Letter from the Director

Fall is bringing exciting developments to The Columbus Museum, as Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful continues through September 25, followed by the renovation and reimagining of the Museum at the end of October. We have many programs and events planned at the Museum that offer great variety during our final months in the Museum building, followed by exhibitions, educational programming, and special events that will be held offsite during construction.

We have had much positive feedback on Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful and Sand Unshaken: The Origin Story of Alma Thomas. Above everything, it is wonderful to see such interest in and appreciation of this artist. On September 22, the Museum is inviting our members and the community to celebrate Alma Thomas’s 131st birthday with us! We have a special evening planned that includes live musical performances, art activities, and, of course, birthday cake. This free event comes just before the end of this landmark exhibition, and I hope you’ll join us for it. We are also offering an exclusive bus tour of sites that were significant for Alma Thomas’s family during their years in Columbus, as we continue to celebrate her art and life.

From October 11 through October 16, during the last week we are open, we will offer “last look” programs. On October 14, I invite you to attend a luncheon for members where I’ll share the latest news about our renovations and the “Museum On Tour” exhibitions and programs for 2023. On Saturday, October 15, we will have the Last Look Fall Festival as part of the final week festivities. Our last day open to the public is October 16, and we have a tour planned that afternoon of The Meaning of Home. Then, in late October, please plan to join us for the official groundbreaking ceremony: more information to come soon.

We anticipate that construction and renovation of the Museum campus will continue for approximately 16 months. While the building is closed, we have many activities planned that we are looking forward to sharing with you. Our offices and the Museum Shop will relocate next door to 1327 Wynnton Road (the historic Scarbrough House), and we are planning a series of programs and events there. We are excited to take selections from the permanent collection to other locations in Columbus for “Museum On Tour” beginning in January 2023 at the Illges Gallery in the Corn Center for the Visual Arts at Columbus State University. More information about the “Museum On Tour” exhibitions is in this issue of The Muse. We look forward to partnering with community anchors, including the Illges Gallery and the Bo Bartlett Center at Columbus State University, the Do Good Fund, the Columbus Botanical Garden, and the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, and we thank them for extending their facilities to us.

Please save the date of December 5 for the annual Master Circle Dinner, which will be held offsite this year. We are delighted to have Bob Vardaman as chair of this year’s dinner!

The coming months will be busy as we enter our major renovation project. Thank you so much for your support and interest in the Museum. We are so grateful!