THE
The Columbus Museum Quarterly Magazine
Fall 2026
The Columbus Museum invites you to celebrate creativity and culture through the experience of American art, regional history, tranquil gardens, and more. As a destination for people of all interests and ages, 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.
THE COLUMBUS MUSEUM: 1251 Wynnton Road Columbus, GA 31906 706.748.2562 comuga.org
MUSEUM HOURS: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Closed 10 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 8 PM 10 AM – 5 PM 10 AM – 5 PM 1 PM – 5 PM
MUSEUM SHOP HOURS: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Closed 10 AM – 4:30 PM 10 AM – 4:30 PM 10 AM – 7:30 PM 10 AM – 4:30 PM 10 AM – 4:30 PM 1 PM – 4:30 PM
ON THE COVER: Coulter Fussell, Graft and Stealth, 2021, Donated materials, including quilt top, printed blanket, fluorescent ribbon, chiffon, summer dress from the 1910s, polyester suit, souvenir pillow and a paratroopers T-shirt from Fort Benning, and thread. Courtesy of the artist
2 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
Letter from the Director I’ve often wondered whether there is something in the water that makes Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley such fertile ground for creativity. Again and again, artists with roots in our community achieve distinction on regional, national, and even international stages. Their accomplishments remind us that the arts are not simply something we enjoy here. They are part of who we are. In this issue of The Muse, we are pleased to share that the Museum has acquired another work related to Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, the legendary “Mother of the Blues.” Rainey’s enduring influence is just one example of the remarkable artistic legacy that continues to shape our region and has been especially visible recently. Amy Sherald’s major retrospective, finishing its national tour at the High Museum of Art this month, has been enormously popular, while Allen Levi’s Theo of Golden has enjoyed extraordinary success with readers across the country. It is gratifying to see artists connected to our community reach new audiences and receive the recognition they deserve. This fall, The Columbus Museum will celebrate another artist whose work has earned national acclaim. Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground, organized by the Mississippi Museum of Art and supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, is the artist’s first major museum retrospective. Recent recognition from ARTnews and The New York Times underscores the growing significance of her work. We are especially proud to welcome her home to Columbus for this exhibition. Many of you will know Coulter as part of a family deeply connected to the arts in Columbus through her parents, former COMU curator Fred Fussell and collection fiber artist Cathy Fussell. We will have member preview days in September, followed by a community homecoming celebration, and an appearance by the artist as part of our Lifelong Learners Series. Our fall exhibition season also includes We Are Carver, featuring photographs by Jessica Ingram that document George Washington Carver High School
students who participated in JROTC. Ingram engaged with Carver’s student cadets over a six-year period, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and uncertainty as the students made the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The compelling images in this exhibition are the result of this extended collaboration. Her book of the same title received significant recognition, including being shortlisted for the 2024 Paris Photo--Aperture Photobook Award, Best Photobook of the Year category. The season offers many opportunities to connect with art and one another. Whether through mindful-looking experiences in the galleries, family movie night, creative workshops, or our new well-being-focused “Renew at COMU” series, we hope visitors of all ages will find meaningful ways to engage with the Museum. We also look forward to gathering with friends and supporters at special events throughout the fall, including The Grand Heist: A Roaring Twenties Whodunit Party. None of this could happen without the generosity and enthusiasm of our members. Your support makes it possible for The Columbus Museum to collect works connected to our region’s history, present nationally recognized exhibitions, and create opportunities for learning and connection. Whether it is something in the water or simply the creative spirit of the people who call this region home, Columbus continues to demonstrate the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and enrich our lives. I look forward to seeing you at the Museum this fall.
New On View Sept. 12, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground An airbrushed T-shirt from the Tupelo mall. Beaver tails. The scarlet petticoat of a Carolina clogger’s skirt. These are some of the eclectic materials that have appeared at the doorstep of artist Coulter Fussell’s studio at 211 North Main Street in Water Valley, a small town in north Mississippi’s hill country. In what she calls “an exercise of archaeology,” Fussell (b. 1977, Columbus) sifts through this trove of discarded textiles and other cultural artifacts donated by a word-of-mouth network of friends, family, and neighbors. Each scrap is a relic of bygone trends and a record of personal experience: “It’s been lived in, loved on, cast off; it has a history you can see and feel,” she explains. Using quilting, dollmaking, and upholstery techniques passed down through the women in her family, Fussell collages these raw materials into layered landscapes of the US South. Many of her works reference specific Southern terrains like the Lower Chattahoochee River Valley, the salt marshes of the South Carolina low country, or Poverty Point, a Louisiana site of ancient earth mounds. Others map out internal geographies, which foreground dreams, fantasies, memories, and places further afield. Surveying five major series of “quilt-works” Fussell has produced since 2020, this exhibition stages the proving ground—or space of experimentation—on which she has developed her early practice. The Columbus Museum is pleased to support this Columbus-born artist by hosting her first largescale, museum-organized, traveling exhibition.
