American Innovation: Brilliant Glass (1876 – 1917)
October 23, 2010 - January 16, 2011
Galleria Cases

The Brilliant Period spans the years from 1876 to 1917, when American cut glass became recognized throughout the world for its unsurpassed quality.

The result of American innovation in the glass industry, the Brilliant Period featured craftsmen that began producing the brilliant, or rich, cut glass that became a symbol of our nation’s newfound wealth.

The discovery of high-grade silica (sand) deposits in American soil led to glass-making formulas vastly better than those used in Europe. At the same time, the conversion from coal-fired furnaces to natural gas for heat greatly enhanced the glass-making process.  Greater temperature control, coupled with the new use of electricity for improved cutting precision, allowed for the creation of almost-perfect glass.

Concurrent to these improved techniques, many of Europe’s finest glass makers and cutters immigrated to America and found markets eager for their talents.

This convergence of technological, social and economic change in the late 19th century gave American glass houses the ideal circumstances to produce intricate, original cut-glass designs. The resulting beauty, clarity and perfection rivaled, and eventually surpassed, European glass.

The 50 pieces on display in this exhibition showcase the variety of shape, function and pattern produced during the Brilliant Period. The core of the Museum’s growing cut glass collection was donated by collector and Honorary Trustee Wendell Lewis. As a complement to Lewis’ gifts, this exhibition features cut glass from other donors and local collectors. Pieces on loan from the Historic Columbus Foundation highlight our community’s history.

Together, these works provide a dynamic survey of the American Brilliant period.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Honorary Trustee Wendell Lewis.

American Tradition: Southern Pottery (1800 - Present)
October 23, 2010 - January 16, 2011
Galleria Cases

For centuries, the South has built a history and developed a reputation of traditional folk pottery.

Folk potters derive their knowledge from traditional pottery-making practices handed down from one generation to the next. When traditional potters refer to folk pottery, they are giving a description of the labor-intensive methods used to produce their work: harvesting raw clay; turning on foot-powered wheels; and burning in wood-fired kilns. Replication and fidelity to the time-honored tradition governed the Southern potter’s production, not the desire to be an innovator or artist.

The pieces on display in this exhibition are fine examples of functional and decorative stoneware. These Southern clay works emphasize a time in history when aesthetics were shaped by usefulness and demand. As demand changed, so did the stoneware. Function gave way to decorative pieces such as face jugs that were meant to be seen rather than used.

These objects are truly a reflection of the culture that created them. Now seen as prized art pieces, the jugs, churns and pitchers are sought by collectors all over the country who understand the significant history and craftsmanship involved in creating Southern stoneware.

In 2009, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Jarrell of Butler, Georgia made a gift of 26 folk art pottery pieces to the Museum. Their donation includes pieces by members of the Meaders and Hewell families as well as seven pieces by Lin Craven. In addition to the Jarrell gift, this show features pieces provided by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Woodall, Jr. and Mr. John Burrison, as well as other ceramics from the Museum’s permanent collection.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Corinne Jarrell in memory of her husband, Dr. Harold G. Jarrell, Sr.

150 Years Later: Our Civil War and Its Legacy
November 20, 2010 – June 13, 2011
History Gallery

The Civil War remains one of the most profound and defining events in American history. At the cost of over 600,000 lives, the conflict ultimately ended slavery, defined the nature of our national union, and affected, on a personal level, virtually every part of American society. Commemorating the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War, this three-part exhibition explores life during the conflict and examines its impact on our city, our state and our nation.

Drawing from the Museum’s collection, as well as public and private collections of memorabilia throughout the region, 150 Years Later: Our Civil War and Its Legacy will feature a variety of period images, weapons, uniforms, documents and prints. A short video about the Battle of Columbus will be featured, as well as an intriguing collection of souvenir and commemorative items from the post-war era that helps us understand the way the Civil War is remembered.

Annotations: David Gilmour Blythe’s Land of Liberty
January 29 – June 5, 2011
Sidney H. Yarbrough III Gallery

Annotations is an ongoing exhibition series at the Columbus Museum that encourages visitors to take a closer look at the art on display. By annotating, or highlighting and explaining details in the artwork, the series will help visitors understand the layers of meaning that can be found in artwork. These layers give clues as to how and why the pieces were created, the scenes they depict, and the purposes they serve. 

This year’s Annotations will focus on Land of Liberty by David Gilmour Blythe.  This 19th-century painting, an excellent example of social satire, shows an Irish immigrant who has just gotten off a transcontinental ship.  The first person he meets is a cigar store Indian, who seemingly offers him a peace pipe. Annotations will put this painting into historical context by exploring the Nativist movement, attitudes about Irish immigrants and Native Americans in the 19th century, and immigration issues today. 

The exhibition will bring the painting to life by displaying real examples of the items found in the painting, including a cigar store Indian, Irish shillelagh, and pipes.  Political cartoons and other artworks that address social issues will also be shown.

Precious Metals: Southern Silver
February 19 – June 26, 2011
Galleria Cases

For prosperous early American families, everyday life included contact with silver.  Silver coins were used as currency, and objects of personal adornment, drinking, dining and tea wares, as well as gifts of recognition were crafted in this precious metal. Silver proudly displayed the wealth and social standing of its owners. Owning silver hollowware—the bowls, dishes and pot—was a prerogative of the wealthy throughout the colonial and early national periods.  However, ownership of some small piece of silver was more common.  By the 19th century, even some middling households owned silver; often among the estate inventories of farm families there are references to objects such as silver teaspoons.

American silversmiths and their customers looked to the metropolitan centers of Europe to inspire the design of the objects they made and used. Silver production in the colonies and early republic was primarily an urban activity, and the majority of the silver manufacturers were in the Northeast. Although craftsmen in the South created some of their own stock, they often purchased finished pieces from manufacturers elsewhere. Therefore, Northeastern manufacturers produced wares at the specific request of Southern retailers, and Southern patronage is a critical ingredient in the history of American silver. 

This exhibition will include examples of New Orleans coin silver from the LSU Museum of Art that will be supplemented by pieces from other collections, including Columbus-related objects owned by the Columbus Museum.

Now and Then: Community Art Contest
March 19 – August 21, 2011
History Gallery

A selection of historic images from the Columbus State University Archives was chosen to present a broad spectrum of significant people and places in Columbus’ past. The community at large will be encouraged to re-interpret these images through photography and short videos.

The community is invited to download their work onto the Museum’s Flickr page for a virtual exhibition. The downloaded work in the exhibition will be open to comments by online viewers of the exhibition. These contemporary works allow for a re-interpretation of the moments captured in the historical images and are themselves a unique commentary on the city. These historic photographs and modern works place each other in better context. They help us more completely understand Columbus as it is now, and how closely that existence is linked with Columbus as it was then.

In addition to the virtual show, the on-line works will be juried and 10-12 ultimately chosen for a physical exhibition in the History Gallery. Prizes may be awarded to the top three contestants.

Related Programs:

Curator’s Choice
6 p.m. Thursday, October 14
Free!

An Evening with Brilliant Glass Expert Tom Duncan
6 p.m. Thursday, October 28
Free!

The esteemed American glass expert gives a special lecture to  celebrate the exhibit opening.

Glass Review Session for Collectors and Enthusiasts
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 30
Free!

Throughout this session, Mr. Duncan will offer his expertise to assist collectors with interpreting the shape, pattern and function of Brilliant Cut Glass produced between 1876 and 1917.

Related Program:

Family Art Affair
1 - 4 p.m. Sunday, November 14                                             
All Ages                              
Free!

F amilies have the opportunity to learn the art of making pottery together under the guidance of a professional artist. .