EDUCATION
Donor Shows Passion with a Generous Gift
In December of 2012, St. John Neumann
grandchildren to the CMA to see traveling
Catholic School third graders received an
exhibitions and to enjoy programs like
early Christmas present. More than 50
summer camps.
students, teachers and chaperones enjoyed
a day of exploration and inspiration at the
Upon hearing of the plans for the fall 2012
CMA. For many, this field trip was their
exhibition, Mark Rothko: The Decisive
first time in an art museum and for others,
Decade, Myrtle couldn’t wait to get her
it was an opportunity to experience the
grandchildren in to the Museum to see
wondrous world
the art. This time though, she
“I believe that our
inside the CMA
wanted to do a little more since
community’s cultural
again.
it is not often that children in
life continues when our
Columbia get the opportunity
children form a connection to see works from this
Myrtle
Robinson is a
important painter.
with the arts.”
supporter and
- Myrtle Robinson
long-standing
Myrtle decided to bring her
member of the CMA. As an avid art-lover
grandson’s entire St. John Neumann third
and enthusiast, she shares this passion with
grade class to the CMA for a field trip.
friends and family at every opportunity.
Knowing it was not within the school’s
Myrtle often brings her children and
budget, Myrtle offered to pay for a bus to
6
columbiamuseum.org
transport them and to cover the students’
admission.
The students were giddy with excitement
as they made their way through the Rothko
exhibition learning about the art and life
of this great American artist. Following
the tour, each student created his or
her own original art. Myrtle hoped the
tour would inspire them, and she hoped
the opportunity to make something in
the studio would encourage their inner
creativity – and that it did!
A few weeks after the field trip, Myrtle
invited CMA Executive Director Karen
Brosius, to her home. During her visit,
Myrtle proudly showed Karen a box filled
with dozens of drawings, cards and handwritten thank-you notes from the students,