The Muse // Summer 2026

THE

The Columbus Museum Quarterly Magazine

Summer 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: Johann Gotthard Müller (after John Trumbull), The Battle at Bunker’s Hill near Boston, June 17th, 1775 (detail), 1798, hand painted engraving on wove paper, The Edward Swift Shorter Bequest Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2003.39

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Letter from the Director Summer at The Columbus Museum is a season of connection—where art, history, and community come together in vibrant and meaningful ways.

As our galleries fill with families, students, and returning visitors, we are excited to share new additions, special exhibitions, and continued partnerships that deepen the stories we tell.

In this issue, we are pleased to highlight a significant new addition to the collection, Jimmy Carter I by Andy Warhol. This work is especially notable for being signed by both artist and sitter.

Created in 1976 for Carter’s presidential campaign, the portrait captures a pivotal moment at the intersection of American art and history, with strong ties to our region. We are grateful to Dan and Kathelen Amos for this generous gift.

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, we present a focused exhibition in the Crowley Gallery exploring the Revolutionary era and the early years of the Republic. Circa 1776 brings together portraits of Colonial Americans who helped shape the nation, alongside period decorative arts and historical artifacts that illuminate this formative time.

Our partnership with the Art Bridges Foundation continues this summer with a new set of loans from the Honolulu Museum of Art. These works will be on view in our permanent collection galleries, as well as in a focused installation highlighting Asian American artists.

Summer is a particularly special time at the Museum, as children and families fill our spaces with energy and curiosity. The Dan and Kathelen Amos Children’s Gallery offers hands-on exploration while our eight weeks of summer camps provide engaging opportunities for young learners to connect with art and history. Our Summer Festival will take place on June 27, alongside a full calendar of weekly activities.

We are also proud to share that recognition of the Museum’s transformative renovation continues to grow. The project recently received an Award of Merit from the Georgia chapter of the American Institute of Architects in the Renovation/Restoration/Adaptive Reuse category.

With so much happening this season, I invite you to explore our exhibitions, participate in our programs, and reconnect with the works that make The Columbus Museum such a vital part of our community.

New On View July 2026 – January 2027

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Circa 1776 The Columbus Museum is proud to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial with a special installation in the Crowley Gallery. Entitled Circa 1776, the exhibition brings together objects created within the 25 years on either side of the founding of the United States, offering a focused look at the people, materials, and ideas that shaped the early Republic.

Drawn largely from the Museum’s permanent collection, the installation highlights the breadth of artistic and material production during this pivotal era. Visitors will encounter a dynamic Revolutionary War battle scene alongside portraits of early Americans that reflect both personal identity and

emerging national ideals. Decorative arts—including finely crafted furniture, medals, and domestic objects—offer insight into daily life, revealing how artistry and function intertwined in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Together, these works illuminate not only the historical moment, but also the evolving story of American craftsmanship, politics, and culture.

Images: 1. Unknown maker, Baltimore side chair, c. 1795-1805, mahogany, walnut, tulip poplar, Gift of Janice Watson, The Columbus Museum G.2021.7.2 // 2. Margaret Taylor Collier Woolfolk, Needlework alphabet sampler, c. 1800, silk on linen, The Gladys Dudley History Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2025.52 // 3. Thomas Webb, Medal Commemorating George Washington, 1805, bronze, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Seaver in memory of Claire Flom, The Columbus Museum G.2008.58

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To enrich this presentation, The Johnson Collection of Spartanburg, South Carolina, has generously lent a rare pair of portraits by Joshua Johnson, an early 19th-century artist now recognized as the first professional African American painter in the United States. Fewer than two dozen museums nationwide hold examples of Johnson’s work, making this an extraordinary opportunity to experience his portraits in person. Their inclusion expands the narrative of the exhibition, foregrounding the contributions of African American artists in the early Republic.

Several recent acquisitions from The Columbus Museum’s collection will also make their public debut in Circa 1776, further deepening the installation and offering fresh perspectives on this formative period in American history.

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Thursday, July 9

Art & Patriotism Guided Tour 5:30 – 6:30 PM // FREE American artists have used their creative output to share stories throughout history. Join Lucy Kacir, Director of Education and Engagement, for a gallery experience exploring the intersection of art and patriotism in the United States.

