The Columbia Museum of Art opens a new year of programming by presenting a major exhibition featuring some of the most important artists of the 20th century and today.
REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art and its accompanying catalogue focus on work that reassembles and reconfigures prior sources from history and culture into new works of art. The 45 works in the show represent some of the most innovative and influential African-American artists including Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, and Romare Bearden, alongside contemporary superstars like Kehinde Wiley, Kara Walker, and Fahamu Pecou. Nine South Carolina artists are included such as Leo Twiggs, Michaela Pilar Brown, and Colin Quashie. This show is curated and organized by the CMA, which is its only venue.
The lively form of the works – paintings, sculpture, works on paper, video, and textiles – showcase diverse styles that explore the American experience. “In the face of our current divisive political climate, it is important to deconstruct the master narrative,” says Jonell Logan, independent curator specializing in contemporary American art and REMIX essayist. “REMIXprovides us that opportunity – to include more voices in the conversation of history, identity, and the image – and to provide a truer picture of what our world, our society looks like.”
The exhibition opens on Friday, February 5, and runs through May 3. The CMA is offering free admission to the exhibition during regular public hours on opening weekend (February 5 – 7), courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
REMIX Programs
Ongoing: February 5 – May 3
– Guided tours every Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
– TAP Multimedia Tour available on your own smart phone or on iPod Touch devices provided by the CMA.
– Thirty-minute “Spark Tours” every Friday at 2:00 p.m.
– We will also feature thematic Art Explorer Backpacks and baby guides that are tailored to the REMIX exhibition.
Evening for Educators with special guest REMIX Artist and Art Educator Willis “Bing” Davis
Wednesday, February 3 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This is a free event at the Columbia Museum of Art for all South Carolina educators. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet colleagues, enjoy light appetizers and libations, preview special exhibitions and upcoming programs, and enjoy gallery talks and creating works of art.Professional Development renewal credit forms available.
Willis “Bing” Davis is the founder and president of EbonNia Gallery and SHANGO: Center for the Study of African American Art & Culture, both located in Dayton, Ohio. Born in Greer, South Carolina, Bing has a master’s degree in education from Miami University. He has been an important artist, teacher, lecturer and community leader for over 50 years. In 1997, he received the Ohio Art Educator of the Year Award, and in 2010 he was given a major career retrospective at the Dayton Art Institute and the University of Dayton.
REMIX Lecture: Jonell Logan
Friday, February 5 | Noon
Jonell Logan, independent curator and consultant specializing in contemporary American art, speaks about the themes that shape modern and contemporary African-American art. Free with membership or admission.
Arts & Draughts
Friday, February 5 | 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Art, drink, and be happy! Enjoy tastings of Catawba Brewing’s White Zombie Ale from The Whig, live music, food trucks, REMIX-inspired art projects, DIY activities from Izms of Art, Richland Library, and What’s Next Midlands, plus photo booths, scavenger hunts, short films from the Nickelodeon’s past Indie Grits festivals, unique perspective tours by local artist and designer Dalvin Spann, remixed Shakespeare performances by Darion McCloud and NiA, and One Columbia with the Art-O-Mat. DJ Preach Jacobs provides the soundtrack for the evening. Presented by Cyberwoven. Sponsored by The Whig, WXRY, and Free Times. $9 / $5 for members or renew your membership that night and get in free.
Learn to Draw in a Day Workshop
Saturday, February 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Devote a day to drawing with master draughtswoman Mary Hendrix. Experiment with pencil, charcoal, conté crayon, and more as you examine the work of contemporary artists like Damond Howard and Whitfield Lovell in our REMIX exhibition and in the CMA collection. All materials included. $75 / $60 for members.
Printmaking REMIXED
Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 9, 11, 16, and 18 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Learn the finer points of printmaking in a four-night class that explores techniques like drypoint and incorporating gold leaf to create multimedia masterpieces with art educator Jimmy Hiller. These techniques date back to the days of Raphael and Rembrandt but are still being used by artists today. Explore the work of contemporary artists like Radcliffe Bailey and Kehinde Wiley featured in our REMIX exhibition and the CMA collection as you design, print, and assemble your own modern creations. All materials included. $250 / $200 for members.
