Van Gogh and His Inspirations
On view October 4, 2019, through January 12, 2020
Van Gogh and His Inspirations is an original exhibition organized by the CMA that brings the work of one of the most beloved artists in the world to Columbia, South Carolina, alongside a variety of handpicked paintings and drawings that shaped his vision. From 2001 to 2010, as Steven Naifeh and Greg Smith researched their New York Times bestseller Van Gogh: The Life, they built a collection of over 30 works by artists who influenced Van Gogh’s aesthetic thinking. These works join loans from 12 museums across the U.S. to explore the artistic evolution of Van Gogh through the lens of the artists who inspired him.
This exhibition also brings 12 paintings and drawings by Van Gogh, including an outstanding painting of flower fields from the National Gallery of Art, a sensitive painting of a peasant weaving from The Boston Museum of Fine Art, and the world-famous self-portrait from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Side by side with their inspirations, these works offer visitors a window into the mind of Van Gogh.
Presented by The Blanchard Family.
Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank
Sponsored by: Dr. Suzan D. Boyd & Mr. M. Edward Sellers, Hannah and Ron Rogers Mary and Clinch Belser, Jeffry Caswell and José Cotto, Jerry Dell and Benjamin Gimarc, Susan B. and C. Carroll Heyward, Joyce and George Hill, Mary and John Kessler, Dr. Carolyn Kressler-Greenberg and Dr. Stanley Greenberg, Governor and Mrs. James H. Hodges, Marcia and Allen Montgomery, Michel G. Moore, Sidney and Ben Rex, Myrtle T. Robinson, Kathy Schaffer Olson and Robbie Barnett, Susan Thorpe and John Baynes, Mr. & Mrs. Claude M. Walker, Jr., Brenda and Rick Wheeler, Grace Outdoor, Free Times, WXRY, Grantors: City of Columbia, Richland County, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
En Plein Air: Scenes of South Carolina
On view October 4, 2019, through January 12, 2020
Celebrating the tradition and style of plein air painting seen in Van Gogh and His Inspirations, this invitational exhibition features painters from across South Carolina whose work is as unique and diverse as the state’s landscape.
Seeing Through the Layers: Linocuts by Maryanna Williams
On view September 6 through December 29, 2019
Maryanna Williams’ imagery creates a dialogue between simple forms and intricate patterns. In her prints she has explored moths, jellyfish, and even Italian Renaissance portraits, each subject chosen for its inherent beauty, delicate patterning, and vibrant hues. Close up and filling the picture plane, her subjects shift between realism and abstraction, at times dissolving into facets of color and marks vibrating across surfaces. Williams’ work is not about scientific illustration or realism, but about transforming subjects from nature and art into images that express her deep passion for the intense beauty that she sees in the world.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
To purchase tickets or register for classes, visit columbiamuseum.org or call 803-799-2810.
Book a Tour and Save
Gather your 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.
School Tours
Student programs support classroom instruction and meet state standards by providing opportunities to engage with works of art and culture from around the world. Using visual thinking strategies, our docent-led tours encourage the use of 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and visual literacy while touching on the three key areas of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate: world class knowledge, and life and career characteristics. Hands-on art-making sessions focus on the creative process, introduction to different art materials and techniques, and encouragement of self-expression while connecting to ideas discussed during the tour. For more information, visit columbiamuseum.org/field-trips or contact us at 803-343-2163.
Van Gogh Field Trips for K-12 schools
Thanks to the generosity of Premier Programming Sponsor First Citizens Bank, field trip admission to Van Gogh and His Inspirations is free. CMA field trips engage students with art through a discussion-based approach that sparks curiosity, creating a personal connection that helps them retain information. School programs at the CMA are nationally recognized for their excellence in providing innovative cross-curricular learning experiences for all ages based on state and national standards. Field trip advanced registration is required as availability is limited.
Gallery Tour: Van Gogh and His Inspirations
Saturdays | 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, October 9 and 23 | 2:00 p.m.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most recognizable and sought-after artists today. But how did he become the artist we now know him to be? Experience Van Gogh and His Inspirations with insights from one of our trained docents as they provide context for the spheres Van Gogh traveled in, the artists he admired, and how those influences helped shape his signature style. Free with membership or Van Gogh admission.
Gallery Tour: CMA Collection Highlights
Each tour sheds light on the collection from a different angle. Free with membership or admission.
Gallery Tour: Carolina in the Collection
Sunday, October 6 and 27 | 1:00 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 Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Samuel Roberts, Osamu Kobayashi, and more.