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Images: 4. Unknown maker, Baltimore Federal Card Table, c. 1790-1800, mahogany, Museum purchase made possible by the Daniel P. and Shannon L. Amos Foundation; a Friend of the Museum, in honor of Mrs. Clarence C. Butler; and The Watson Fund, in memory of Brig.

Gen. Paul C. Watson, The Columbus Museum G.2002.13 // 5. Unknown maker, Spectacles owned by Hannah Mendenhall, c. 1775-1798, metal, glass, Gift of the Corn Family, The Columbus Museum G.2021.82.1 // 6. Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Memin, Portrait of Thomas Hillen, 1804, pencil, charcoal and chalk on paper, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Philip L. Brewer in honor of the Museum’s 50th Anniversary, The Columbus Museum G.2003.38.7 7. Unknown maker, George Washington Indian peace medal, 1792, coin silver, The Art Acquisition and Restoration Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2022.5

COMU is proud to once again participate in the Art Bridges Partner Loan Network with seven unique loans of American art. The ceramic vessel and six paintings are owned by the Honolulu Museum of Art, legendary for its renowned collection of Asian and Asian American art.

Art Bridges, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, exists to expand access to all kinds of American art and to inspire institutions to open their vaults and share important works that would otherwise go unseen. The organization covers costs for packing and shipping as well as for educational programs centered around the borrowed objects.

For this generous year-long loan, COMU will incorporate three paintings into the permanent collection galleries. These canvases will create fresh visual juxtapositions with “conversation partners” already in the galleries. New insights and interpretations for old favorites at COMU are sure to arise. The other four loans will form the core of a small tworoom installation highlighting Asian American art. Six objects are by artists not yet represented in COMU’s holdings, thereby offering visitors the chance to study firsthand new compositions and styles.

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Images: 3. Robert Cottingham, Arrow (G), 1971, oil on canvas, Honolulu Museum of Art, Purchase Plan, 1971, Funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and Academy Friends, 1971. © Robert Cottingham // 4. Matsumi Kanemitsu, Landscape, 1967, acrylic polymer on canvas, Honolulu Museum of Art, Purchase, 1967. © Estate of Matsumi Kanemitsu. // 5. Hung Liu, Reverie, 1998, oil on canvas, Honolulu Museum of Art, Gift of the Estate of Joyce L. Stupski, 2021. © Estate of Hung Liu. // 6. George L.K. Morris, Recessional, 1950, oil on canvas, Honolulu Museum of Art, Purchase, with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and Academy Friends, 1971. © Estate of George L.K. Morris.

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New Acquisition Summer 2026

Iron Bank Building Sign Joins Collection The construction of Columbus’ “Iron Bank” spanned the Civil War. As envisioned by Bank of Columbus president William H. Young, its Renaissance Revival style projected power and stability. After several years of purchasing land at the southeast corner of Broadway and 11th Street, construction began in July 1860. H.C. Oram & Co. of Philadelphia supplied its distinctive iron front, which arrived in March 1861. One story suggests that the installation of window frames was delayed during the war, so staff simply boarded up the windows until completion in 1866.

One of the building’s first tenants was the Georgia Home Insurance Company. Chartered in 1859 and also led by Young, it was one of the first insurance companies in Georgia, offering fire insurance for homes, businesses, and merchandise (including highly flammable cotton), as well as marine insurance for ship owners. Columbus’ First National

Bank was chartered in 1876 as an offshoot of Georgia Home, and the two businesses shared their headquarters for decades while being led by John Rhodes Browne and later his son Rhodes. In 1948, stockholders approved a merger with the Home Insurance Company of New York, ending the company’s nearly 80-year local presence.

This gold leaf sign, which hung at the company’s iconic building, was reverse painted on glass by a firm in New York City’s Financial District.

The newspaper used as backing now peeks through as paint has flaked away over the decades, revealing the sign’s year of manufacture: 1898.

