Collections Spring 2014 Volume 99 | Page 8

FAMILY FUN Myers’ Gift Provides Summer Camp Scholarships Feel Free to Play! Cecil and Constance Myers The Columbia Museum of Art is deeply thankful to Cecil Myers for his generous gift of $10,000 to the Museum in memory of his wife, Constance Myers. Constance was a long-time docent and supporter of the CMA who believed passionately in, and had a profound love of, art and art education. This gift establishes the Constance Ashton Myers Scholarship Fund. “This is a wonderful way to honor Constance’s memory and share her love of art education for children,” says CMA Director of Education Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby. The scholarship covers tuition for children who cannot afford the cost to attend one of the Museum’s weeklong summer camps. The funding will benefit hundreds of children in our community who are interested in learning about art and will make a difference in the lives and spirits of these children during our summer camp program each year. “Constance embodied the intelligence, spirit, and love of art found in our docent volunteers,” says CMA Executive Director Karen Brosius. “She brought to all of us that twinkle in her eye that was most infectious. We are so thankful for this gift to be able to continue a program so dear to her.” 6 columbiamuseum.org The Columbia Museum of Art has opened the Wells Fargo Education Gallery, a new interactive space for children to learn about fine art while they play in a fun, hands-on environment. The accessible, comfortable, and engaging space for families is home to Gladys the Grasshopper, the CMA’s family mascot. Gladys greets her guests and guides them through the gallery, encouraging creativity. The gallery features new interactive components with art supplies, a bean bag area for kids to read and dream, and a space for parents to unwind while their children set free their imaginations. The gallery is completely free to the public. “Parents need a place to not have to worry about their children while introducing them to fine art,” says Kathryn Hilliard Stuart of the Hilliard Family Foundation and CMA trustee, whose generosity made the gallery a reality. “The Education Gallery provides a space for the children to touch, play with their hands, make noise, and create, while allowing the parent a place to sit and relax for a moment. Education and art should be fun and the Columbia Museum of Art is making that happen for people of all ages!” Three interactive areas are centered on works of art from the CMA collection that guide children in creative thinking and playful activities. The space with Frank Owen’s Shack by African-American artist Beverly Buchanan has doors that open to reveal background information about the piece and fun facts about the CMA collection. The section featuring Joan of Arc by French artist Paul Dubois emphasizes symbolism while children create their own shields. Dream Boater by Columbia-based artist Jeff Donovan inspires visitors to write haikus using magnetic bubbles. Student art exhibitions are featured in the gallery, as they have been since the CMA moved to Main Street. On view now are gyotaku (the traditional Japanese art of fish printing), pieces by students from Muller Road Middle School in the exhibition, Gyotaku, An Artful Tradition.