Gallery Tour: Behind the Collection
Sunday, October 13 | 1:00 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.
Gallery Tour: Cornerstones of the Collection
Sunday, October 20 | 1:00 p.m.
From corner to corner, see key works in the collection from East to West and from ancient to modern. This tour includes gems by artists like Botticelli, Monet, and Warhol, along with the first piece ever purchased by the CMA.
Play on the Plaza
Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Come out and play on Boyd Plaza with the CMA! Join us every Saturday to build and create with our big blue blocks, perfect for guests of all ages and abilities. Try a design challenge or use your imagination to tap into your engineering ingenuity. This project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund and by a Connected Communities grant at Central Carolina Community Foundation. Free.
Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Winging It
Wednesday, October 2 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
From butterflies and bats to angels and airplanes, wings can be tiny or tremendous. Join us as we explore the similarities between these fantastical features before creating our own wings to fly away with. Key topic: flight.
This program is specially designed for 2- to 3-year old participants and their adult companions as a way to explore art through movement and play. It 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 on Main at the CMA
Thursday, October 3 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Come experience an evening filled with art! Catch a preview of the upcoming performance of Harlem South with the NiA Company at 6:30, take a Focal Points: Proud Perspectives tour with docent John Tomashek at 7, and check out Oktoberfest with The Whig on Boyd Plaza. Free admission all day courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
Focal Points: Proud Perspectives
Thursday, October 3 | 7:00 p.m.
Join docent John Tomashek as he takes a queer eye to the CMA collection and explores themes of sexuality and gender through art. This tour addresses some mature topics and is recommended for adults and teens accompanied by an adult. Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of staff and tour guides. Free admission courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
Getting to Know Van Gogh: A Lecture Series
Dive into the world of Van Gogh and His Inspirations in this lecture series featuring CMA staff and guest experts. Free with membership or Van Gogh admission. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank.
Getting to Know Van Gogh with Will South
Saturday, October 5 | 2:00 p.m.
Van Gogh is a famous example of artistic genius. It is widely believed that his abilities in painting were beyond the abilities of the average person — that he was special, different, gifted, a genius. CMA Chief Curator Will South looks at the many sources Van Gogh used to arrive at his unique and personal style, many of which are featured in the current exhibition, and provides an alternative to the idea of genius that widens our appreciation of one of art history’s most enduring legends.
Getting to Know Van Gogh with Steven Naifeh
Wednesday, October 16 | 6:00 p.m.
Van Gogh and His Inspirations builds on the scholarship of artists, collectors, and art historians Steven Naifeh and his late partner Gregory White Smith in their biography Van Gogh: The Life. Since its publication, the book has been widely praised and identified as “the definitive work” on the artist by the Van Gogh Museum. Join us for an evening celebrating the life and work of Van Gogh as Naifeh discusses the artist in concert with his predecessors and major influences. The lecture is followed by a book signing.
Baker & Baker presents: Jazz with Noel Freidline
Saturday, October 5 | Doors 6:30 p.m. | Concert 7:00 p.m.
Noel Freidline returns to the CMA with Columbia’s own Pete Neighbour, one of the most highly acclaimed jazz clarinetists in the world. He performs extensively all over the globe, bringing his own inimitable style of swing era jazz to every stage he graces. He performs so much globally that he almost never appears in his hometown. Meet in the Loft for an intimate club atmosphere featuring Neighbour and music director and pianist Freidline and his trio, along with special guests Jon Metzger on vibraphone and Andy Page on guitar.
The Baker & Baker series is devoted to highlighting diverse musical performances, ranging from Baroque music with harpsichords to avant-garde music played with nontraditional materials, and showcases musical excellence in its many forms. Sponsored by: Nancy and Richard Layman; Barbara B. Boyd; Howard Gilman Foundation; Susan Thorpe and John Baynes; Becky and Earl Ellis; Bonnie and Harry Goldberg; and Wholistic Therapy & Coaching Center of the Midlands. Four-person tables (includes one bottle of wine): $200 / $160 for members. Limited individual tickets: $35 / $28 for members / $5 for students.
Mrudani School of Performing Arts presents The Classical Arts of India
Sunday, October 6 | 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a formal performance in the CMA Theater that includes Indian classical dance, known as Bharatanatyam, by Anuradha Murali and company, followed by a presentation of Indian classical flute in the Carnatic style of South India performed by Shantala Subramanyam and troupe, visiting artists from Chennai, India. Free with membership or admission.