Image: Georgia Home Insurance Company sign, 1898, The Gladys Dudley History Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2025.51

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New Acquisition Summer 2026

Andy Warhol, Jimmy Carter I An American painter, graphic artist, and filmmaker, Andy Warhol remains one of the most influential and widely recognized figures of the Pop Art movement. Emerging in the 1960s, Pop Art responded to the rise of mass media, advertising, and consumer culture, blurring the boundaries between fine art and everyday life. Warhol stood at the center of this shift, transforming familiar images—celebrities, products, and public figures—into works that were at once instantly recognizable and conceptually provocative.

This new acquisition, Jimmy Carter I, is a silkscreen print, a medium Warhol embraced for its ability to remove artist-specific mark-making from the process while allowing for striking clarity, repetition, and variation. By using silkscreen, Warhol challenged traditional ideas of originality and artistic value, positioning mass

Above: Andy Warhol, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Bernard Gotfryd, LC-GB05-4532

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production as both subject and method, and reinforcing his interest in how images circulate and gain meaning in modern culture.

In 1976, the Democratic National Committee commissioned Warhol to create a portrait of former Georgia governor Jimmy Carter for his presidential campaign. The commission came at a pivotal moment in American history, as the country sought renewed trust and transparency in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The intention was strategic: to appeal to younger voters and a media-savvy electorate by aligning Carter with Warhol’s cultural cachet—his celebrity, art world influence, and unmistakable visual style. At a time when most campaign imagery remained formal and conventional, Warhol’s approach introduced a sense of immediacy and modernity. The resulting portraits merge pop art with politics, presenting Carter as a contemporary and approachable figure, while also signaling a broader shift toward the increasingly visual and image-driven nature of political campaigns.

That August, Warhol traveled to Carter’s peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, a setting that offered a deliberate contrast to the polished environments typically associated with national politics. There, he photographed Carter and members of his family, including Rosalynn Carter, their daughter Amy, and Carter’s mother, Lillian. Warhol worked primarily with a Polaroid camera, a tool he favored for its immediacy and ability to quickly generate source material for his prints. These informal photo sessions produced a series of images that Warhol later translated into silkscreen compositions. Two principal painted versions of Carter emerged from this process. The version represented here captures the candidate in a contemplative, even solemn moment—an expression Carter later attributed to the financial pressures of the campaign—while a second version presents a more familiar, smiling likeness.

In this portrait, Warhol’s characteristic visual language is on full display. The cropped composition focuses closely on Carter’s face,

emphasizing expression over setting, while the bold contrasts and flattened areas of color heighten the image’s graphic impact. The result is an image that feels both personal and iconic—rooted in a specific moment yet designed for broad public circulation. By depicting Carter in a quieter, more introspective pose, Warhol offers a nuanced counterpoint to the confident, smiling imagery typical of political campaigns, inviting viewers to consider the complexity behind the public persona.

The Democratic National Committee’s forward-thinking campaign ultimately proved effective; Carter went on to win the presidency and later credited Warhol, along with fellow artist Jamie Wyeth, for helping shift the momentum of the race. The collaboration between artists and a presidential campaign marked a notable moment in the convergence of art, politics, and media—one that continues to resonate in today’s visually driven political landscape.

The Columbus Museum is especially proud to have acquired this particular impression from the first edition, distinguished by the rare presence of signatures from both artist and sitter—an exceptional convergence of artistic and historical significance. This important work enters the collection through the generosity of Kathelen and Dan Amos, whose gift ensures its preservation and accessibility for our community. With its strong ties to Georgia and its intersection of American art and political history, Jimmy Carter I holds particular resonance for the Museum and the region we serve. As part of the permanent collection, it will support future exhibitions, educational initiatives, and conversations that connect past and present in meaningful ways.

The print is currently on view in the Museum’s Shorter Gallery, where we invite visitors to experience this remarkable work firsthand.

Fig. 1: Andy Warhol, Jimmy Carter I, 1976, screenprint in colors on Strathmore bristol, Gift of Dan and Kathelen Amos, The Columbus Museum G.2025.65

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Upcoming Programs Summer 2026

June 2 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

6 Saturday

12 Friday

10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE

10 – 11 AM // FREE

Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

No registration required.

