Mission: To provide cultural and artistic experiences in the visual arts for all ages and interest levels. Art classes, ranging from one day to 10 weeks, are offered year-round in ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, marbling and stained glass. Four two-week art camps are held each summer. Monthly exhibitions in the Main Gallery showcase artwork by locally and nationally known artists. Partnership with local organizations is a vital component to the center's mission of offering diverse activities, exhibitions and programming.
Latest accomplishments: Continuation of summer theme exhibitions to give artists a starting point from which to create and develop a work according to one's vision and style. "Doors and Windows" was this year's theme. In September, the exhibition "Art of Ceramics" featured 175 works from collectors in Howard County, including pieces by Peter Voulkos, Pablo Picasso and Paul Solder. Also this year, a renovated darkroom opened for classes and rentals.
On the horizon: Beginning next spring, renovation of current storage space to create a 540-square-foot gallery with 27-foot-high walls and a lighted outdoor sculpture space. In April, an "Art Exchange" will be held in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris, France, in collaboration with the Columbia Sister Cities Program. And next summer, the center hopes to initiate a computer-arts program for adults and children.
About the center: Operating budget: $297,000.
Where and when:
6100 Foreland Garth, Columbia. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Chris Innes, chairman of the advisory board: "The Columbia Art Center celebrates art and creativity in the lives of the Columbia community. It continually seeks ways to grow to meet the changing needs of all artists in any field. ... The extensive selection of course offerings for all ages provides a chance for anyone of any skill level and background to challenge themselves to learn new technical skills working with their hands, as well as to try new creative thought processes. ... And our two established exhibition spaces provide a professional showplace for local, regional and national artists of all skills and nationalities."
Members of the advisory board
Arlene Aiello
Paul Bordenet
Peg Browning
Kini Collins
Barbara Cooper
Kathy Deegan
Betty Heald
Julia Heiner
B. J. Mandos
Betty and Don Myers
Katie Viglotti
Pub date: 12/20/98