Now and Then: A Photographer's Response to Images of Columbus' Past
September 4, 2008 – February 15, 2009
Sidney H. Yarbrough III Gallery

In this unique exhibition, a selection of historic images documenting a broad spectrum of significant people, places and events in Columbus’ past will be juxtaposed with contemporary photographic responses by Auburn University Assistant Professor of Photography Chuck Hemard. A re-interpretation of the moments captured in the historical images, the fresh images produced by Hemard are themselves a unique commentary on the city and the larger society of which they are a part. Taken together, these images help us more completely understand Columbus as it is now, and how closely that existence is linked with Columbus as it was then.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Hardaway Endowment Fund.

Preservation, 2008, c-print, Chuck Hemard, born New Orleans, La. 1973
Courtesy of the artist

Characters: Views of the Figure in Clay
October 16, 2008 – January 4, 2009
Galleria Cases

Characters: Views of the Figure in Clay explores the figurative works of five Georgia-based ceramicists. Krista Grecco (Decatur) and Sun-Koo Yuh (Athens) build their porcelain sculptures using a variety of processes with custom-made glazes. John Jensen (Savannah) and Tim Taunton (LaGrange) create large, often humorous, figures that are sometimes adorned with accessories and finished with rich and fabulous colors. In her female forms, Debra Fritts (Roswell) explores her daily life through autobiographical works. Although working in different methods, each artist looks at a very traditional subject of artistic exploration, one that seems to have limitless possibility: the human form.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of The Landrum Educational Endowment Fund.   

Rainkeeper-Spring, 2008, terracotta, metal, Debra Fritts, born Nashville, Tenn. 1953

Courtesy of the artist

Let Children Be Children: Lewis Wickes Hine's Crusade Against Child Labor
October 26, 2008 to December 14, 2008
History Gallery

Lewis Wickes Hine (American (1874-1940) was a sociologist whose photographs captured his abiding concern for children, immigrants, and working-class people. He was hired by the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) in 1906 to document the harsh conditions in which children worked. Hine spent ten years photographing in the canneries, coal mines, cotton mills, farms, and sweatshops common during the early 20th century. Through the use of photography, Hine and the NCLC endeavored to gain the attention of the government and arouse public sentiment against child labor practices in the United States.

A telling look at the industrialization of America, Let Children Be Children reveals the circumstances that poor working children endured until legislation against child labor prevailed as late as 1938. The exhibition consists of 35-40 enlarged, modern black-and-white photographs, on loan from the George Eastman House. The display will also include some original Hine photographs from the Columbus Museum’s collection.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of The Landrum Educational Endowment Fund.   

One of Many Young Boys on Night Shift in a West Virginia Glass Factory, 1908, gelatin silver copy print (modern copy), Lewis W. Hine, born Oshkosh, Minn. 1874, died New York, N.Y. 1940
Gift of the Photo League, New York: ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine

The Right Chemistry: Colors in Fashion, 1704-1918
November 13, 2008 – January 25, 2009
Shorter and Leebern Galleries

Wearing color is part of the human experience.  From time immemorial, colors were an integral part of the fiber of society and their presence, or absence, served a social function.  They contribute to making us who we are as individuals and can speak of culture, beliefs and life stages.  For centuries, colors and fashion have been linked.  While observing the uses and symbolism of different colors and the dye sources of various shades, surviving garments presented in The Right Chemistry help us understand the far reaching applications of color discoveries.

The exhibition consists of 28 male and female costumes from the early 18th century to the early 20th century on loan from the Kent State University Museum (OH). Also on display will be portraits from our collection, as well as several southeastern collections.

This exhibition is lent by the Kent State University Museum. Its display at teh Columbus Museum is made possible by the generous support of Columbus Bank & Trust, the Lenora J. Garrard Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, and the Helen J. Olnick Charitable Remainder Trust.

Dual-Toned Purple Faille Ensemble with Front and Back Aprons, ca. 1868-1872, unknown maker and place of origin, Silverman and Rodgers Collection. KSUM 1983.1.118abcd, non-original lace at neck and wrists