Explore books, hands-on objects, and an art activity for children and caregivers to enjoy together.

13 Saturday

Artful Babies

Story Time Tour

Mini Makers 10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

Drop by COMU for new surprises each week – scavenger hunts, exploring touch objects in the galleries, special art-making activities… and more!

Learn about art through story time, games, and more! Each session includes exploring new materials and creating mini masterpieces to take home.

3 Wednesday

Gallery Play Date 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

Families are invited to explore objects on view in the gallery and play with a variety of objects, including toys, books, games, and more!

9 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

5 Friday

10 Wednesday

10 – 11 AM // FREE

10 – 11 AM // FREE

No registration required.

Ages 2 – 4 years. Drop-in event. No registration required.

Story Time Tour Explore COMU through stories and handson objects during these special interactive family tours. With lots of opportunities for audience participation, families will look closely at four objects in the Museum as we make discoveries about what we see.

Gallery Play Date

11 Thursday

Garden Volunteer Work Day Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon No registration required.

16 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

17 Wednesday

Gallery Play Date 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

18 Thursday

Juneteenth Guided Tour 5:30 – 6:30 PM // FREE No registration required.

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 our permanent collection. Learn about American art and regional history through this hour-long tour of some of our most beloved collection objects.

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Join Lucy Kacir, Director of Education and Engagement, to learn about Juneteenth and how objects in COMU’s collection tell stories of resistance and determination related to the southern freedom movement throughout time.

Image: Radcliffe Bailey, O Freedom Ova Me (detail), 1995, mixed media on wood, The Edward Swift Shorter Bequest Fund, The Columbus Museum G.1996.5

18 Thursday – 21 Sunday

27 Saturday

9 Thursday

Drop-in During Shop Hours

10 AM – 2 PM // FREE

Celebrate Dad with something timeless.

Enjoy this curated sale featuring thoughtful gifts, classic accessories, and distinctive pieces he’ll actually love. Whether you’re shopping for Father’s Day or just because, discover something meaningful and ready to wrap. Limited time special discounts on select items.

Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon

Classic Finds for Dad Sale

Summer Festival

Enjoy our special Summer Festival with art making, gallery experiences, special guests, and more!

30 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

July 7 Tuesday 19 Friday

Story Time Tour 10 – 11 AM // FREE No registration required.

19 Friday

Juneteenth Guided Tour 11 AM – Noon // FREE No registration required.

23 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

24 Wednesday

Gallery Play Date 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years. Drop-in event. No registration required.

25 Thursday – 28 Sunday

COMU Shop Annual Sale Drop-in During Shop Hours No registration required.

Come and shop the annual sale at COMU! Find discounts up to 75% off throughout the shop as well as specialty last-chance items.

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

8 Wednesday

Gallery Play Date 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 6 - 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

Garden Volunteer Work Day No registration required.

10 Friday

Story Time Tour 10 – 11 AM // FREE No registration required.

11 Saturday

Artful Babies 10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE Ages 6 – 24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

14 Tuesday

Tuesdays at 10 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

15 Wednesday

Gallery Play Date 10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 2 – 4 years. Drop-in event. No registration required.

9 Thursday

Art & Patriotism Guided Tour 5:30 – 6:30 PM // FREE No registration required.

American artists have used their creative output to share stories throughout history.

Join Lucy Kacir, Director of Education and Engagement, for a gallery experience exploring the intersection of art and patriotism in the United States.

Image: Benny Andrews, The Oath, 1992, oil and collage on canvas, Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York; Hassam, Speicher, Betts, and Symons Funds, The Columbus Museum G.1993.3

16 Thursday

COMU Shop Christmas in July Sale Drop-in During Shop Hours No registration required.

Celebrate the season early with our Christmas in July Sale! Enjoy special discounts on unique gifts and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. It’s the perfect time to get a head start on holiday shopping, or treat yourself to something special. Limited-time offers, so don’t miss out!

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THE MUSE SUMMER 2026 // 11

Upcoming Programs Summer 2026 25 Saturday

15 Saturday

10:30 – 11:30 AM // FREE

10 AM – Noon // FREE

Ages 2 – 4 years & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

Drop-in event. No registration required.