RELATED PROGRAMING September 10 & 11
Member Preview Days FREE to Members September 12
Coulter Fussell Homecoming Celebration 3 – 7 PM // FREE October 20
Lifelong Learners: Coulter Fussell 12:15 PM // FREE
Images: 1. Coulter Fussell, Heart Eyes, 2024. Donated materials including “I Survived” hurricane T-shirts, baby blanket, polyester pants, money bag, quilt sashing, fluorescent mesh, stuffed hearts, and thread on panel, Courtesy of the artist // 2. Coulter Fussell, Peachtree Mall, 2025. Cellphone video screenshot printed on chiffon, and donated and inherited materials, including old circus poster on cardboard, polyester, oil painting by Mike Howard, velvet, lamé, eyelet trim, Poly-fil, and thread on panel, Courtesy of the artist
2
Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground is organized by the Mississippi Museum of Art. The exhibition is curated by Kaegan Sparks, Associate Curator of Exhibitions, Mississippi Museum of Art. Major support is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Local support is provided by the W.C. Bradley Co., Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance, Georgia Council for the Arts, and The Hardaway Fund. 1
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 3
New On View Oct. 10, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027
3
1
2
Jessica Ingram: We Are Carver Acclaimed photographer Jessica Ingram invites visitors into George Washington Carver High School in Columbus, a historic school that opened in 1954 and has long served the city’s African American community. Located just miles from Fort Benning, one of the nation’s largest military installations, the school became the focus of Ingram’s six-year documentary project from 2013 to 2019. During this time, she immersed herself in the daily life of the school, concentrating on its Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program as students navigated identity, leadership, service, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood against a changing political landscape. Through intimate portraits, candid conversations, classroom ephemera, and personal reflections, We Are Carver captures the hopes, fears, resilience, and determination of a generation on the cusp of shaping its future. As the United States reflects on its 250th anniversary, the exhibition invites visitors to consider how each generation contributes to a future shaped by compassion, equity, and justice. Jessica Ingram was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and earned a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MFA from the California College of the Arts. Her work explores social change and opposition within American culture—particularly in the South—through photography, storytelling, archival materials, and visual media. Ingram’s photo4 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
graphs have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Le Monde, and NPR. Her debut book, Road Through Midnight: A Civil Rights Memorial (UNC Press, 2020), was named one of The New York Times’ Best Art Books of the Year. Her second publication, We Are Carver (2023), was shortlisted for the 2024 Paris Photo--Aperture Photobook Award, Best Photobook of the Year category. Beyond her artistic practice, Ingram is an advocate for youth involved in the juvenile justice system in her hometown of Nashville. Images: 1. Jessica Ingram, Cadet Creed, 2016, archival inkjet print // 2. Jessica Ingram, Dequazman (detail), 2016, archival inkjet print // 3. Jessica Ingram, Making Rank, 2013, archival inkjet print // All images copyright Jessica Ingram 2026.
RELATED PROGRAMING October 15
We Are Carver Panel Discussion & Reception 5:30 – 7:30 PM // FREE
New Acquisition Fall 2026
American Art + Disability “I can see trees in my mind and talk with them. It’s blue and it’s ok. When I paint I feel good because it’s my job, and I am proud of it. I think people enjoy and think my painting is good.” – King Nobuyoshi Godwin
Artists with disabilities have always been part of American history. For example, during the early years of the United States, John Brewster, Jr. was one of the country’s most successful traveling portraitists—and just happened to be unable to hear or speak. The biographical accounts of well-known artists, like the American impressionist Mary Cassatt, have traditionally downplayed disability and its consequences. Drawing attention to disability offers a fuller picture of an artist’s life. It may also help explain certain events or choices that otherwise remain mysterious and unexamined. How disability affects access and inclusion in the art world unquestioningly impacts an artist’s status, relationships, and reputation. Earlier this year, the Museum’s Alma Thomas Society voted to acquire King Nobuyoshi Godwin’s painting, The Leopard is having a perfect day because it’s with the animal friends, 2025. Currently based in Durham, North Carolina,
Godwin began painting at age 22 and considers himself a working professional artist—who also happens to fall on the neurodiversity spectrum. He lives independently near relatives and supplements his income with sales from the studio. Godwin frequently depicts animals and plants, which he then covers in a dense pattern of numbers. Titles are descriptive and reflect the artist’s mood while working. Godwin’s paintings have appeared in Raw Vision Magazine, the only international journal dedicated to outlier artists, and at the prestigious Outsider Art Fair in New York. The painter is a staunch advocate for neurodiversity; his artist statement reads, in part,
“I have autism. Being autistic is ok. … When I paint, I feel good because it’s my job, and I am proud of it.” COMU is only the second museum to acquire the work of this talented emerging artist. The painting is now on view in the Museum’s Hardaway Gallery, where it is featured in an installation dedicated to American Art + Disability. Images: 1. King Nobuyoshi Godwin (left) with family at COMU 2. King Nobuyoshi Godwin, The Leopard is having a perfect day because it’s with the animal friends, 2025, acrylic on canvas, The Fund for African American Art, through the Alma Thomas Society, The Columbus Museum G.2026.9
2
1
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 5
New Acquisition Fall 2026
The Paramount Book of Blues The recording career of blues singer and Columbus native Gertrude “Ma” Rainey began with an unlikely company. The Wisconsin Chair Company founded Paramount Records (unrelated to the film company) in 1918 to support its manufacturing of wooden phonograph cabinets. Operating on a shoestring budget, Paramount’s series of “race records” featuring Black performers fueled the company’s success throughout the 1920s. Without financial or distribution resources to compete with larger companies, Paramount’s marketing team sought novel ways to promote its records. “Ma Rainey’s Mystery Record,” which can be found in COMU’s collection, invited listeners to name Rainey’s newest song with a first prize of a console phonograph in mahogany or walnut. Though little is known about it, “The Paramount Book of Blues” appears to have been another low-cost promotional effort. The 40-page book of sheet music, accompanied by photos and short biographies of Paramount recording artists, includes popular singers such as Rainey, Ida Cox, and Blind Lemon Jefferson. There
is no price printed on the booklet, suggesting it was an advertising freebie given to record stores to pass out to customers. They may have even been given out as part of a special Paramount promotional campaign in 1927 or 1928. The Great Depression eventually drove the company out of business, and it sold most of its master recordings as scrap metal, a relatively common practice among defunct record companies at the time. John Steiner, a mid-century chemist by trade, pursued his interest in jazz and blues in several ways while living in Chicago, including purchasing the rights to Paramount Records recordings in 1949. He found one copy of “The Paramount Book of Blues” in the company’s files and periodically did small runs of reprints to share with other collectors before his death in 2000. Since the copy Steiner found was missing pages 33 and 34, he substituted two period-appropriate songs and left those pages unnumbered, making it easy to distinguish an original from a Steiner reprint. COMU’s copy can be confirmed as a 1927 edition, making it an especially rare find.