Evening for Educators
Wednesday, October 9 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Educators from across the state are invited to join the CMA for an evening of art, wine, and nibbles as they enjoy a private look at new exhibitions. Chief Curator Will South gives a talk on Van Gogh and his place in history before a viewing of Van Gogh and His Inspirations. Educators are invited to explore the exhibition galleries, learn about new tours, and try out lesson plan materials focusing on Van Gogh and His Inspirations. Attendees receive documentation for professional development renewal credit. Free. Registration required as space is limited. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank.
Members’ Party for Van Gogh and His Inspirations
Thursday, October 10 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Come celebrate Van Gogh and His Inspirations, presented by The Blanchard Family, with exhibition overviews from Chief Curator Will South at 6:15 and 7:15. Valet parking available. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank. RSVP by Saturday, September 24, to 803-799-2810 or www.columbiamuseum.org.
Art Class: Plein Air Oil Painting
Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 27 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In this four-hour class, students create their own Impressionistic painting inspired by Van Gogh and His Inspirations and the outside studio setting of Boyd Plaza. Taught by local artist and About Face founder David Phillips. Ages 15 and up. All materials and equipment provided. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank. $70 / $56 for members. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank.
Stop-In Studios
Saturday, October 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Come enjoy Stop-In Studios, a creative drop-in for all ages held on the second Saturday of every month. This month, we’re creating prints based on works in Seeing Through the Layers: Linocuts by Maryanna Williams. Free with membership or admission.
Self-Care Sunday
Sunday, October 13 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and restorative Sunday on Boyd Plaza with mindful movement and yoga sessions beginning every half hour from 10:00 to 11:30. At 1:00, join Docent Bauer Westeren for The Art of Balance, exploring light and dark, chaos and calm, and decadence and austerity in the artwork on Boyd Plaza and in public spaces. Stroll an open-air market featuring Soak and Soy and more, with food and beverages available from vendors such as Lil Duck Kombucha. Free. This project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund and by a Connected Communities grant at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
The Write Around Series: Michele Reese and Curtis Derrick
Sunday, October 13 | 3:00 p.m.
Join poets Michele Reese and Curtis Derrick as they share new work inspired by the dynamic themes of the CMA collection galleries. Reese is a poet and a professor at UofSC Sumter, and Derrick teaches at Midlands Technical College and is a member of the board of the Poetry Society of South Carolina. The Write Around Series features poetry and prose inspired by art on view in the museum. Free with membership or admission.
Focal Points: Temas en la Colección
Martes 15 de octubre | 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15 | 2:00 p.m.
Celebre el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana con una plática bilingüe dirigido por la docente Maureen Randall que explica la instalación temática en las galerías del museo de arte de Columbia. “Focal Points” es una serie que presenta temas especiales y diferente a el gusto de nuestros guías y empleados. Gratis con membresía o admisión.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with a bilingual tour led by Docent Maureen Randall that covers the themes in the museum’s collection galleries. Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of staff and tour guides. Free with membership or admission.
Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Winging It
Wednesday, October 16 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
From butterflies and bats to angels and airplanes, wings can be tiny or tremendous. Join us as we explore the similarities (and symmetry) among these fantastical features before creating our own wings to fly away with. Key topic: flight.
This program is specially designed for 4- to 5-year old participants and their adult companions as a way to explore art through play and inquiry. It 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 as space is limited.
CMA Contemporaries present Beer and Brats on Boyd
Thursday, October 17 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Come celebrate Oktoberfest with the Contemporaries! Enjoy live German tunes from Die Lustigen Musikanten (The Happy Musicians), cuisine from The Wurst Wagen, beer, and the opportunity to experience Van Gogh and His Inspirations. Apply your ticket price to a membership to the Contemporaries and the museum. $20 / $15 for Contemporaries members. Sponsored by S.C. Asset Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and Free Times.
Art Class: Paper Lanterns
Saturday, October 19 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Light up your life! Make and decorate a paper lantern in honor of Diwali. Taught by local Indian folk artist and educator Jugnu Verma. All supplies provided. Ages 10 and up. $20.
Focal Points: Brush with Death
Saturday, October 19 | 2:00 p.m.
What better time than October to focus on all things macabre and morbid? Join Docent Alexandra Fleury for a tour that touches on how the notion of death informs art throughout the CMA collection, from morality to mortality. Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of staff and tour guides. Free with membership or admission.
