie Dill
October 1, 2010 – January 23, 2011
Corolla
2005/2008
rubber, fabric, thread, wire
31 x 25 1/2 in.
Finally, the Museum is launching in March its first-ever Legacy Society, inviting all of
you who care about art and the community to join us. This Legacy Society recognizes
those who care so deeply for the arts that they have made plans to support the Museum
with a future gift. Legacy Society Members are acting now to ensure that the arts in
Columbia remain vital and strong in our community... for generations to come! As
you can tell, the next generation of leaders for the museum is raring to go, and legacy
gifts will make all the difference to the Museum’s future. I invite you to celebrate color
with us this spring as spring brings warmth to South Carolina, and so does color bring
warmth to the Museum.
Proud supporter of the Columbia Museum of Art