Images: The Paramount Book of Blues, 1927, The Gladys Dudley History Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2025.50
6 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
Museum News
Gift Shop & Garden Café News The COMU Shop had a busy summer, welcoming visitors with seasonal promotions including our Classic Finds for Dad Sale, Annual Sale, Christmas in July, and Summer Send-Off Sale. Every purchase made in the Shop supports The Columbus Museum’s mission, helping us provide free admission, exhibitions, and programs for our community. Continue exploring the stories behind two new COMU exhibitions with We Are Carver and Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground, now available for purchase in the COMU Shop. These beautifully produced exhibition catalogs offer a closer look at the artists, stories, and ideas behind each exhibition, with rich imagery and thoughtful scholarship that extends the experience beyond the galleries. Take a deeper look at the artists, stories, and ideas behind these exhibitions—and bring a piece of the COMU experience home with you.
Volunteer News This summer, approximately 25 students from Columbus High School and Northside High School contributed more than 200 hours of service, supporting education programs and special events throughout the Museum. We also welcomed 18 students from Columbus State University for the annual CSU Day of Service, where they helped care for the Bradley Olmsted Garden. Their enthusiasm and generosity help COMU create welcoming spaces and memorable experiences for every visitor.
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 7
Upcoming Programs Fall 2026
September 10 Thursday
Garden Volunteer Work Day Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon No registration required.
10 Thursday & 11 Friday
Member Preview Days Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground FREE for Members Get an exclusive first look at Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground before it opens to the public.
12 Saturday & 15 Tuesday
Artful Babies
10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE Ages 6 – 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
Explore books, hands-on objects, and an art activity for children and caregivers to enjoy together.
12 Saturday
Mini Makers
NEW TIME! // 1:30 – 2:30 PM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
Learn about art through story time, games, and more! Each session includes exploring new materials and creating mini masterpieces to take home.
Drop-In Tours: Celebrating the COMU Collection Every Saturday // 2 PM // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.
Join a COMU docent for a guided tour highlighting COMU’s permanent collection. Learn about American art and regional history through this hour-long introduction to some of our most beloved collection objects.
8 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
12 Saturday
19 Saturday & 20 Sunday
3 – 7 PM // FREE
10 AM, Noon, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM
Registration requested.
$80 Members/$85 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Coulter Fussell Homecoming Celebration Experience The Proving Ground, a vibrant new exhibition by Columbus-born artist Coulter Fussell. Celebrate opening day with an afternoon of family-friendly activities, including gallery talks with the artist, hands-on artmaking, scavenger hunts, and food trucks. Enjoy live music from local favorite Frankie Mincey, bringing his signature high-energy sound to the celebration.
15 Tuesday
Mini Makers
1:30 – 2:30 PM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
The Art of Glass Making Workshop – Pumpkins
All materials are provided. No experience is necessary.
19 Saturday
Family Saturday 10 AM – Noon // FREE No registration required.
Stop by COMU every month for new activities exploring the Museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
19 Saturday
Renew at COMU: Mindful Looking 10:30 – 11:15 AM // FREE No registration required.
17 Thursday
25th Anniversary Columbus, Georgia in Vintage Postcards Noon // FREE Registration requested.
In partnership with Historic Columbus, we welcome historian Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. to discuss his book, Columbus, Georgia in Vintage Postcards, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its publication. Begin with an optional gallery experience at 11:30 AM, followed by the lecture at 12:15 PM. Guests are welcome to purchase lunch from the Museum Café or bring their own.
18 Friday
The Art of Glass Making Workshop – Pumpkins
This 45-minute gallery experience invites you to engage more deeply with works in the Museum’s collection through guided looking exercises designed to encourage reflection, observation, and presence in the galleries.
19 Saturday
Kids Watercolor Workshop 2 – 4 PM Instructor: Maya Eurich Ages 5 – 9 $40 Members/$50 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Join us for a creative workshop inspired by Joseph O’Sickey’s Autumn Table Setting. Explore the work in the galleries and head to the Studio to experiment with watercolor techniques and create your own autumn-inspired table scene.
