The Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) has exhibitions and programs that will appeal to Columbusites and visitors to the city over the holidays.
The focus of the permanent collection is late 19th and early 20th century American and European art, including works by Columbus artists George Bellows, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson and Elijah Pierce.
The special exhibitions currently on view all feature photography along with some paintings and video projections.
Two current exhibitions showcase photography by Ming Smith, who was raised in a racially divided Columbus neighborhood.
Survey of the Visual Arts:Canvasing the Midwest landscape with Rod Bouc
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Smith was the first woman member of the Kamoinge Workshop — a collective of Black photographers in New York City — and the first Black female photographer represented in a collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The CMA exhibition, “Ming Smith: Transcendence,” features photographs Smith began taking of her Columbus-area surroundings in the 1990s with some photos dating back to the 1970s.
The second exhibition, “Ming Smith: August Moon,” set in the Ross Wing, is a photographic homage to the people and places of August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” plays, taken in Pittsburgh.
The Ming Smith exhibitions are presented in conjunction with exhibitions at the Wexner Center for the Arts and The Gund gallery at Kenyon College. These exhibitions are currently open and will remain on view through Jan. 26.
The traveling exhibition, “Fragments of Epic Memory,” presents historical photographs documenting Caribbean liberation struggles in the aftermath of emancipation along with photography by contemporary Caribbean artists.
This group exhibition originated at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and was curated by Julie Crooks, curator of “Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora” at AGO. This exhibition is on view through Jan. 26.
Hungry? Stop in the Schokko Café for a light lunch or coffee and a cookie. While you are there, take a look at the cases of glass art and artifacts dating back to the early Common Era up to modern glass art from the “Permanent” collection.
Come and revisit the fabulous paintings from Medieval and Renaissance painters, the “Impressionists of the Sirak” collection and the wonder room for children to explore with their parents.
Cat ladies and other animal lovers will enjoy the exhibition “CATS!” It features cats in paintings on the main level. The paintings show off felines at their most enigmatic postures and cuddly poses from various artists and cultures.
For kids and kids at heart, the Lego exhibition shows a configuration of Legos representing ships, buildings, paintings from museum’s collections and even cityscapes.
From late September to June, CMA stays open late on Thursday evenings for CMA After Hours, with rotating happy hours, yoga and films for just $5. Family programming includes quarterly family days, baby-and-me tours and little adventure tours designed for children and their caregivers.
The Columbus Museum of Art is pleased to present “Prologue” in collaboration with The Pizzuti art museum located at 632 N. Park St. in the Short North, given to CMA in 2018.
“Prologue” is an exhibition open at The Pizzuti and inspired by the history of the Short North’s Park Street building, home of the “Ann and Ron Pizzuti” collection of art.
This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Ohio State University and is curated by Daniel Marcus, curator of collections and exhibitions at CMA.
The Park Street building is of historical significance, dating back to 1923, as the national headquarters of the Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT), a fraternal society providing insurance for traveling salespeople.
The new Gay + High:Inside the revitalization of Columbus’ hottest new (old) corner
The exhibition combines art and artifacts pertaining to the building and its history. The exhibition opens with a free launch party open to the public on Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Marcus and archivist Heather K. Calloway will lead a discussion about the art and history of the building, followed by a dance party with DJ Chris McKee and drinks provided by Watershed Distillery.
This event is the first in a series of performances, film screenings and discussions to be held at The Pizzuti. “Prologue” will be open through May 2025.
Amy Drake, M.A., M.S. MCM, is a Telly Award-winning filmmaker, playwright and actor. She can be reached at [email protected].