Permanent collection works installed in the Taylor House
Recently I took a trip to Charlotte to visit the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, which opened earlier this year. Throughout the museum, the story of the Bechtler family is told—a story involving several generations of passionate art collectors, who formed friendships with artists and supported them through their purchases. The museum is the product of Andreas Bechtler, who received a portion of his family’s collection, added to it on his own, and decided to share it with the public. While the family’s commitment to collecting 20th century art made this museum possible, I wonder if the Bechtlers could have envisioned that someday, the pieces they owned and loved would be housed in a museum of their own, to be enjoyed by others.
This year the CMA is proud to celebrate its 60th anniversary. This milestone provides us with an opportunity to look back on how far we’ve come, and how exactly we came to where we are now. Our museum’s story is different than the Bechtler’s; rather than being the product of a few individuals’ concentrated efforts, I think of our museum as an example of what can accomplished by a committed group of supporters, working steadily over time. As a newer member (16 months and counting!) of the museum’s staff, I’m amazed that we have staff members who have been with the museum for 10, 20, and even 30 years. I’m equally amazed that we have museum members and supporters who have been involved with us for just as long. I often hear visitors share memories of being at “the old house,” our former location in the Taylor House on Bull and Senate Streets. I have a few memories of my own from then, of going on field trips to the museum and its attached planetarium. It’s hard for me to imagine how exciting it must have been for the museum to have grown from its original home to our current facility—so exciting that 25,000 people visited on opening weekend in July 1998. Moreover, I’m honored by the efforts of our longtime supporters, because their past investments in the museum have made possible the place where I now work and learn.
Permanent collection works installed in the Taylor House
The museum has come a long way in 60 years, but we can’t go another 60 without the same level of support and involvement. I hope you’ll celebrate with us by enjoying some of the great programs still to come this spring, which you can read about at http://www.columbiamuseum.org/60for60.php. While many of these events are free, our museum members get discounted rates on other concerts, classes, and programs, plus free gallery admission for a full year and special event invitations and mailings—all for as little as $35. When turning 60 looks this good, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
Melanie Neil, Visitor Services
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