Lindsay blogs about the Columbia Museum of Art!

The Columbia Museum of Art offers more than I ever thought. . . this is truly a place not to be missed! We had the opportunity to not only view the different galleries but also become familiar with the structure of the building. Taking a tour with Joelle taught us the beginnings of analyzing paintings through lines and shading. In addition to viewing some amazing Renaissance pieces, Joelle informed us as to how the architecture of the building truly effects the exhibits and potential future shows.

Behind the scenes of The Columbia Museum of Art is truly amazing; from the planning aspect for various exhibits (did you know that the museum typically plans three years in advance?) to the building’s layout. One of the most interesting aspects of the tour was standing on the roof of the building and discussing how the walls, roof, and HVAC system make an impact on the museum. The museum is much larger than I ever expected; future plans include an expansion into currently unused portions of their space.

Once getting down from the roof, we had the opportunity to discuss a future exhibit entitled Seeing Ourselves. Currently, the behind the scenes work is underway, including choosing appropriate wall color and laying out the photographs. The show is divided into five subjects and will open on Thursday, September 13th, 2007.

After the grand tour was over, we had an opportunity to make our own prints with fish molds. I was a bit worried about an "art project" since I am not an artist. However, this was an attempt in trying something new. I enjoyed making a few prints and plan on framing one of the two. (Hey, it’s my first piece of artwork since elementary school!) The group enjoyed becoming more hands-on and this opportunity was not missed by a single member.

So, what have we learned so far from Columbia’s New Road Show? The Columbia Museum of Art is constantly evolving, pushing the borders of its audience through various mediums that are meant to challenge your mind and spirit. So get out there and challenge yourself! Lindsay