28 Tuesday

Summer Send-Off Sale

Mini Makers

17 Friday

Story Time Tour 10 – 11 AM // FREE No registration required.

18 Saturday

Family Saturday 10 AM – Noon // FREE Drop-in event. No registration required.

Stop by COMU every month for new activities exploring the Museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

Tuesdays at 10

10 – 11 AM // FREE Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

22 Wednesday

No registration required.

Join us for our Summer Send-Off Sale, where you can enjoy special savings on seasonal favorites, unique finds, and must-have gifts before the season slips away. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself, refresh your space, and grab those pieces you’ve had your eye on.

Columbus at Play Guided Tour 5:30 – 6:30 PM // FREE No registration required.

Ages 2-4 years. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

Enjoy a guided tour beginning with the special history exhibition, Columbus at Play, exploring how Columbusites have enjoyed games and recreation over time. We will then make our way into the permanent collection galleries and discuss other objects that depict leisure activities. Bring a playful spirit and be ready to share your favorite play-based memories!

31 Friday

Story Time Tour 10 – 11 AM // FREE

Gallery Play Date Ages 6-24 months & caregivers. Drop-in event.

No registration required.

27 Thursday

10 – 11 AM // FREE

No registration required.

10 – 11 AM // FREE

Drop-in During Shop Hours

Ages 4 & up. Drop-in event. No registration required.

Gallery Play Date Tuesdays at 10

27 Thursday – 30 Sunday

10 – 11 AM // FREE

29 Wednesday

21 Tuesday

Family Saturday

August 13 Thursday

24 Friday

Story Time Tour 10 – 11 AM // FREE No registration required.

Garden Volunteer Work Day Bradley Olmsted Garden 8:30 AM – Noon No registration required.

For event information and tickets, visit our website or contact: Membership at 706.748.2562 ext. 5430 or membership@comuga.org

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Image: Rhythm Rollers sticker, USO-NCCS Club, 1950/1954, The Gladys Dudley History Fund, The Columbus Museum G.2023.40.2

Summer Youth Programs

Summer Youth & Family Programs ARTFUL BABIES

GALLERY PLAY DATE

10:30 – 11:30 AM // June 6 & July 11 Ages 6-24 months & caregivers

Drop by COMU for gallery play time for children ages 4 and under! Explore objects on view in the galleries and play with a variety of toys, books, games, and more.

Babies love art! Drop in during this event to learn about the world of art with your child through playtime in the galleries and art-making activities.

MINI MAKERS 10:30 – 11:30 AM // June 13 & July 25 Ages 2-4 & caregivers Drop in with your little artist to learn and play in the galleries!

Each session includes a chance to explore new materials and create mini masterpieces to take home.

Ages 6 – 24 months June 3 & 17 // 10 – 11 AM July 8 & 22 // 10 – 11 AM Ages 2 – 4 years June 10 & 24 // 10 – 11 AM July 15 & 29 // 10 – 11 AM

STORY TIME TOUR Ages 4-10 & caregivers Join us for interactive family tours that invite close looking, storytelling, and hands-on fun. Together, we’ll explore four fascinating objects in the galleries— each paired with a story that sparks connections and curiosity. One stop even features in-gallery toys for a tactile experience designed especially for young visitors.

FAMILY SATURDAY Discover, create, and more at Family Saturday! Drop by the Museum each month for a new activity exploring the Museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

Summer Family Festival June 27 // 10 AM – 2 PM // Ages 4 & up Family Saturday July 18 & Aug. 15 // 10 AM – Noon // Ages 4 & up

June 5, 12, 19, & 26 // 10-11 AM Featured Books: They Call Me River by Maciek Albrecht How to Draw a Tree by David LaRochelle

TUESDAYS AT 10

At One: In a Place Called Maine by Lynn Plourde

June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 // 10 – 11 AM // Ages 4 & up July 7, 14, 21, & 28 // 10 – 11 AM // Ages 4 & up

The All-Together Quilt by Lizzy Rockwell

Stop by any Tuesday in June or July for a new adventure each week— whether it’s a scavenger hunt, hands-on gallery objects, creative art-making, or something totally unexpected. No two weeks are the same!