22 Tuesday
2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM
After School Art Break
$80 Members/$85 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
2:30 – 4:30 PM // FREE
Learn to make your own glass pumpkin with Kelly Robertson of Cavalry Glassblowing Studio. All materials are provided. No experience is necessary.
Elementary students & caregivers. No registration required.
Each month, take inspiration from an object in the COMU collection and experiment with new materials in an artmaking project.
October 3 Saturday & 6 Tuesday
prepare for the future. Explore the exhibition and enjoy light refreshments before a panel discussion with Ingram and several of the students begins at 6:30 PM.
10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE
17 Saturday
Artful Babies
Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
Look, Listen, and Make Workshop
3 Saturday & 6 Tuesday
10:30 – 11:30 AM Instructor: Jessamy South
Mini Makers
1:30 – 2:30 PM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
8 Thursday
Garden Volunteer Work Day Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon No registration required.
10 Saturday
Monotype Adult Workshop 10:30 – 11:30 AM Instructor: Lucy Kacir Ages 16+ $20 Members/$25 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Participants will begin with examples from COMU’s collection before experimenting with the process of printmaking to create a unique, one-of-a-kind work of art. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary.
13 Tuesday
After School Art Break 2:30 – 4:30 PM // FREE Elementary students & caregivers. No registration required.
15 Thursday
We Are Carver Panel Discussion & Reception 5:30 – 7:30 PM // FREE Registration requested.
Join us for the opening reception of COMU’s new exhibition We Are Carver by photographer Jessica Ingram. The exhibition follows JROTC students at Carver High School over several years, capturing their hopes, dreams, and experiences as they grow and
Ages 4 – 6 & caregivers. $40 Members/$50 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Children and an adult caregiver will begin by exploring King Nobuyoshi Godwin’s The Leopard is having a perfect day because it’s with the animal friends through story time, games, and gallery activities. Then, families will head to the Studio to create their own animal-themed artwork inspired by what they discover in the galleries.
17 Saturday
Renew at COMU: Yoga 10:30 – 11:15 AM $5 Members/$10 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Start with a short mindfulness-focused gallery experience then relax with a gentle, all levels yoga session led by Sue Tomkiewicz. Some yoga mats are available on a first come, first served basis.
20 Tuesday
activities from community partners. Come dressed as someone who has made a contribution to American history and take part in our Parade of Costumes before indoor activities conclude at 7 PM. Then, bring a lawn chair or blanket and gather on COMU’s front lawn for an outdoor showing of National Treasure. Local food trucks will be on site while concessions and restrooms will be available inside the Museum. Sponsored by the W.C. Bradley Company through support of COMU’s Young Art Patrons.
29 Thursday
The Grand Heist: A Roaring Twenties Whodunit Party 6 – 9 PM $75 Members/$85 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
An exclusive private unveiling has been arranged, and a priceless work of art will be on display under the watchful eye of our security. They’ve assured us there’s nothing to worry about ... We certainly hope they’re right. Slip into the glamour of the Roaring Twenties for an evening of cocktails, delicious fare, music, and mystery. Don your finest Jazz Age attire and mingle through the Museum as you uncover clues, encounter a few suspicious characters, and become part of an unforgettable whodunit culminating in a thrilling theatrical finale worthy of the silver screen.
Lifelong Learners: Coulter Fussell
November
12:15 PM // FREE
7 Saturday
Registration requested.
Artist Coulter Fussell joins us to discuss her new exhibition The Proving Ground, organized by the Mississippi Museum of Art. Begin with an optional gallery experience at 11:30 AM, followed by the lecture at 12:15 PM. Guests are welcome to purchase lunch from the Museum Café or bring their own.
24 Saturday
Fall Festival: Movie Night Edition 4 – 9 PM // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.
Experience hands-on artmaking, games, a scavenger hunt, live performances, and
COMU at Steeplechase Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, known as the “event of the season,” brings family and friends together to watch thoroughbred horses race over timber and brush hurdles. The Museum is honored to be a beneficiary of Steeplechase. The COMU Shop will be onsite featuring select merchandise, including products by local artists, fine jewelry, and children’s items. Raffle tickets are on sale in the COMU Shop or by contacting Morgan Wilson, mwilson@comuga.org, 706.748.2562 ext. 5440. For more information, visit steeplechaseatcallaway.com. continues on next page ...
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 9
Upcoming Programs Fall 2026 14 Saturday 7 Saturday & 10 Tuesday
Artful Babies
10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
7 Saturday & 10 Tuesday
Mini Makers
1:30 – 2:30 PM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event. No registration required.
12 Thursday
Garden Volunteer Work Day Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon No registration required.
13 Friday
Advanced Glass Making Workshop – Snowmen 2 & 4 PM Advanced class cost: $150 per Person Registration required. Space is limited.
Are you one of our seasoned students? Craft your very own glass snowman with Kelly Robertson of Cavalry Glassblowing Studio.
13 Friday
The Art of Glass Making Workshop – Ornaments 6 PM $65 Members/$75 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Learn to make your own glass ornament with Kelly Robertson of Cavalry Glassblowing Studio. All materials are provided. No experience is necessary.
For event information and tickets, visit our website or contact: Membership at 706.748.2562 ext. 5430 or membership@comuga.org
10 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
The Art of Glass Making Workshop – Ornaments 10 AM, Noon, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM $65 Members/$75 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
All materials are provided. No experience is necessary.
