Listen to this articleEXHIBITIONS
(Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art
On view June 15 through September 8, 2024
From natural wonders to the open road, the landscape has long been a muse in American art. (Un)Settled questions the shaping of national identity through objects from the colonial era to present. The variety of media and makers helps to redefine whose view is considered and expands on landscape’s relevance and resonance in art.
(Un)Settled explores the rich, complicated, and evolving topic of what it means to be American. The exhibition presents historic artworks in conversation with modern and contemporary pieces to examine ideas such as defining national identity, the question of land preservation, the meaning of boundaries, the complexity of cultural landscapes, and how location shapes our sense of self.
Building upon noted Hudson River School paintings, (Un)Settled features works by artists including Fidelia Bridges, Marsden Hartley, Georgia O’Keeffe, Benny Andrews, William Christenberry, Ana Mendieta, Ed Ruscha, Jeffrey Gibson, and Jacqueline Bishop. Through 40 artworks including examples of material culture such as furniture, glass, ceramics, and baskets, the exhibition highlights the evolving conversations around landscape and its relationship to establishing cultural and national identity over the last two centuries.
This is one in a series of American art exhibitions created through a multi-year, multi-institutional partnership formed by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art as part of the Art Bridges Cohort Program. Led by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (CT), the cohort includes three partners: the Columbia Museum of Art (Columbia, SC), the Mobile Museum of Art (Mobile, AL), and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (AL). This innovative cross-regional partnership explores new ways of interpreting art and the American experience through dynamic exhibitions and an array of complimentary public programs.
(Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art is presented through the support of our generous sponsors and grantors. 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: Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd; Suzi and Robert Clawson; Beth and Matthew Richardson; Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration; Prisma Health; Lefkowitz Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. 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 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 tours@columbiamuseum.org.
Art Class: Exploring Color Theory Through Watercolor
Saturday, June 1 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn how to apply color theory in watercolor painting. This class focuses on getting comfortable with fundamentals like color mixing, brush technique, composition, and drawing skills. Taught by professional watercolorist Constance Manley, a signature member of the South Carolina Watermedia Society. Ages 15 and up. Please bring reference photos to work from; all other materials and equipment provided. $100 / $80 for members.
Mini Kiki Ball: The Kickstart
Saturday, June 1 | Doors open at 5:00 p.m. | Ball 6:00 – 10:30 p.m.
The Columbia Museum of Art and The Carolina Mother of The Artistic Haus of Telfar (Olympus Telfar) present Mini Kiki Ball: The Kickstart. 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.
Morning Blend: A Jazz, Soul, and Coffee Series
Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26 | 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Stop by Boyd Plaza and add variety to your morning routine with a series from our friends at Curiosity Coffee Bar. Relax with jazz from Kyle Bryant and a lineup of rotating musicians along with soul, funk, and R&B DJ sets from Preach Jacobs highlighting a different theme each week. Enjoy Curiosity’s coffee, tea, and vegan breakfast options and a Drake’s Duck-In popup with options including their famous chicken biscuits. Free to attend. Food and drink for purchase. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
On June 5, celebrate Pride month as the Kyle Bryant Trio plays jazz music written and performed by LGBTQ+ musicians. On June 12, the Kyle Bryant Trio welcomes outstanding vocalists to perform songs representing the deep history of vocalists within the jazz tradition. On June 19, celebrate a legend in music, South Carolina’s own Dizzy Gillespie, as the Kyle Bryant Quartet performs tunes honoring the Cheraw-born jazz great. On June 26, the Kyle Bryant Group performs music composed and performed by legendary saxophonist John Coltrane as well as songs by his former bandmates and contemporaries.
Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Splish Splash
Wednesday, June 5 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Water comes in rain, ponds, puddles, and oceans. It helps plants grow, boats move, and us to cool off and get clean. Join us as we explore the wet and wonderful world of water in all its forms. Key topic: water. 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.