July 10, 17, 24, & 31 // 10-11 AM Featured Books: Snow Thief by Alice Hemming Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal A Flash of Color & Light: A Biography of Dale Chihuly

by Sharon Mentyka Niko Draws a Feeling by Bo Raczka

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Museum News

Gift Shop & Garden Café News Gift Shop Highlights This spring, the Gift Shop has been buzzing with creativity! In April, we welcomed artist Kelly Robertson of Cavalry Glassblowing Studio for a special mobile workshop, where participants crafted their own glass flowers and bubble bowls—each piece as unique as its maker.

In May, artist Addie Newcomer—whose watercolor works and pottery are available in the Shop—led a lively citrus-inspired watercolor workshop. Guests explored vibrant color and technique, leaving with fresh skills and beautiful creations.

Garden Café News We’re thrilled to have Fountain City Coffee back in the Garden Café!

Since February, the café has once again given visitors the perfect place to relax and recharge during their Museum experience.

Stop in for a casual lunch or midday pick-me-up, with a menu featuring fresh grab-and-go sandwiches, snack boxes, and sweet treats—ideal for enjoying before or after exploring the galleries and garden.

Volunteer News This spring, we had the pleasure of celebrating our incredible volunteers with our annual appreciation luncheon and bus trip. Their generosity, enthusiasm, and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact on everything we do at the Museum.

We are deeply grateful for their time and commitment—and proud to have such a passionate community supporting COMU.

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Museum Travel

Fall for Art in the Hudson Valley October 5–8, 2026 Experience the art, history, and natural beauty of New York’s Hudson Valley on this special getaway.

Highlights include Boscobel House and Gardens, Storm King Art Center, Olana State Historic Site, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, along with visits to Beacon, Hudson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

From $4,950 per person (double occupancy) Includes accommodations, select meals, transportation, and admissions.

Space is limited.

Details & reservations: Contact Ryn Wilson at ryn@adventuresinart.com

Madrid Masters: American Paintings in Dialogue February 6–14, 2027 Discover Madrid through exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to world-renowned collections. Enjoy VIP entry to Fundación MAPFRE’s Sargent’s Vision of Spain, including a loan from COMU’s own collection, plus early access at the Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Additional highlights include a private visit to the Palacio de Liria and a guided excursion to Toledo.

From $11,999 per person (double occupancy) Includes accommodations, meals, guided tours, and exclusive access.

Space is limited.

Details & reservations: trips@arrangementsabroad.com

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Members & Contributions

January 1 to March 31, 2026 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.

PRESIDENT CIRCLE 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. and 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** Mr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Wilson** Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Woodruff

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**Continuous member for 20+ years // *Continuous member for 10+ years

Rebecca K. & Sidney H. Yarbrough III, M.D.** MASTER 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 Mrs. Forrest L. Champion, Jr.** 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. Mint & Robert Flowers** Cindy & Spencer Garrard Nora & Gardiner Garrard** Mrs. Sally Q. Gates** Mr. & Mrs. Clay Gullatt 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 & Mr. Ben Holden* 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** Mr. & Mrs. Keith Frakes 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 Mr. & Mrs. William C. Huff** Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Johnson** Mr. & Mrs. Miles Jordan Dr. Ron and 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.

FRIEND Mr. & Mrs. Walter W. Calhoun Deanna & Shane Darrah Christopher Hurst Lee Capraro & Julian Ripple

Dr. & Mrs. Andy Roddenbery The Honorable & Mrs. William C. Rumer Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Springer Mrs. W. David Varner, Jr. Jane & Bruno Zupan** RECIPROCAL Wayne & Jane Bond Mr. Eddie Branch Michele Chulick & Ian Pesses Mr. Timothy J. Crowley Mrs. John H. Deaton** Mrs. Claire Derr Mr. & Mrs. Tom Flournoy** Beth France Fred & Cathy Fussell* Mr. & Mrs. Drew Godwin Mr. John F. Greenman & Ms. Alice Budge** Mr. & Mrs. Eric Happell Ena G. Hunt April & Marcus Kirk Mr. Harry L. Lindsey* Ms. Ericka Loze-Hudson George & Anne Peagler Bronwen P. Rogers Mr. & Mrs. G. L. Sexton III** Mr. & Mrs. John A. Shinkle* Ms. Wynne P. Stevenson** Mr. & Mrs. Lance Tankersley* Corey & Rita Thompson Wendy Timmons Allison & Bill Wickham Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Yarbrough IV*