Plaza Rhythms: Indian Classical Dance
Saturday, October 19 | 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Anuradha Murali, artistic director of Mrudani School of Performing Arts, demonstrates the nuances of two different styles of Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. The lecture/demonstration focuses on the techniques specific to each style. Audience participation encouraged. Free.
Dr. Murali has had formal training in Bharatanatyam from Radha Srinivassan, Shanta and VP Dhananjayan, and Adyar K. Lakshman. As an adjunct professor of dance, Anuradha has taught Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi at Columbia College. As an instructor of dance, she has taught Bharatanatyam at the University of South Carolina Department of Dance.
This project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund and by a Connected Communities grant at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
Harlem South: A View Through the Lens
Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 | Doors 6:30 p.m. | Concert 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 | 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a multimedia performance of historical fiction chronicling the dynamics of African American life in Columbia, South Carolina, between 1920 and 1936 through the photography of Richard Samuel Roberts. Harlem South features acclaimed jazz musician Dr. Ron McCurdy in collaboration with Darion McCloud of NiA Company and the University of South Carolina School of Music. $35 / $28 for members / $5 for students. Includes admission to CMA collection.
An Evening with the Curator
Monday, October 21 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Join Chief Curator Will South for an exclusive after-hours tour through Van Gogh and His Inspirations. Get up close and personal with the exhibition in a small group setting and gain invaluable insights from the curator responsible for the exhibition. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank. Members only. $50.
Diwali Kick-Off Party
Thursday, October 24 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Celebrate the Indian festival of lights on Boyd Plaza. Come early for a guided tour on the subject of light in the CMA collection galleries at 6:00. DJ Lalit will spin Bollywood and bhangra tunes, so throw on some colorful clothes and get ready to move with a tutorial at 6:30. Get a stylized henna tattoo from a local mehndi artist, create a traditional rangoli design with colored powder, test your luck in a game of teen patti, and paint your own diya (clay light). Try some samosas, mango lassis, pakoras, and other bites from the 2Gingers pop-up snack shop, and stop by UofSC’s Indian Student Organization table to learn more about the meaning behind the holiday and write your name in various Indian languages. CMA collection galleries are open from 6:00 – 7:00. Free. This project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund and by a Connected Communities grant at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
Focal Points: In the Cards
Sunday, October 27 | 2:00 p.m.
As spirits rise for All Hallows Eve, it’s a good time to invite their wisdom. Using the arcane secrets of the Tarot, docent and seeker John Tomashek guides you on an exploration of mysticism in art. It’s all in the cards — and in the galleries! Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of staff and tour guides. Free with membership or admission.
Artbreak: Van Gogh to the Countryside
Tuesday, October 29 | 11:00 a.m.
University of South Carolina history professor Carol Harrison leads the discussion on how 19th-century French artists idealized rural society just as industrialization was transforming the French countryside. The painters Van Gogh studied commemorated this world and shaped his responses to modernization. Begin the morning at the museum at 10:30 a.m. with pastries and coffee sold at a pop-up café from Curiosity Coffee Bar. Program starts at 11:00 a.m.
ArtBreak is a program that looks at art through a different lens. Each session features a speaker who gives insight into their worldview by sharing their interpretation of works of art at the CMA. Free with membership or Van Gogh admission. Premier Programming Sponsor: First Citizens Bank.
Focal Points: Please Be Seated
Tuesday, October 29 | 2:00 p.m.
Docent Linda Reardon takes a closer look at how seating figures into the galleries — whether in formal seated portraits or industrially designed chairs. Focal Points is a series of gallery talks featuring topics and themes near and dear to the hearts of staff and tour guides. Free with membership or admission.
Boyd Plaza Sonatas with The South Carolina Philharmonic
Tuesdays, October 29 and November 19 | 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Music starts at 6:00 p.m.
The South Carolina Philharmonic returns for a second two-part concert series on Boyd Plaza. The SC Phil mixed-strings ensemble performs three 45-minute sets of classical favorites and some pieces possibly new to you. Featuring an exciting selection of small plates for sale by Bone-In Barbeque and a cash bar with wine spritzers and local craft beer by The Whig. Free. This project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund and by a Connected Communities grant at Central Carolina Community Foundation.
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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 Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina. In order to serve even more audiences, the CMA recently 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, an entrance on Main Street, and a revamped CMA shop. Overall, more than 15,000 square feet of functional space were added to the building’s existing footprint. To learn more, visit www.columbiamuseum.org.
