Feb 16, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2015
Media Contact:
Mercedes Parham
Marketing and Media Manager
The Columbus Museum
mparham@columbusmuseum.com
706.748.2562 ext. 540
SPECIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & EVENTS
February 2015
Thursday, February 19 | 6-8 P.M. | FREE
Third Thursday: The Extraordinary Contraptions
Join us for some steampunk-inspired music. Enjoy a rollicking introduction on guitar, keyboard, accordion, upright bass, and improvised drums from a patent-medicine mad, an accidental time traveler, a gentleman explorer, and his mad inventor brother. During the musical break, explore the contraptions and gadgets in the Memory’s Cabinets exhibition. Refreshments will be served. Contact: edu@columbusmuseum.com.
Friday, February 20 | NOON-1 P.M. | FREE
Lunch and Lecture: India Unveiled: Spirit, Tradition, People
Speaker: Robert Arnett
Nationally recognized speaker Robert Arnett will present based on internationally acclaimed photography from his book, India Unveiled: Spirit, Tradition, People. He will discuss the diversity of India, its culture, customs, the sacred sites of all major religions, art and architecture, and other remote sites seldom visited by travelers. Lunch and Lecture programs are free and no reservation is required. If you are interested in purchasing a $10 lunch, please order by Monday, February 16. Contact: edu@columbusmuseum.com.
Saturday, February 21 | 10 A.M.- NOON
Camp Museum: A Surreal Good Time
Instructor: Inge Winters
Encourage your child to delve into the human subconscious through art making. We will explore Surrealist art in the Museum’s permanent collection before making our own Surrealist inspired work. Campers will play art games, create surrealist landscapes and have a surreal good time! For ages 5-7; Registration deadline: February 19; $20 Members/ $30 Future Members. Contact:edu@columbusmuseum.com.
Tuesday, February 24 | 6-8 P.M. |FREE
Young Art Patrons (YAP) Kickoff Celebration
Enjoy an evening with your fellow art enthusiasts as we review the past year and reveal our plans for 2015. The Young Art Patrons (formerly The Contemporaries) will reveal a new brand, mission, explore the galleries through an interactive scavenger hunt, and meet the Museum’s new Director, Marianne Richter. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.
RSVP to Laura Narr; lnarr@columbusmuseum.com; 706.748.2562 ext. 544.
Saturday, February 28 | 1-5 P.M.
Steampunk Jewelry Class
Instructor: Leslie Shirah
Join us for an exciting day of creating handmade jewelry. Explore various jewelry techniques using items inspired by the Memory’s Cabinet exhibit. Learn how to make your own paper pendants to produce unique and beautiful designs. Deadline to register: February 26; $35 Members/ $45 Future Members. Contact: edu@columbusmuseum.com.
MARCH 2015
Thursday, March 5 | 6:30-8 P.M. | FREE
Spencer Environmental Lecture Series
An Evening with Janisse Ray: Reflections on the Longleaf Pine
Presenter: Janisse Ray, writer, naturalist and activist
Program presented by the Spencer Environmental Center organizations: The Chattahoochee Fall Line Conservation Partnership, Trees Columbus, The Nature Conservancy, Chattahoochee RiverWarden, Coalition for Sound Growth and Chattahoochee Valley Land Trust in collaboration with the Columbus Museum
Historically, the regal longleaf pine grew from Virginia to Texas covering 90 million acres across the South. Currently, only about four percent of this imperiled ecosystem still exists. Today, many dedicated conservationists are working in the Chattahoochee Valley and across the South to help restore this glorious and biologically diverse forest. Enjoy an evening with writer, Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood. Her award-winning book is a vivid memoir which describes growing up in a junkyard among the vanishing longleaf pine ecosystem and eloquently tells her story interwoven with the story of the longleaf pine forest she so adores.
Contact: (706)649-2326, info@CFLCP.org
Wednesday, March 11 | Noon-1 P.M. | FREE
Lunch & Lecture: Ma Rainey-A Columbus Native’s Impact on the Development of Jazz
Presenter: Dr. Kevin Whalen, Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Music, Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University
While it is clear to many that jazz is an original and uniquely American art form, it is less known how African and European cultural influences collided in the southern United States to form this new music. Ma Rainey became one of classic blues' biggest stars, and her voice not only helped shape this music, but the direction of jazz. Learn about her influence on this genre of music. Optional $10 lunches are available for pre-order through Monday, March 9. Contact: edu@columbusmuseum.com.
Saturday, March 14 | 10 A.M.-Noon | FREE
Second Saturday
Drop by the Art Cart this month and explore by architecture. Enjoy activities inspired by two of the first female architects in Columbus, Henrietta Dozier and Ellamae Ellis League; use a variety of art materials to create and design your own dream home. After you have completed your creation, go on a gallery hunt in the Troublemakers and Trailblazers exhibit to learn more about the architects and other notable Chattahoochee Valley residents. Story time: 11 A.M., Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
Thursday, March 19 | 6-8 P.M. | FREE
Third Thursday: And All that Jazz with the Columbus State University Jazz Ensemble
Experience music from the Jazz age provided by Professor Kevin Whalen and the CSU Jazz Ensemble. During the musical break, join us on a gallery walk of the Troublemakers and Trailblazers exhibit, as well as explore objects from the Museum’s permanent collection from the era.
