The Columbus Museum: Grand Reopening Celebration
After a year and a half of anticipation, The Columbus Museum is poised to reveal its freshly renovated main location on Wynnton Road. The museum, temporarily relocated during renovations, is gearing up for a grand reopening set to captivate visitors with thrilling additions and enhancements.
Founded in 1953, The Columbus Museum is one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Museum invites visitors to celebrate creativity and culture through the experience of American art, regional history, tranquil gardens, and more. As a destination for people of all ages and interests, the Museum has something for everyone – from the art enthusiast to the history buff, the nature lover to the leisure visitor – it’s free and it’s all in one space.
This renovation marks the museum's first major overhaul since 1989, signaling its dedication to preserving heritage while embracing modernity. Though the renovation didn't expand square footage, it prioritized maximizing existing space to ensure a more dynamic and engaging experience for patrons.
“This renovation will be a pivotal milestone for the future of The Columbus Museum. We wanted to capture the vibrancy, warmth, and fun of our organization while also embracing the distinct qualities that make us unique. The reimagined Columbus Museum will be more welcoming and interactive, a true cultural gathering place. ”
Renovation Renderings (Courtesy of the Columbus Museum)
As The Columbus Museum prepares to unveil its newly renovated main location on Wynnton Road, visitors can anticipate an exciting array of exhibitions and special loans that showcase diverse artistic expressions and cultural narratives:
1. Our Own Work, Our Own Way: Ascendant Women Artists in the Johnson Collection: Celebrates the achievements of 42 women artists from the 20th century with connections to the South. Featuring luminaries such as Elaine de Kooning, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Alma Thomas, this exhibition spans from the 1930s to the 1990s. Through their artwork, these pioneering artists challenged social conventions and invigorated modernism in the Southern region. (Alma Thomas, Blue ground stripe, acrylic and watercolor on paper, 1971.)
2. Crossroads: Chattahoochee Valley Blues and Folk Music: pays homage to local music legends of the 20th century, including Gertrude "Ma" Rainey and Darby & Tarlton, alongside lesser-known folk singers and rock bands. Through a blend of artifacts and digital content, this exhibition showcases recording technologies and instruments that shaped the rich musical heritage of the Chattahoochee Valley. (“Ma Rainey’s Dream Blues”/ “Lost Wandering Blues” record, 1924)
3. Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds & Cow Wallpaper, a special interactive installation, features "Silver Clouds" on loan from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. Visitors will be mesmerized by a room filled with floating pillow-shaped balloons, inflated with a proprietary mixture of air and pure helium. Enhancing the experience is Warhol's iconic Cow Wallpaper, the first in a series of designs that were never commercially available. (Andy Warhol, Cow Wallpaper, 1966, screen print on wallpaper, The Andy Warhol Museum)
4. A Decade of Drawings: offers a glimpse into The Columbus Museum's remarkable progress in expanding its collection of American drawings over the past ten years. Showcasing over 30 images across various media, this exhibition features portraits by John Singer Sargent and Burton Silverman, landscapes by Marsden Hartley and Frederick Hammersley, and figure studies by Benny Andrews and William Beckman. These drawings, most of which were generously gifted to the museum, provide a captivating insight into the diverse range of artistic styles and themes prevalent in American art. (John SInger Sargent, Lord Wavertree, Charcoal on paper, 1919)
These exhibitions and special loans promise to engage, inspire, and enrich the cultural experience of visitors, reaffirming the museum's commitment to celebrating art and heritage in all its forms.
Excitement peaked on Monday, Feb. 26, with the unveiling of the museum's revamped brand and logo. Featuring vibrant colors and the new moniker, COMU, this rebranding initiative aims to infuse warmth, vibrancy, and a sense of community into the museum's identity.
“We chose the nickname COMU as a term of endearment, reflecting our desire to foster familiarity and personal connection with our community. We chose the nickname COMU as a term of endearment, reflecting our desire to foster familiarity and personal connection with our community. ”
Accompanying the new brand is a refreshed website, set to launch alongside the grand reopening events scheduled for April and May. This digital upgrade promises visitors a seamless and immersive online experience, complementing the museum's physical offerings.
For visitors who frequents the Columbus Museum with family, the grand reopening signifies more than just a fresh start—it's a celebration of education, culture, and community. With great anticipation, community members eagerly await the unveiling of the museum's transformed space.
The Columbus Museum Recent Acquisitions
Monica Ikegwu, Chidera, oil on canvas, 2021
Winfred Rembert, Hamilton Ave, Dye on carved tooled leather, 2006
Renovations, initiated in October 2022, are nearing completion, with the museum entering its final stages of preparation. According to Kristen Hudson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, the finishing touches are underway, with a focus on reinstalling the museum's extensive collection in time for the gala on April 26th and the public reopening weekend on May 4th and 5th.
Throughout the renovation period, the museum remained engaged with the community through programs and events hosted at a temporary location. As visitors step into the newly renovated museum, they can anticipate a plethora of enhancements designed to elevate their experience.
Renovation Renderings (Courtesy of the Columbus Museum)
From a new grab-and-go café to a renovated shop, the museum's interior has been reimagined to foster connectivity and creativity. Natural light floods the space, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments, while a dedicated children's gallery and garden promise interactive exploration for young visitors.
To commemorate its revitalization, The Columbus Museum has curated a series of events culminating in a grand reopening extravaganza. From the elegant Reopening Gala on April 26th to the public festivities on May 4th and 5th, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Members can also anticipate exclusive events such as Member Family Day and Museum On Tour Passport Day, offering unique opportunities to engage with the museum's offerings.
As the countdown to the grand reopening progresses, anticipation surges within the Columbus community and beyond. Each day brings The Columbus Museum closer to realizing its vision of a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub—a place where history, art, and community converge to inspire and uplift all who enter its doors.
Below is a comprehensive schedule of all upcoming activities:
Reopening Gala on Friday, April 26th
(CURRENTLY SOLD OUT)
Members: $175 per person
Non-members: $225 per person
Visitors under the age of 35: $195
Can still join waitlist.
Public Grand Reopening
Saturday, May 4th: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 5th: 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Free to public
There will also be several events for members including.
Member Family Day: Sunday, April 28th, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum On Tour Passport Day: Wednesday, May 1st, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Member Preview Night: Thursday, May 2, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