Alice French-Brewer Mr. & Mrs. J. Hudson Garrett** Richard E. Hatfield & Timothy Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Heinsen Susan Hoskins Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Hughston Mr. & Mrs. J. Lee Jackson** Linda Johnson Mr. & Dr. Andrew Krawchyk Mr. & Mrs. George Mize Madi & Brandon Moseley Mr. & Mrs. S. L. Mullin Jr.** Mrs. J. Edward Norris, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Peebles** Ms. Olivia L. Philips Lisa Ramsey Yahya Rauf Mr. Frank Romeo Philip Smith Stephanie Smith Robin Trimarchi & Mollie Smith Dr. & Mrs. John P. Tucker** Mr. & Mrs. Billy G. Turner** Nancy Tyrol Mr. & Mrs. Mal Waldrep Ron & Melinda Ward* Mr. & Mrs. William C. Woolfolk, III DUO Paula & David Acton Mr. & Mrs. Bo Bone Mr. & Mrs. Fred J. Dodelin Ms. Alice Gentry Douglas** Polly & Wade Fowler

FAMILY

INDIVIDUAL

Fred & Alice Barlow Mr. & Mrs. George G. Boyd, Sr.* Dr. & Mrs. Fred Burdette** Rick Caldwell & Gordon Cade* Mr. & Mrs. Ralph W. Callaway Erin & Justin Clark Mr. Bainbridge & Dr. Karen Cowell* Mr. & Mrs. James H. Creek* Bobbie & Don Dakin** Mr. & Mrs. R. Jason Davenport Jamie DeShong Kelly A. Evans Ford/Woods Family

Mary Lynn Adams Lynda M. Alford** Bucky Bowles** March Burnette Linda & Michael Cavaliere Dana Chatman Roxann G. Daniel Susan R. Dolan** Ms. Marjorie Drury* Ms. Jan Ellis* Viki Gilmore Carol Harrison Lawanna Hayes Ms. Ann Howard**

Paula L. & Gary L. Johnson* Jan Jones Connie Jones Miss Meredith L. King* Frank & Lorraine Kolar Lt. Col. (Ret) Patricia A. Krause** Sherrie Marquita Susan Perry Lisa Pyburn Hugh Stuckey Berkley & Ed Tante* Mrs. Elaine Tarpley** Edweena McIntosh Thomas* Mr. Cliff Tucker** Mr. Ronald Veasey Ms. Lynda Worthington* Laura Yates** CIVIC Carol Angell & Michael Weaver Ms. Sara G. Barfield* Linda Bass & Shawn Mewhorter Mr. & Mrs. James E. Brooks, Jr.** Mr. & Mrs. Hal Campbell Mrs. Felecia Mathews Cienfuegos** Lisa Drazez Darlene Hughes-Kittrell Margaret L. Ingersoll* Jay & Peggy Jacobs* Mr. A. Stephen Johnson** Twila R. Kirkland Mr. Ronald M. Mack** Luise May Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Newton** Shirley Redmond Dr. Kimberly Scott*

The Columbus Museum is proud to recognize our active Alma Thomas Society members who joined or renewed within the last quarter.

Aaron Payne Fine Art Mr. & Mrs. Daniel P. Amos Drs. Karin & Champ Baker III Mr. & Mrs. Richard Y. Bradley Mint & Robert Flowers Cindy & Spencer Garrard continues on next page ...

THE MUSE SUMMER 2026 // 17

continued from previous page ...