Sunday, March 22 | 1-5 P.M. | FREE
Chattahoochee Cookin’ Exhibit Opens
In any discussion of American food, the South’s brand of home cooking rises to the top as a regionally distinctive tradition, and certainly one of the tastiest. The Chattahoochee Valley has its own proud culinary heritage, which forms the basis of Chattahoochee Cookin’. This exhibition will spotlight local foodways from the perspective of both food producers and consumers, ranging from historic Muscogee (Creek) sofke to contemporary Dinglewood scrambled dogs.
Pecans, peanuts, corn, and other crops will be discussed, as well as more sugary delights. The exhibition will also spotlight local beverages, with cola drinks featured alongside locally distilled liquor. Technological innovations and agricultural implements designed by local residents will be examined, as well as the role of local restaurateurs who produce Columbus culinary specialties. Murals painted for the Georgia Department of Agriculture building in 1956 will depict the changing nature of agriculture and how we think about the producers who feed us.
Monday, March 23-Tuesday, March 24 for ages 5-7
Wednesday, March 25-Thursday, March 26 for ages 8-10
9 A.M.-4P.M.
Spring Break Camp: Art and Acting
Instructors: Kirsten Dunn and Shani Dowdell
Join the Columbus Museum and the Liberty Theatre as we partner for this fun two-day camp. Your child will spend the first day of camp at the Museum, where they will explore two exhibits: Memory’s Cabinets and Troublemakers and Trailblazers through interactive tours and hands-on art activities. The second day of camp will be spent at the Liberty Theatre where campers will spend the day transforming into characters from the exhibits through physical transformations including hair, costume, and makeup. Each camper should bring his/her own lunch to camp.
Register by March 19; $50 Member/$60 Future Member. Contact: edu@columbusmuseum.com.
Tuesday, March 24 | Noon-1:30 P.M.
Ireland and America: Cultural and Architectural Connections in the 18th Century
Presenter: Robert O’Byrne
This program is held in collaboration with Historic Columbus
Ireland and America have cultural and architectural connections dating back hundreds of years, and in his entertaining and informative talk, the Irish Georgian Society’s Vice-President Robert O’Byrne will explore some of the earliest and most enduring links between our two countries.
Deadline to Register: March 17, 2015; $45 (includes lunch). To register, please contact Historic Columbus, 706.322.0756.
Tuesday, March 31 |6-8 P.M. |FREE
Members’ Opening: Chattahoochee Cookin’ + Troublemakers and Trailblazers
Join us for an evening celebration of the Columbus Museum’s new exhibitions Chattahoochee Cookin’ and Troublemakers and Trailblazers. During this event, the Museum will host a roundtable discussion about local and regional agriculture as highlighted in Chattahoochee Cookin’ exhibit moderated by the Museum’s Curator of History, Rebecca Bush. Panelists include Chris Jackson, Jenny Jack Farm; Mike Buckner, Fielder’s Grist Mill; and David Bancroft, Executive Chef, The Acre restaurant. A reception will follow with gallery walks of both exhibitions.
RSVP by March 24 to Laura Narr, lnarr@columbusmuseum.com, 706.748.2562 ext. 544.
ONGOING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Youth Community Group Programs
Boys & Girls Club and Scout groups are invited to participate in special group tours and hands-on art making projects at the Museum. Group leaders are encouraged to contact the Museum to plan customized programs designed for earning badges, building skills, or just an exciting after school activity the Museum can provide the perfect opportunity for your group. Registration and a refundable deposit are required; for more information and participation fee information contact the Education Department at edu@columbusmuseum.com.
EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
Valley Painters: Works from the Permanent Collection
On View through March 8, 2015
Yarbrough Gallery
For over 60 years, the Columbus Museum has been assembling a collection of notable art by both national and regional artists. This exhibition highlights works from the collection by some of the best-known artists, both past and present, who have lived and worked in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Beyond the Grid/Into the Sublime – A New View of Minimalism
On View through May 2015
Leebern Gallery
On view in this gallery is a special installation by Sol LeWitt, an early pioneer of Minimalism. Also on display are works from the Museum’s permanent collection by Susan York and Marietta Hoferer. These Post-Minimalist contemporary artists explore and redefine a Minimalist approach in their work. The Columbus Museum’s display is in partnership with the Norman Shannon and Emmy Lou P. Illges Gallery at Columbus State University, which presented Beyond the Grid/Into the Sublime – A New View of Minimalism in the fall of 2014.
Memory’s Cabinets: An Exhibition of Fascinating Gadgets from the Vault of the Museum
On View through June 7, 2015
Galleria Cases
The exhibit displays unusual and seldom-seen gadgets, contraptions, and machines from the Museum’s permanent collection in grouped cabinets of wonder based on themes of people who might have used them. Memory’s Cabinets also provides opportunities for visitors to create their own stories about the objects, which will be featured on labels that change throughout the run of the show.
Troublemakers and Trailblazers
On view through February 7, 2016
Legacy Gallery
This exhibition presents the more colorful characters of the Chattahoochee Valley, people who were criticized or ostracized for being outside the mainstream or going against dominant power structures. Race, class, gender, and sexuality will be topics of discussion, as well as what it means to “do the right thing”. And overarching theme includes how we perceive trouble and now these troublemakers are sometimes, but not always, seen differently through the long lens of history. Featured individuals include author Carson McCullers, musician Ma Rainey, anti-corruption lawyer Albert Patterson, Civil Rights activist Dr. Thomas Brewer, suffragette H. Augusta Howard, and journalists Julian and Julia Harris. Millworkers on strike, the Nancy Harts all-women militia in LaGrange, groundbreaking female architects, and local Unionists during the Civil War will also be highlighted.
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