Artist Salon: Damond Howard
Friday, February 12 | Noon
The artist salon series features gallery talks about a wide range of subjects, topics, and disciplines. These talks showcase the artwork on view at the CMA. In this salon, SC Artist Damond Howard discusses his work in REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art. Free with membership or admission. Sponsored in part through Leslie’s Legacy Fund.
Sweet on CMA
Saturday, February 13 | Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Come have a lovely time at the fourth annual Sweet on CMA family fun event. Get creative at art stations, play the valentine bean bag toss, take the “Young at Heart” tour, try the “Two of a Kind” gallery hunt, and make art-inspired valentines. And don’t miss Columbia Marionette Theatre’s performance of Anansi the Spider at noon and 2:00 p.m. Free. Sponsored by Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers. Free.
*ArtBreak: An Exploration of African-American Art on View with USC History Professor Dr. Bobby Donaldson
Tuesday, February 23 | Café at 10:30 a.m. | Lecture at 11:00 a.m.
ArtBreak is a program that looks at art through a different lens. A speaker, typically from outside the art world, gives insight into their worldview by sharing their interpretation of works of art at the CMA. Begin your morning at 10:30 with coffee and pastries, and then enjoy the program at 11:00. Free with membership or admission. Sponsored in part through Leslie’s Legacy Fund.
Gala 2016: In the Mix: From Vintage to Vogue
Saturday, March 5 | 7:00 p.m. – Midnight
The annual CMA Gala is a themed party that draws art lovers from across the Midlands. The 2016 Gala celebrates our major spring exhibition, REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art, in an evening filled with extraordinary cuisine, décor, and entertainment including Reggie Sullivan and His Music Machine, DJ Irv, and Life in Notes and Steps, original jazz and dance by Mark Rapp and Stephanie Wilkins. Tickets are $150 ($75 tax deductible).
Passport to Art: Mix It Up
Sunday, March 13 | Noon – 3:00 p.m.
This FREE drop-in studio program for families features thematic hands-on art projects and a family tour. Create, cut, and collage a masterpiece based on the artwork of Mickalene Thomas. Join us and get inspired at 1:00 p.m. with a tour of the galleries. Free.
*Lecture: Fahamu Pecou
Wednesday, March 16 | 6:00 p.m.
Fahamu Pecou, a popular artist featured in REMIX, presents an engaging lecture and answers questions about his works in which black masculinity, commercialism, and commodity are interwoven with hip hop theory. This talk gives visitors of all ages a chance to interact with the artist directly, just steps away from his incredible Rock.Well painting. The talk is followed by a book signing of the illustrated catalogue of the exhibition. $7 / $5 for members.
Gladys’ Gang: Lost and Found
Wednesday, April 6 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
What is a ‘found object’ anyway? We’ll delve into found objects – what they are and how can we use them in art. We’ll read stories and explore the REMIX exhibition, searching for found objects, and then create our own spring sculptures in the studios with recycled materials. Participants (ages 2-5) and their adult companions explore art through the introduction of elementary art terms such as color, line, shape and texture during the Gladys’ Gang series. This program includes story time and a creative studio activity related to the art exploration theme. Free with registration.
*Theatre of the Oppressed
(First) Thursday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m.
As a part of Columbia’s First Thursdays on Main, Shannon Ivey Jones leads an interactive storytelling performance that touches on issues raised in the REMIX exhibition. Free.
*Artist Salon: Leo Twiggs
Friday, April 8 | Noon
The artist salon series features gallery talks about a wide range of subjects, topics, and disciplines. These talks showcase the artwork on view at the CMA. This month, South Carolina Artist Leo Twiggs discusses his work in REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art. Free with admission or membership.
CMA Educator Workshop with REMIX Artist Damond Howard
Saturday, April 9 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Designed for small groups, in-depth educator workshops use the museum’s art collection and exhibitions to introduce new ways of thinking about the curriculum and to show innovative teaching approaches. Each educator receives an illustrated teacher packet and a certificate of participation. $30 includes lunch.
Tour and Tasting
Sunday, May 1 | 6:00 p.m.
$65 / $55 for members
Enjoy the exhibition, REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art, with a guided tour on the last weekend of the show. Doug Aylard from Vino Garage furthers your wine education with a selection of American wines alongside light appetizers.
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