Hi! Intern Kellie here again to talk about the 2025 Members’ Summer Exhibition in the Betty & Art Robins Gallery here at CAL. This is one of two members-only shows this year. The Columbia Art League was founded 66 years ago, and ever since, our members have been an essential pillar in creating and sustaining the CAL community. CAL is grateful to every one of its members and their continuous support!
This year's summer exhibition has no overarching theme, allowing a truly eclectic collection of artworks that showcase the vast range of talent within our membership pool. Stepping into the gallery, you’ll find an incredible variety of mediums and styles – from ceramic fish swimming on pedestals to oil paintings and intricate jewelry pieces. With each piece different from the next, everyone is sure to find one that resonates with them.
As an intern here at CAL, I have the wonderful opportunity to spend time with the artworks, for which I am very grateful. Being at CAL is like being at a crossroads of creativity and inspiration! I get to take a peek behind the curtain into the art world, where I learn more about the people in it and what part of the art world I'd like to be a part of.
The first piece I want to showcase is “Midnight Floral” by Curtis Hendricks. This piece is a captivating collection of vibrant blocks of color and flower motifs. They seem to flourish and expand from the wall in a movement that shifts between geometric and organic shapes.
Another piece that caught my eye is “All in a Row” by Diane Epstein. This is a piece that perfectly encapsulates the summer season in a rainbow of 3D ice cream cones. Just looking at them, I can practically hear the distant jingle of an ice cream truck making its way down the street. “All in a Row” evokes in me a sense of childhood nostalgia.
The third artwork I want to highlight is “Jurassic Flight (Archaeopteryx)” by Michelle Marcum. This piece makes me feel like an archaeologist on the brink of an incredible discovery at a dig site. The artwork itself shows a bird-like dinosaur fossil with mushrooms and leaves surrounding it. Looking at it fills me with a morbid curiosity, prompting me to imagine what the magnificent creature Marcum depicts might have looked like when it was alive.
The last piece I want to mention is “Jar” by Peg Craig, a truly lovely little ceramic. This little jar is adorned with blue lines, much like a ball of yarn. I keep similar, small, decorative containers at home as places to store cherished keepsakes. Craig’s piece instantly sparked my imagination with what someone else may choose to put inside this piece. It makes me wonder what precious memories or tiny treasures might find their special place there in the future.
I hope you'll make plans to visit soon to experience the 2025 Members’ Summer Exhibition for yourself. Come and discover your favorite pieces, and celebrate the members who bring so much to the CAL community!