Mr. John F. Greenman & Ms. Alice Budge James E. & Kelli Hall Robbie Keith Holt Mr. & Mrs. Mason Hardaway Lampton Mr. & Mrs. John C. Martin II Mr. & Mrs. W. Michael Ogie Dr. Kimberly Scott D. Steven Sharp Kenneth A. Shaw The Honorable Calvin Smyre Ms. Margaret Spencer Dr. Chip & Audrey Tillman

The Columbus Museum gratefully acknowledges the following contributions in honor or in memory of special friends.

In honor of Mary Bradley’s Birthday Mrs. Marjorie B. Bickerstaff Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Martin III In honor of Sally Q. Gates’ Birthday Lynn Hunter Griley

18 // THE MUSE SUMMER 2026

In honor of Sally Hatcher Mrs. Marjorie B. Bickerstaff In memory of Lorraine Brewer Dr. & Mrs. A. C. Alvarez Mr. & Mrs. Daniel P. Amos Dr. Marilyn Laufer & Mr. Charles T. Butler Mr. & Mrs. J. Robert Elliott, Jr. Mark & Bonnie Franco Mr. & Mrs. Mason Houghland Lampton Mr. & Mrs. W. Michael Ogie Nancy & Kim Sheek Bobsie Carlton Swift Michael E. Zielaskiewicz In honor of Dr. Philip Brewer’s 90th Birthday Mrs. Donald F. Broda, Jr. In memory of Evelyn & Ray Crowley Steven Crowley In memory of Billy Winn Ms. Rebecca Bush

The Columbus Museum gratefully acknowledges the following friends for their contributions.

Donation of artwork by Bo Bartlett Kathelen & Dan Amos Sally Q. Gates Gail B. Greenblatt Thornton & Sue Jordan Mike & Elizabeth Ogie Thomas & Sherry Wade Friends of the Museum Donation of artwork by Andy Warhol Kathelen & Dan Amos Donation of Gari Melchers artwork Gift of Dr. Philip Brewer in memory of his wife, Lorraine Farino Brewer Donation of Basket Gift of Jonathan Frederick Walz, Ph.D., in honor of Stefano Catalani

Donation of LP Gift of Jonathan Frederick Walz, Ph.D., in honor of James Robert Bush Towner Donation for general operations Mrs. Felecia Mathews Cienfuegos Ashaki Goodman Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Mercer University Montgomery Antiquarian Society Vincent Naman Ruth Nichols Sandra H. Schmidt Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Woodruff Donation for Year End Lynda M. Alford Creek Stand Partners, LP Mr. & Mrs. James H. Creek Donation for Young Art Patrons Ms. Margaret Spencer Sponsorship of Puzzle of Politics exhibition Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus

Trustees & Staff Summer 2026

Board of Trustees 2025 – 2026 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

Tyler Townsend, CFA

Aimee Brooks

Treasurer

Collections Manager

Chris Henson

Miles Kirkpatrick

Marianne Richter

Immediate Past President

Daniel P. Amos, Kathelen V. Amos, Mary B. Bradley, 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, Becky Miller, Stephen Morse, Elizabeth C. Ogie, Gwendolyn H. Ruff, Jack Schley, Bobsie Swift, Tyler Townsend, Thomas Wade, Jr., Whitni Waldrop, Elizabeth Wolverton, Blair Woodruff

Ex-officio MCSD Representative

LIFE TRUSTEES: Phillip L. Brewer, Elizabeth T. Corn, Judye S. Harris, Robert Hecht, F. Clason Kyle, Betsy T. Leebern, Jerry B. Newman, Rebecca K. Yarbrough

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

Jessamy South Christine Hull

Deputy Director for Operations

Youth & Family Programs Manager

DEVELOPMENT

Visitor Services Representative Security Chief Security Deputy

Krim Hashem El Security Deputy

Matthew Thompson Horticulturist

Morgan Wilson Director of Development

Julie Garner Event Sales Manager

Landy Cartledge HONORARY TRUSTEES:

Grants & Sponsorships Officer

James H. Blanchard Honorable Calvin Smyre J. Barrington Vaught

Kim Thomas Development Assistant

Edward Diamond Maintenance Engineer

Shakeem Riggs Lead Custodian

Alice Holmes Custodian

Dorothy Walker Custodian

Rita Palm Custodian

THE MUSE SUMMER 2026 // 19

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

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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.