The Columbia Museum of Art set a daily attendance record of 2,006 visitors from noon until 5:00 p.m. last Sunday, January 17, which was a free admission day courtesy BlueCross BlueShield of SC. Sunday was the last day for the popular exhibition, Ansel Adams: Masterworks, which opened October 23, 2009 and featured many of Adams’ most famous and best-loved photographs that encompass the full scope of his work.
Ansel Adams (American, 1902-1984), “Orchard”, Portola Valley, California, c. 1940. Gelatin silver print. Photo; Courtesy: Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, CA. ©Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust
The exhibition attracted many people from outside the greater Columbia area generating strong economic activity for the city. Ten percent of visitors last Sunday were from outside of South Carolina and 55 percent were from outside Richland County.
“We are so pleased that this exhibition attracted such a large audience from outside the city and county, which has a direct and positive effect on improving the vitality of Main Street,” executive director Karen Brosius said. “Our exhibitions and educational programs bring thousands of people to the city center each year, which has an important economic impact as well.”
The Museum’s previous daily attendance record was 1,590 visitors during Turner to Cézanne, which was on view March 6 – June 7, 2009.
Visit columbiamuseum.org for more information and details on upcoming exhibitions, events and programming.
GENERAL MUSEUM INFORMATION: The Columbia Museum of Art is South Carolina’s premier international art museum and houses a world-class collection of European and American art. Founded in 1950, the Museum opened its new building on Main Street in 1998 with 25 galleries. The collection includes masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo from the Samuel H. Kress Collection, porcelain and works by significant furniture and silver makers, as well as American, Asian, and modern and contemporary art. In recent years the Museum’s collection of Asian art and Antiquities has grown through generous gifts to the collection. Of particular interest are Sandro Botticelli’s Nativity, Claude Monet’s The Seine at Giverny, Canaletto’s View of the Molo, and art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Museum offers changing exhibitions from renowned museums as well as educational programs for all ages that include art classes, art camps, lectures, films and concerts. It is the recipient of a National Art Education Association award for its contributions to arts education and an Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina. Generous support to the Museum is provided by the City of Columbia, Richland County, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties.
General Info: 803.799.2810
For information on group rates and tours, call 803.343.2163.
Website: columbiamuseum.org
Location: Main at Hampton Street in the heart of downtown Columbia, South Carolina
1515 Main Street
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
First Friday of every month 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (until 5:00 p.m. in December)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday, Tuesday and major holidays
Museum Shop: Open during Museum Hours and Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 students, $8 military, $8 senior citizens (ages 65 and over).
Every Sunday is free courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
Free for museum members and children ages 5 and under.