15 Sunday
The Art of Glass Making Workshop – Ornaments 10 AM, Noon, 2 PM, 4 PM
20 Friday
Pink Friday at COMU Shop 10 AM – 4:30 PM // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.
Shop small, support artists, and enjoy special savings in the COMU Shop. Find gifts with a story!
21 Saturday
Family Saturday 10 AM – Noon // FREE No registration required.
$65 Members/$75 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
21 Saturday
All materials are provided. No experience is necessary.
9 – 10AM
17 Tuesday
Caring for Collections: Responsibility and Stewardship with Betty Krulik 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM // FREE Registration required. Space is limited.
Join us for this complimentary luncheon featuring noted art expert Betty Krulik, who has more than 40 years of experience handling American and European 19th- and 20th-century art. She will share insights on caring for collections, stewardship, and the responsibilities of preserving works of art. Krulik will also explore how planned giving can build long-term sustainability supporting the Museum’s future. Boxed lunches will be provided for guests who pre-register.
17 Tuesday
After School Art Break
Renew at COMU: Sound Bath $5 Members/$10 Non-Members Registration required. Space is limited.
Join us for a restorative sound bath experience led by Jeffrey Oakman of Sonic Wellness. This immersive session uses healing vibrations and sound to encourage relaxation, reduce stress, and support a stronger mindbody connection within the calm setting of the Museum. Some yoga mats are available on a first come, first served basis.
It’s holiday shopping season at the COMU Shop! Check off your holiday list and find thoughtfully selected, artisan-made pieces, perfect for everyone on your list. Complimentary gift wrapping is included! Don’t miss sales and holiday specials.
27 Friday
2:30 – 4:30 PM // FREE
Black Friday at COMU Shop
Elementary students & caregivers. No registration required.
10 AM – 4:30 PM // FREE
19 Thursday
28 Saturday
Indigenous Heritage Month Guided Tour 5:30 – 6:30 PM // FREE
Drop-in event. No registration required.
Small Business Saturday 10 AM – 4:30 PM // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.
No registration required.
Join us for a guided museum tour in recognition of Indigenous Heritage Month with Lucy Kacir, Director of Education and Engagement.
29 Sunday
Museum Store Sunday 1 – 4:30 PM // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.
Master Circle
Save the Date:
37th Annual Master Circle Dinner Monday, December 7 // 6 PM By Invitation Please reserve the date for an evening of distinction as we gather to honor our esteemed Circle Members. This black tie occasion will feature exceptional culinary delights, spirits, and exquisite décor. We look forward to celebrating your generosity and commitment to the Museum during this signature event. To take part in this Circle level membership benefit, please consider upgrading your membership before December.
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 11
Members & Contributions
April 1 to June 30, 2026
**Continuous member for 20+ years // *Continuous member for 10+ years
The Columbus Museum is grateful to recognize our President, Director, Collector, Master Circle, & Patron level members. Those who joined or renewed within the last quarter are in bold print.
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Wilson** Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Woodruff Rebecca K. & Sidney H. Yarbrough III, M.D.**
PRESIDENT CIRCLE
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Adams, Jr.* Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Alvarez** Dr. & Mrs. David P. Antekeier Fred & Catalina Aranas Family Foundation Nancy Elizabeth Arrington Ms. Betty L. Auten* Bo Bartlett & Betsy Eby* Mr. & Mrs. Donald W. Beck, Jr.** Susan Berry Catherine & Rennie Bickerstaff** Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Bickerstaff Mrs. James J. W. Biggers** Zack & Amanda Bishop Mr. & Mrs. James H. Blanchard** Thomas R. Bowden & Troy P. Mann Minnie R. Bradley** Ms. Sara B. Bradley Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy Brewer* Dr. Philip L. Brewer** Mr. & Mrs. Lance Brooks Nancy Sullivan Burgin* Ms. Patricia A. Butts Florene Calvin-Dawkins Mr. & Mrs. Gill Cargill* Jonathan Cartydue Dr. Kia L. Chambers Mr. & Mrs. R. Keith Chambless Dr. & Mrs. Hunter Champion Rhonda Pritchett Clippinger Bonnie & Leslie Cohn** Craig & Traci Courville** Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mack Dixon, Jr. Ms. Brooks Dykes & Mr. Eugene Dykes Mr. & Mrs. J. Robert Elliott, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Evans, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Keith Frakes Mint & Robert Flowers** Cindy & Spencer Garrard Nora & Gardiner Garrard** Mrs. Sally Q. Gates** Mr. & Mrs. Clay Gullatt
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel P. Amos** Mrs. Donald F. Broda, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Hecht** Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth M. Henson, Jr.** Helen Jordan Hobbs** Mr. & Mrs. John C. Martin II** Mr. & Mrs. W. Michael Ogie** Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Ramsay, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. Harrison Wallace* D. Steven Sharp** DIRECTOR CIRCLE
