Fashion and fine art: A Q+A with the CMA’s Jackie Adams
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Jackie Adams, Director of Art and Learning at the CMA, spoke to us about the museum’s now-open McQueen exhibition and more. | Photo provided by the Columbia Museum of Art / Victor Johnson
We recently got to sit down with Jackie Adams, Director of Art and Learning at the CMA, to discuss these exciting exhibitions, what it was like to bring them to the museum, and what she hopes visitors will take away from the experience.
First, let’s talk about “Rendez-Vous.”
This exhibition was curated by Barrett Barrera Projects, in close collaboration with Ann Ray, the photographer whose work is showcased in conversation with McQueen’s designs. (More on her, and this fascinating friendship, in a moment.)
This is a traveling exhibition, so before it sashayed to the CMA, it was housed at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA, and will make its way to Nashville this summer. For now, Soda Citizens can experience “Rendez-Vous” right here in our city through January 21, 2024.
“I never thought I would be able to work on an Alexander McQueen exhibition,” says Adams. “Here we are, bringing this globally recognized work to Columbia. It feels so accessible.”
“Rendez-Vous” features 50 garments designed by McQueen and more than 60 photographs taken by Ann Ray, the only photographer permitted exclusive access to document the behind-the-scenes culture of his runway shows.
“They met in 1997 when they were both at the House of Givenchy in Paris,” Adams explains. Ray and McQueen “established a really beautiful, close friendship, and over time developed really deep trust with each other. She was allowed unprecedented access behind the scenes and with him in vulnerable moments.”
We asked Adams what she hopes visitors take away from this exhibition, as well as the upcoming Sergio Hudson show.
“I hope visitors walk away with an appreciation of these individuals’ artistic contributions. I want them to walk away with a greater sense of how fashion isn’t just about what you throw on, but how it leads to deeper levels of expression. Maybe they walk out of it thinking, ‘That was totally unexpected.’”
Which quote best describes your relationship with fashion?
A. “I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” – Carrie Bradshaw B. “I don’t do fashion. I am fashion.” – Coco Chanel C. “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” – Edith Head D. “Anyone who has never met me can tell you that fashion has always been very, very, very, very, very, very, very important to me.” – Tina Fey
South Carolina State Fair | Wednesday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $10-$15 | The SC State Fair starts today — get ready for fair food, rides, and more.
Thursday, Oct. 12
2023 Midlands Real Estate Forecast | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., Columbia | $20-$30 | Listen to experts talk about the real estate market and emerging technology.
Concert in the Gardens | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 5-7 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | $20 | Bring your own blanket or chairs, and pack a picnic if you’d like.
Friday, Oct. 13
Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 5-8 p.m. | WeCo Bottle and Biergarten, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free to attend | The West Columbia biergarten will double the food trucks for the weekend and have a rotation of German brews on tap.
Saturday, Oct. 14
Walk for Life & Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon +5K | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 7:15 a.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $15 | Proceeds from the event will help fund the modernization of Prisma Health’s Baptist Breast Center.
Accessibility Morning at the SC State Museum | Saturday, Oct. 14 | Times vary | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Accessibility Morning returns to the State Museum — and visitors are invited to wear costumes, enjoy trick-or-treating + shows and tours with ASL interpretation.
Here’s why you might want to seal your air ducts this season
Aeroseal® is a patented technology process, invented by NASA, that seals cracks and holes in new and existing air duct systems that could lower your air duct leaks by up to 95% and minimize power usage by up to 30%. | Photo provided by Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration
Did you know? Your HVAC system is only as reliable as the air duct system that assists it.
Here’s how sealing your ducts can help you get the most from your equipment:
Clutch Coffee Bar is expanding with a new location at 308 Columbia Ave. in Lexington, set to open on Saturday, Oct. 21. The growing chain, with multiple spots across the Carolinas, offers a variety of coffee beverages, energy drinks, shakes, and food items, including muffins and specialty drinks. (The State)
Seasonal
Celebrate Halloween early with your canine companion. Join Mast General Store for its Dogs Night Out Howl-O-Ween event, taking place on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dress up your dog for a costume contest, enjoy giveaways, and dog treats, and meet pet-friendly organizations.
Columbia Animal Services announced an adoption special for October — offering $13 adoptions. The local animal shelter shared that the prices are so low it’s scary. Head to 127 Humane Ln. to take home a new furry friend.
The Word
Gut microbiome. Not just a health fad, gut microbiome is the bacteria located within the GI tract that is tied to gut health + can impact your overall quality of life. See why gut health is so important — and how to improve it.*
Seasonal
From fall festivals to live music events to a Zombie Walk & Prom (and more), Fayetteville is celebrating cooler temps and fall feels with a calendar full of things to do this October. See these top October picks + start planning.*
It’s the last day of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days. Shop deals on holiday gifts now, like 40% off the Fire HD Kids tablet that Good Housekeeping named “Best Tablet for Big Kids.”*
Seasonal
🎃 When are you trick or treating?
When are you trick or treating this year in Columbia?
Get your costumes prepared and your sweet teeth ready. | Photo by @barbarefilmandphoto + @turntopaige7
Because Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year, knowing when to take your kids trick-or-treating can be tricky. Well, you’re in for a treat because we’re going to get to the bottom of the spooky schedule by asking you.
When do you plan to trick-or-treat this year?
Friday, Oct. 27
Saturday, Oct. 28
Sunday, Oct. 29
On Halloween — Tuesday., Oct. 31
We also want to know what time you think is best to trick-or-treat. Take the survey below and we’ll share the results with our readers so you’ll know when to suit + sugar up around town with your family.
Long Buy Group B 10.11.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
To perfect your October aesthetic
Eleven + Jane’s Cowboy Up Ghost Earrings. Add a ghostly touch to your look with these Halloween-inspired earrings.
To accessorize any pup
Hannah Chloe Co.'s Pink & Spooky Reversible Bandana. Because pups deserve a hint of Halloween in their wardrobe, too.
To refresh couches, carpets + beds
The Chom Chom pet hair remover. It sucks up way, way more pet hair than we ever thought we had in our house. Get it on sale for Prime Big Deal Days.
As the seasons begin to shift, I can’t help but feel the urge to hit the road. There’s just something about a road trip during this time of year, and I’m turning to readers who consider themselves seasoned adventurers and travel enthusiasts. Where do you think I should venture on my autumnal journey? Are there hidden gems, picturesque landscapes, or charming towns that have captured your heart?
Share your thoughts, recommendations, and favorite road trip destinations with me.
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