We visited between exhibitions so we were able to view only the permanent collection which seemed very limited. We expected much more from an art museum in a state capital. There was no admission fee on the day we visited.
If you love portraits and traditional art, this is the place for you. Modern exhibits are well done, and traveling exhibits are almost always visible.
Went to the Norman Rockwell exhibit. Very interesting to see the process he went through for each painting. The Mini tours were very informative. The rest of the museum is the same from years past.
Horrible. Hot and crowded and noisy. Never been in a museum where people were so loud. Twice guard accused me of talking on phone when I was shown how to use it to listen to program since servers were down. Wasn't told to get in line for tour Couldn't hear guide due to noise. I should have been given a refund. Worst museum in world I've ever been to. I assume those giving it a good review don't know what a good museum is. Will never return
We thoroughly enjoyed the Norman Rockwell Exhibit and the guided tour at the museum was outstanding. Very informative. After the tour, took the time to enjoy the permanent displays on the second floor. BTW - the permanent displays are free on Sundays.
We went to Columbia just to see the Rockwell exhibit and it was well worth the trip! The exhibit highlighted the way Rockwell created his extraordinary paintings. They included photographs of the models posing for Rockwell, and how he used these to help create the final work of art. Having these hanging next to the final piece gave us new appreciation for the huge amount of work he put in to each painting.
This is my fourth (or fifth?) visit to the Columbia Museum of Art in the last 7 years. I came to see the exposition of Norman Rockwell works. It is divided into four rooms on the first floor and it shows which was his creative process from photographs and sketches to the paintings of his famous images. I love these timeless images that depicts ordinary life events with realism and humor. The museum's permanent collection is upstairs. It covers art of many centuries from the Egyptian and Roman to contemporary art. Compared to others, it is a small museum, but nonetheless it houses many interesting pieces like a big Chihuly glass sculpture, several examples of Italian art among which a painting by Canaletto, an Italian blown glass chandelier, a religious tryptic, and Asian art.In the past I remember seeing an exposition of works by Ansel Adams, and one by Michael Kenna and unfortunately missing the one on French Impressionists. I really admire the quality of the temporary expositions that bring world class art to this museum and the many interesting pieces in the permanent collection on display.
Always have fun with my friends at CMA events, especially Arts & Drafts! The museum has a nice permanent collection but does a very good job bringing in larger traveling exhibits. If they are in between one of their big exhibits it might be best to visit on a free day, but big exhibits like Rockwell and Turner to Cezanne were well worth the admission price.
Special exhibits are their forte. Otherwise it is a typical small city art museum. Many evening programs of music, lectures, etc.
Looking at the covers of the Saturday Evening Post during the 50s and early 60s as well as those of the later 40s brought back such great memories of my childhood and growing up. The times depicted seem simpler and safer than the times of today. It was a great reminder of what life in the United States was all about