Free First Thursday at the CMA
Thursday, June 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours. Take a guided tour of the CMA Collection 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.
Public Tour: Behind the Collection
Thursday, June 6 | 6:00 – 7:00 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.
Gentle Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza
Fridays, June 7 and 21 | 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.
Summer Camp: Metalworks
Saturday, June 8 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Teens cut, saw, solder, and form sheet metal into original creations as they learn the basics of metalsmithing. This camp is a great introduction for anyone with an interest in jewelry making or sculpture. Ages 13 – 18. $150 / $120 for members.
Public Tour: Carolina in the Collection
Sunday, June 9 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Discover the rich artistic tapestry of South Carolina. See works by artists in our state and treasures that once adorned local homes. Learn about the Charleston Renaissance, Catawba pottery, and artists right here in Columbia while you explore works by Richard Samuel Roberts, Edmund Yaghjian, Michaela Pilar Brown, and more. Free with membership or admission. Admission is free for all SC residents through generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
Summer Camp: It’s Only Natural
Monday – Friday, June 10 – 14 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Artists and scientists both learn about the world using their senses. This camp’s group of naturalists explore and express the beauty of the outdoors by examining exquisite landscapes, experimenting with using natural resources to create art materials, venturing outside for nature walks, and more. Ages 4 – 6. $175 / $140 for members.
Summer Camp: Brush Up
Monday – Friday, June 10 – 14 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Explore paints from oil and acrylic to watercolor and beyond. Campers learn about various styles of painting using the CMA Collection for inspiration. Ages 10 – 12. $200 / $160 for members.
Evening Yoga on Boyd Plaza
Mondays, June 10 and 24 | 6:00 – 7:00 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.
Opening Celebration for (Un)Settled
Saturday, June 15 | Refreshments 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Performance 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Celebrate the opening of new exhibition (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art with sweet treats and beverages from Main Street Bakery and a multidisciplinary performance featuring artist and poet Marlanda Dekine. Inspired by themes in (Un)Settled, Dekine joins pianist Moses Andrews III and dancer Starlitt Miller on stage to recite selected works from her book Thresh & Hold. Before the performance, get a sneak peek at the first episode of the (Un)Settled video podcast. Copies of Thresh & Hold available for purchase before and after the performance. Free with membership or admission. Admission is free for all SC residents.
This multi-year, multi-institutional exhibition partnership was formed by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art as part of the Art Bridges Cohort Program. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
Summer Camp: Project Funway
Monday – Friday, June 17 – 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
From drafting to crafting, campers learn all about fashion design as they create and update their own wearable art inspired by what they see in the CMA Collection and in the exhibition Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit. The week culminates with a fashion show! Ages 10 – 12. $200 / $160 for members.
Summer Camp: Here, There, and Everywhere
Monday – Friday, June 17 – 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Get your passport ready! Campers spend the week touring the galleries for global inspiration to bring back to the studios for their creations. What souvenirs will they acquire from their adventures? Ages 4 – 6. $175 / $140 for members.
Summer Camp: Canvas Concentrations
Monday – Friday, June 17 – 21 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Explore paints from oil and acrylic to watercolor and beyond. Teens learn about various styles of painting using the CMA Collection for inspiration. Ages 13 – 18. $200 / $160 for members.
Summer Camp: Drawing from Life
Monday – Friday, June 17 – 21 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Campers get inspired sketching inside and outside of the museum and learn time-tested techniques to make drawings come to life. Instruction explores the basics of 2D composition, including shading and perspective, figure drawing, and more, with media ranging from pencils to charcoal. Ages 10 – 12. $200 / $160 for members.
Juneteenth at the CMA
Wednesday, June 19 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In celebration of Juneteenth, the CMA is offering free admission and activities centered on Black art. Enjoy exhibitions Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit and (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art as well as the CMA Collection. Join the Friends of African American Art & Culture’s Dr. Nancy Tolson for a tour of Black art in the CMA Collection at 1:00 p.m. Or come early to experience Morning Blend: A Jazz, Soul, and Coffee Series on Boyd Plaza from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, Richland County Council.
Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Splish Splash
Wednesday, June 19 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Water comes in rain, ponds, puddles, and oceans. It helps plants grow, boats move, and us to cool off and get clean. Join us as we explore the wet and wonderful world of water in all its forms. Key topic: water. 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 is required for all participants as space is limited.
Public Tour: (Un)Settled
Thursday, June 20 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Take a guided tour of (Unsettled): The Landscape in American Art, a new exhibition exploring the rich, complicated, and evolving topic of what it means to be American. This broad view of place and perspective includes a wide array of works, from vessels made from the clay of the Catawba river and the grasses of the Pacific Northwest to sweeping Hudson River School landscapes and modern imaginary cityscapes. Free with membership or admission. Admission is free for all SC residents through generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
Drag Bingo at the CMA
Thursday, June 20 | Doors at 6:00 p.m. | Game 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Galleries open until 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate Pride Month at the CMA with the return of Drag Bingo! Prizes for bingo winners as well as those dressed to impress on the Rainbow Runway. Hosted by drag queen extraordinaire Patti O’Furniture, featured on HBO’s We’re Here. Cash bar featuring art-forward cocktails and more. Single tickets: $35 / $28 for members. 4-top table: $140 / $112 for members. 6-top table: $210 / $168 for members.
Summer Camp: Painting My Roots
Saturday, June 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Teens explore themes of home and identity in featured exhibition (Un)settled: The Landscape in American Art. Then they research plant life indigenous to locations important to them and create personally meaningful works of art, including charcoal sketches and an acrylic painting. Ages 13 – 18. $200 / $160 for members.
Public Tour: Cornerstones of the Collection
Sunday, June 23 | 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. Admission is free for all SC residents through generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
Summer Camp: Fabricadabra!
Monday – Friday, June 24 – 28 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Campers explore fiber and textile arts through embroidery, dyeing, block-printing, and more as they learn how to transform fabric while taking inspiration from the galleries. Ages 4 – 6. $175 / $140 for members.
Summer Camp: Drawing
Monday – Friday, June 24 – 28 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Teens get inspired sketching inside and outside of the museum and learn time-tested techniques to make drawings come to life. Instruction explores the basics of 2D composition, including shading and perspective, figure drawing, and more, with media ranging from pencils to charcoal. Ages 13 – 18. $200 / $160 for members.
Summer Camp: In This World
Monday – Friday, June 24 – 28 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Campers explore how humans interact with places and spaces in the art world, taking inspiration from featured exhibition (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art. Mixed-media techniques in printmaking, collage, cyanotypes, and more bring campers’ visions to life in the studios. Ages 7 – 9. $200 / $160 for members.
Art Class: Clothing Mend Clinic
Tuesday, June 25 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
During the final weeks of Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit, come learn hand-sewing techniques to keep clothes in your closet and out of the textile waste stream. Participants learn a variety of clothing repair methods for damage such as missing buttons, popped seams, rips, and abrasion. All supplies and equipment are provided, but participants should bring a garment for guided repair. Ages 15 and up. Taught by vintage clothing repairer David Hicks. $50 / $40 for members.
David Hicks is a Columbia native and co-owner of Pannerpete Vintage. He dabbled in sewing throughout his early life, but his interest grew after taking up a more active role at Pannerpete, which was founded by his wife, Katie. At Pannerpete, Hicks is responsible for assessing and mending used clothing of varying ages before it is offered for sale. His other interests include transit equity and woodworking.
Stroller Tour: (Un)Settled
Wednesday, June 26 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Take a tour of new exhibition (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art 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. Admission is free for all SC residents through generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Registration required as space is limited.
Read With Art: Silent Book Club at the CMA
Thursday, June 27 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Silent Reading Hour 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Join Jemia Williams, avid reader and Columbia’s Silent Book Club official host, for an evening 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. Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
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