Columbia Museum of Art

"My name is Lauren King, and I am a development officer at the CMA — I’ve been here for four years this month! I manage the museum’s grant funding strategy, applications, and reporting. I worked with CMA Senior Curator Michael Neumeister on several grant applications for Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil, and we were thrilled to receive the support of Teiger Foundation, Terra Foundation, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the exhibition. "I chose Untitled (flag) VI for several reasons. First of all, the hand-stitched text, while it references multiple dates — from the 1965 voting rights march to the author's parole in 1999, and the quote given in 2004 — remains incredibly relevant today. Voting rights continue to be in the news, including just recently with the Supreme Court’s opinion on the Louisiana v. Callais case. Like with so many pieces in A Son of the Soil, in this piece, McMillian uses art to highlight and rebuke longstanding, and ongoing, social injustices that disproportionately effect people of color. "The other reason I chose it is more personal. I do various forms of needlework, and I have a B.A. in historic preservation, and those two things have combined into an interest in historic embroidery and fiber arts. When I first saw Untitled (flag) VI, I was surprised to find that it reminded me of an 1830s-era cross-stitch piece in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Made by a teenage girl named Elizabeth Parker, that piece is stitched with red thread on cloth and in 64 lines tells the often-tragic story of Parker’s life in domestic service, including abuse by her employers. Aside from the visual similarity between the two pieces because of the red lettering, I was struck by the fact that both artists chose to use embroidery to capture and communicate deeply personal experiences that continue to resonate today." Rodney McMillian (American, b. 1969) Untitled (flag) VI, 2012 Burlap, thread, plaster, ad latex Courtesy of the artist, Vielmetter Los Angeles, and Petzel, New York On view in Gallery 2 of Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil See the Parker piece at the link in bio #StaffPicks #ASonOfTheSoil

☕🎶😎 Less than a week away from your favorite way to start the day. The popular jazz, soul, and coffee series Morning Blend is back (with two added dates!) on Wednesday mornings from May 20 through June in partnership with Curiosity Coffee Bar. From 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., head over to Boyd Plaza to enjoy smooth jazz from bandleader Nicholas Vlandis and rotating musicians, plus a different guest DJ each week. First up: the always-vibey Preach Jacobs. Free to attend, with food and drink for purchase. Grab coffee, tea, and vegan breakfast bites from Curiosity, and don’t miss a Drake’s Duck-In popup featuring their famous chicken biscuits. Morning Blend is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation. Learn more about this and other events at the link in bio! #MorningBlendCMA #BoydPlazaVibes #CMAsummer

🫖 Next Thursday (May 14), join @tourofteasc and the CMA for a delightful journey of tea tasting and cultural discovery. Head to Boyd Plaza for this third annual community event celebrating the rich traditions of AAPI cultures and countries — Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and more — through an exploration of the history, flavors, and cultural significance of tea. Enjoy a variety of Asian teas paired with authentic snacks while experiencing vibrant performances including singing, dancing, and demonstrations. Tour of Tea activities and samples are free. Food is available for purchase from local vendors. Gallery entry is free with membership or admission. For more info click the link in bio 🍵 #TourOfTea #AAPIHeritageMonth

⏰ The time is NOW! Donate to the CMA before 10:59am to help us make the most of the Aflac Power Hour during Midlands Gives. Every gift supports bold exhibitions like Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil and keeps our education and accessibility programs thriving year-round. Let’s keep your museum strong for 2026 and beyond! Pledge your donation at the link in bio. Video: Footage from the exhibition Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil. #MidlandsGives2026

Today is the day to give! Midlands Gives is Central Carolina Community Foundation's annual online philanthropic event that raises money and awareness in support of nonprofits right here in the Midlands. A gift to the CMA helps ensure the programs, exhibitions, and experiences you love continue to grow and thrive. It supports free summer admission for all SC residents, exhibitions like Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil, and the important work we do every day to serve our communities in diverse and inclusive ways. Your generosity keeps the momentum strong. It keeps art alive. And it keeps Columbia’s creative spirit shining. Thank you! We eagerly anticipate what we will achieve together next. Pledge your donation any time today, May 5, especially during the 10am power hour at the link in bio. #MidlandsGives2026

What's going on at your museum? Check out some upcoming activities: 💜 May 5 — Midland Gives | 6am–midnight 🧒 May 6 — Gladys' Gang Toddler Edition: Material World | 10–11am 🀄️ May 6 — Mahjong on Boyd Plaza | 10:30am–1:15pm 🆓 May 7 — Free First Thursday at the CMA | 10am–8pm 🖼️ May 7 — Public Tour of Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil | 5–6pm 🎤 May 7 — Louder Than Silence | 6–7:30pm 🖼️ May 9 — Public Tour of Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil | 11am–12pm 🀄️ May 13 — Mahjong on Boyd Plaza | 10:30am –1:15pm 🧘‍♂️ May 13 — Sound Bath & Guided Relaxation | 4–5pm 🫖 May 14 — Tour of Tea: Every Sip Tells a Story | 4–7pm 👶 May 16 — Stroller Tour of Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil | 10:30–11:30am More info and events at the link in bio. #CMAcollection #RodneyMcMillian #ArtAndWellness #MidlandsGives2026