Mrs. Lovick P. Corn** David Durant Mr. & Mrs. Kerry W. Hand** Dr. & Mrs. Thornton F. Jordan** Mr. & Mrs. Mason Houghland Lampton** Mrs. Cherry N. Pease** Dr. & Mrs. Richard S. Robbins** Maxine R. Schiffman** Mr. & Mrs. Asa V. Swift Bobsie Carlton Swift** Katherine & Wright Waddell** Mrs. Davis Ronald Watson** COLLECTOR CIRCLE Mr. & Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley** Ed & Suzanne Burdeshaw** Mr. & Mrs. Stephen T. Butler** Judye S. Harris** James G. & Kathryn A. Hillenbrand Gail B. Greenblatt** Mr. & Mrs. W. Bradley Mullins Marjorie & Jerry Newman** Mr. & Mrs. Otis J. Scarborough** Mr. & Mrs. D. A. Turner III Dr. Chip & Audrey Tillman**
12 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
MASTER CIRCLE
James E. & Kelli Hall* Mr. Christopher R. Harman** Dr. & Mrs. Ed P. Helton Robbie Keith Holt** Darren & Becky Horne Mrs. Lula Huff** Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hughston Mr. & Mrs. John H. Irby Mr. & Mrs. Randolph B. Jones III* Dr. William P. Kendall** Mrs. Erwin D. Key** Mr. & Mrs. Jack B. Key III** Dr. & Mrs. Edward B. Kinner** Ashok & Mary Kumar* Mr. & Mrs. Mason Hardaway Lampton* Drs. Francye & Joseph Largeman* Mrs. Donald M. Leebern, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. W. Fray McCormick** Mrs. R. Scott McGurk** Mrs. Marquette McKnight Ms. Marsha E. Mason** Mr. & Mrs. L. Pierce Miller* Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Miller Dr. & Mrs. Douglas Pahl* Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Patton* Mr. & Mrs. William Roland Peek** Thom Pegg, Black Art Auction Mr. & Mrs. Ben B. Philips** Ms. Sally Phillips Dr. & Mrs. Andrew W. Pippas* Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Poydasheff, Jr. Ms. Marianne Richter* Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Riley* Mrs. Kathy J. Riley** Mr. & Mrs. Alan F. Rothschild, Jr.** Mrs. Benno G. Rothschild** Ms. Melanie Slaton Dr. & Mrs. J. Lacey Smith* Celia Solomon* Dr. Eva Sperk* Mr. Frederick Spitzmiller Ms. Rose H. Steiner** Dr. & Mrs. Matthew Stewart Ms. Jeanne R. Swift** Elizabeth A. Taylor** Patty Kimbrough Taylor** Jim & Melissa Thomas Beth Thrift
Mr. & Mrs. Wade H. Tomlinson III** Townsend Wealth Management Mr. & Mrs. James Trotter, Jr.** Dr. Amandah S. & Mr. John T. Turner* Mr. & Mrs. William B. Turner, Jr.** Mr. Robert H. Vardaman, Jr. Dr. Thomas A. & Sherry F. Wade** Mr. Travis F. Wade* Mrs. John W. Walden, Jr.** Whitni & Mulford Waldrop Chris Weaver** Mr. L. Rexford Whiddon** Mrs. Cecil Whitaker** Susan Smith Wiggins* Pat & Jack Wilensky** Mrs. Brevard House Windsor** Kay Winn** Bob & Liz Wolverton Keith & Susan Wood Mr. & Mrs. Joel O. Wooten* PATRON Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey G. Adams Mrs. Julia S. Alexander** Drs. Karin & Champ Baker III* Susan Berry Mr. Reynolds Bickerstaff Mrs. Marjorie B. Bickerstaff** Mr. Mrs. Alfred O. Blackmar Mr. & Mrs. Lee Brantley* Mr. & Mrs. Gary O. Bruce** Helen J. Burgin Mr. Robert F. Burgin III** Garrett & Shawn Burns Ann P. Burr** Ms. Jan Carter** Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Childs* Elizabeth & Shaun Conlin Scott & Pam Cotter Dixie Crymes** Sherricka Day Mrs. Frank S. Etheridge III** Mr. & Mrs. Frank D. Foley III** Andy & Dana Freeman** Rich Godfrey & Kim Dodd Mr. & Mrs. Lee R. Grogan, Jr.** Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Goldsmith** Mr. & Mrs. Madden Hatcher, Jr.**
Mrs. Richard Hallock Mrs. Vincent S. Haneman, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William C. Huff** Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Johnson** Mr. & Mrs. Miles Jordan Dr. Ron & Mrs. Leslie King Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Krieg* Betty Krulik Mr. & Mrs. Larry Lewallen Mr. & Mrs. Anthony D. Link** Drs. Kevin T. & Amanda McPherson* Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Martin III** Dr. & Mrs. Michael Metry Mr. William Morgan & Mr. Steve Morse Mrs. Richard Olson** Mr. & Mrs. J. Donald Peek** Larry & Kate Rosenstrauch The Honorable & Mrs. William C. Rumer** Dr. & Mrs. Lloyd Sampson** Edith H. Satterwhite** Ms. Charlotte Alexander Saunders** Mr. Claude G. Scarbrough III** Mr. & Mrs. Jack Schley* Kenneth A. Shaw** Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Springer Mrs. Nancy Stephens** Mr. & Mrs. Mathews D. Swift** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas P. Swift** Mr. & Mrs. John P. Thayer* Mr. Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr. Anita & Philip Tomlinson** Mr. & Mrs. Jack G. Turner** Rick & Jan Ussery** Mrs. W. David Varner, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Vaught Mr. Elliott Waddell** Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Waddell** Mr. & Mrs. Sam M. Wellborn** Mr. & Mrs. Mal Waldrep Mrs. Jessie G. Wright** Mr. & Mrs. James D. Yancey** Mr. & Mrs. Bruno Zupan*
The Columbus Museum is grateful to recognize our Friend, Reciprocal, Family, Duo, Individual, YAP, & Civic members who joined or renewed within the last quarter.