Born in 1943 in Chengdu, China, David Diao fled to the U.S. with his family at age 12. Long engaged in the development of Modernist painting, Diao began to include personal references in his art in the 1990s. In this case, a silkscreened photograph of the artist is juxtaposed with an image of famous Hong Kong American actor Bruce Lee. Set against a pink painterly background, the composition is a striking amalgamation of Eastern and Western cultural traditions and a commentary on stereotypes. Of the painting, the artist Mira Schor writes, “The double portrait is an overlay, a merging, an emanation that plays out two narratives, or stereotypes, of Chinese masculinity — Diao, the aristocratic aesthete dedicated to the hermetic pursuit of art and philosophy, and his alter ego, Bruce Lee, the bare-chested, ferocious warrior.” David Diao American (born China), born 1943 Bruce and Me, 2000 Acrylic and silkscreen on canvas National Academy of Design, New York, NY NA diploma presentation, February 6, 2013 On view in Collection Gallery 7 #SlowLookSunday #CMAcollection #AAPIHeritageMonth

🀄️ On May 6 & 13, join the CMA and @sodacitymahj on Boyd Plaza for a lively morning of Mahjong, the Chinese tile game with worldwide popularity. This program is open to all levels, from the weekly player to the complete newcomer. Before getting started, learn about the history and cultural significance of Mahjong, from 19th-century China to 1920s New York to today, with faculty from the @uofsc Chinese studies department. Then head right into gameplay or start with a 90-minute lesson in American Mahjong led by Mary Ellen Barnwell. Whether continuing a familiar tradition or trying something new, this is a welcoming space for players across generations to learn, play, and connect. Lessons are free with registration; all materials provided. Open-play sessions are free, with table space offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A grant from the @knightfdn Fund at @cccf_midlands supports this project.

🫖 Now on view! A delightfully whimsical teapot by North Carolina ceramicist and sculptor Michael Sherrill is taking center stage in the upper atrium, surrounded by other stunning teapots from the CMA’s global collection, including pieces from China, France, and the Czech Republic. See it in person today — or experience it with a warm cup in hand at the Tour of Tea on May 14. Learn about the event at the link in bio. Michael Sherrill American, born 1954 Iron Maiden Teapot, 1995 Metallic-glazed stoneware #CMAcollection #TeaTime

Ready to get inspired, have fun, and flex your creative muscles? Check out these May art classes at your museum! 🎨 May 2 & 9 — Art Class: Block-Printed Textiles | 10am–3pm. Create patterns and imagery with basic block printing, stamping, and screen printing on fabric. Taught by mixed-media artist and educator Mary Robinson. 🖌️ May 30 — Art Class: Watercolor Basics | 10am–4pm. Get comfortable with fundamentals like color mixing, brush technique, composition, and drawing skills. Taught by professional watercolorist Constance Manley. ✍️ May 31 — Creative Writing Workshop: Ekphrastic Poetry | 2–4pm. Explore the poetic form of ekphrasis, a vivid description of a scene or work of art. Taught by Columbia's poet laureate, Jennifer Bartell Boykin. More info and events at the link in bio!

Binder Podcast: Two for Tea This episode of Binder steeps listeners in the world of tea, blending humor, history, and cultural insight. First, producer Drew tries to stump Ray with a rapid-fire round of Tea or Title. Then, collector Joseph Bruce spills the story behind his recent gift of New Hall porcelain to the CMA Collection, rooted in history and global trade. After the break, Angela Yong joins the show to brew up a conversation on tea as a living, communal practice and to preview her upcoming @tourofteasc event, highlighting its power to connect across cultures. Along the way, Ray discovers tea is more than a drink — it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and savor the moment. Listen now at the link in bio. #BinderPodcast #CMAcollection

History at Work | @colamuseum At the Columbia Museum of Art, The Intersection on Main Street exhibit is more than a gallery—it’s a dynamic learning space and classroom for visitors of every age. This past week, we welcomed our 50,000th visitor since opening—a major milestone. We were honored to spend time with Mr. Alvin Long (age 90) and Mrs. Esther Ruth Butler Sims (age 96), who shared their memories of Columbia and the Washington and Main Street business districts. We also welcomed families from Richland One School District and the extraordinary artist and storyteller, @gullahmama Mrs. Natalie Daise. Stop by the Intersection exhibit. Experience it for yourself—and spread the word.