Sharron Cook Hayley Dukes Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Elver
FRIEND
Paula & David Acton Mr. & Mrs. Bo Bone Mr. & Mrs. Fred J. Dodelin Ms. Alice Gentry Douglas** Polly & Wade Fowler Dr. Britney Farmer Mr. & Mrs. Clifton C. Fay, Sr.** Mr. & Mrs. Brad Finley Mr. & Mrs. Sean Finneran Joyce Fowler** Allison Gardner Mr. Alan Harkness* Carol & Doug Harvey** Dr. Susan Hrach Leslie Anne Jones Tricia Llewellyn Konan Julie Littlejohn** Luker Family Judge & Mrs. Gil McBride* Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Moye Kerry & Katherine O’Connor Dr. & Mrs. Ryan Overton Mr. & Mrs. Julio Portillo Jr.* Mrs. Jean M. Puckett Vanessa Ray Dr. Sonjia Parker Redmond & Gregory Redmond Teresa C. Sanders & William C. Sanders The Sanders-Castles Family Mrs. Jack H. Tinkler* Erin & Josh Trowell Deanne Titus Washington Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Watkins Thomas & Diane Waynick Dr. Stefania & Mr. Dan Wilcox
Randall E. Craven** Mr. & Mrs. S. Carson Cummings Sr. Mr. & Mrs. David Hay** Mr. & Mrs. Stephen M. Howard** Melinda Hunter** Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Kiggins Nancy & Kim Sheek RECIPROCAL Barbara & David Brandenburgh Mr. & Mrs. Samuel L. Buracker III* Mr. & Mrs. Larry Cardin** Faye Carles** Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Carter* Ann Conger Mr. & Mrs. Robert K. David, Jr.** Lell Ghiai Susan Schley Gristina* Mrs. Ben H. Hudson II** Mary S. Hurley Mr. & Mrs. John S. Knight, Jr.* Mr. & Mrs. McCranie* Sandra Mitchell Ms. Karen L. Noell Mrs. Ethel E. Patrick** Ronald & Jenda Pettigrew Mr. David Rothschild III** Mr. & Mr. Robertson-Selser Mr. & Mrs. John Swift** Lois M. Tryon** Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Ussery* Dr. & Mrs. George S. Voltz, Jr.** Dr. Linda Walker* Jane Wilson Ron & Susan Wirt Margaret G. Zollo** FAMILY Mr. Ray L. Allison** Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Bickerstaff
DUO
INDIVIDUAL
Mary Breen Ms. Judy Bryson Dr. Janet C. Bussey Jan McGlaun Caves Martha Chewning Mr. Darryl Clarke
Marsha Collins Ms. Liz DiQuattro Kim Flournoy Deborah Hamric Reverend & Mrs. James R. Herring Sr.** Dorothy Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Larry A. King** Mrs. James B. Knight** Debbie Levison Gwendolyn McIntosh Mrs. Agnes A. Shelton* Mrs. Cathryn Smitherman Ms. Jeanette S. Snavely** Catherine Thomas Mrs. Betty D. Thompson** Sarah Vance Ms. Ann Williamson* Dr. Andrew Zohn & Mrs. Kristen Miller Zohn* CIVIC Esther Bowman Mr. Philip Chan** Lynn Hunter Griley** Katie & Josh Howe Myra & Jeff Josefsberg* Dr. Nancy Moore Sandra H. Schmidt Sylvia Tatum Suzanne Taylor*
The Columbus Museum is proud to recognize our active Alma Thomas Society members who joined or renewed within the last quarter. Dr. Janet C. Bussey Darren & Becky Horne Tricia Llewellyn Konan Mrs. Ethel E. Patrick Dr. Sonjia Parker Redmond & Gregory Redmond Mrs. Agnes A. Shelton Lisa Turner Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Wilson Bob & Liz Wolverton continues on next page ...
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 13
continued from previous page ...
The Columbus Museum gratefully acknowledges the following contributions in honor or in memory of special friends. In honor of Elizabeth T. Corn The Family Office at Synovus In memory of Lorraine Brewer Betty Krulik In memory of Pat Walters for the Bradley Olmsted Garden Mary & Bo Bradley
The Columbus Museum gratefully acknowledges the following friends for their contributions. Donation of First National Bank artifacts Gift of J. Robert Elliott, Jr. Donation of Columbus historical artifacts and artwork by Arthur Stewart Gift of Thornton & Sue Jordan Donation of William Christopher painting Gift of D. Steven Sharp Donation of artwork by Garry Pound Gift of Lorraine Farino Brewer †
14 // THE MUSE FALL 2026
Donation for general operations Ms. Betty L. Auten The Cliboca Foundation Mr. Timothy J. Crowley The Lee-Boulton Family Julie Pearson-Clarke Stacy L. Poydasheff The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens The George & Ann Swift Family Foundation Donation for the Bradley Olmsted Garden Marilyn Anderson Georgia Tree Council The Lemon Tree Garden Club The Sprig & Dig Garden Club Sponsorship of the 2026 Summer Family Festival Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus Trust Company, N.A. Sponsorship of Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground VisitColumbusGA + Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance Racing for COMU 2026 Trifecta Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. W. Michael Ogie Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Ramsay, Jr. Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus
Racing for COMU 2026 Win Sponsors Butler Prather LLP Friend of the Museum Standard Concrete Products Mrs. Davis Ronald Watson Racing for COMU 2026 Place Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Daniel P. Amos Elizabeth Corn Mr. & Mrs. John C. Martin II Morgan & Morgan Freeman & Associates Racing for COMU 2026 Show Sponsors ACOM Mr. & Mrs. Donald W. Beck, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley Mrs. Donald F. Broda, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Stephen T. Butler Florene Dawkins Wendy & Bob Elliott Mint & Robert Flowers Nora & Gardiner Garrard James E. & Kelli Hall Mr. & Mrs. Kerry W. Hand Mr. Chris R. Harman & Mr. Noah Fussell Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Hecht Ken & Chris Henson Highland Gallerie Mr. & Mrs. A. Comer Hobbs, Sr. Hughston Clinic
Elaine & Miles Jordan Dr. & Mrs. Thornton F. Jordan Mr. & Mrs. Mason Houghland Lampton Morgan Stanley Mr. & Mrs. Jack J. Pease III Mr. & Mrs. William R. Peek Joan S. Redmond Robinson Grimes & Company, PC Dr. & Mrs. Lacey Smith Townsend Wealth Management Woodruff Brokerage Company Donation for Racing for COMU 2026 Dr. & Mrs. Hunter Champion Daniel Appliance Friend of the Museum Greystone Properties Leslie Anne Jones Mr. William P. Kendall Tricia Llewellyn Konan Mr. & Mrs. Mason Hardaway Lampton Mr. & Mrs. W. Fray McCormick Mr. & Mrs. L. Pierce Miller Morgan Muller Sally Norman Mr. & Mrs. Adam R. Pease Ms. Marianne Richter Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Woodruff Liz & Bob Wolverton
Trustees & Staff Fall 2026
Board of Trustees 2026 – 2027 James E. Hall President
Daniel P. Amos Vice President
Florene Dawkins Corresponding Secretary
Museum Staff Director
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Lacey Yeend
Kristen Hudson
Marianne Richter
Assistant to the Director
COLLECTIONS & EXHIBITIONS
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Marcolm Tatum Graphic Designer
Jonathan Frederick Walz Director of Curatorial Affairs & Curator of American Art
Cesar Colon Torres Marketing & PR Coordinator
Rebecca Bush
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Museum Director/Recording Secretary
Curator of History & Exhibitions Manager
Kimberly Beck
Elizabeth Ogie
Aimee Brooks
Treasurer
Senior Collections Manager
Chris Henson
Miles Kirkpatrick
Marianne Richter
Immediate Past President
Daniel P. Amos, Kathelen V. Amos, Kay Broda, Lance Brooks, Lark Champion, Brad Clements, Florene Dawkins, Ivey Evans, Mint Flowers, Gail B. Greenblatt, James E. Hall, Pace Halter, Donna S. Hand, Chris Henson, Helen Hobbs, Thornton F. Jordan, William P. Kendall, Tricia Llewellyn Konan, Elizabeth Lampton, Mary Lu Lampton, W. Fray McCormick, Stephen Morse, Elizabeth C. Ogie, Jack Schley, Steve Sharp, Bobsie Swift, Thomas Wade, Jr., Elizabeth Wolverton, Blair Woodruff
Paula Evans Accounting Specialist
Associate Collections Manager
Brooke King
Matthew Swindell
Gift Shop Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
Exhibition Designer
Keith Smith Lead Preparator/Art & Artifacts Handler
Benny Weldon
Myah Tomlinson Visitor Services Representative
McKenzie Johannes Visitor Services Representative
Associate Preparator/Art & Artifacts Handler
Julia Wagers
EDUCATION
Al Johnson
Lucy Kacir
Thomas Moses
Director of Education & Engagement
Christine Hull
Jessamy South
Ex-officio MCSD Representative
Youth & Family Programs Manager
LIFE TRUSTEES:
Victoria Hall
Phillip L. Brewer, Elizabeth T. Corn, Judye S. Harris, Robert Hecht, F. Clason Kyle, Betsy T. Leebern, Jerry B. Newman, Rebecca K. Yarbrough
Deputy Director for Operations
Academic Programs Manager
Maurice Sanabria Community Outreach Coordinator
DEVELOPMENT
Visitor Services Representative Security Chief Security Deputy
Krim Hashem El Security Deputy
Matthew Thompson Horticulturist
Edward Diamond Maintenance Engineer
Cynthia Greene Lead Custodian
HONORARY TRUSTEES: James H. Blanchard Honorable Calvin Smyre J. Barrington Vaught
Morgan Wilson Director of Development
Olivia Patin Special Events Manager
Landy Cartledge Grants & Sponsorships Officer
Alice Holmes Custodian
Dorothy Walker Custodian
Rita Palm Custodian
Kim Thomas Development Assistant
THE MUSE FALL 2026 // 15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT # 65 COLUMBUS, GA
The Columbus Museum is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts.
Home delivery of The Muse is a special benefit of membership. Columbus Museum mailings are not forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service. If your address changes, please notify the Museum at 706.748.2562, ext.5430.