Binder Podcast

In celebration of National Poetry Month, producer Drew sits down with writer-in-residence and podcast host Ray McManus to discuss his latest book, The Last Saturday in America. Set in a nation on the precipice of great change, this book of poetry is an examination of suburban neighbors, bullies, gun violence, and vasectomy appointments. McManus draws a portrait of American masculinity in the face of political division, pandemic, and cultural warfare.

For the third season of More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series, Dr. Birgitta Johnson returns with musicologist and Miami University Distinguished Professor of Music Dr. Tammy Kernodle to talk about Kernodle's musical project “She Sang Freedom,” chronicling the journey of Black women as the producers of great music over the last four centuries. The two discuss the lasting relevance of freedom music, the importance of women as cultural workers, and the impact of contemporary female musicians like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Featuring excerpts from a live performance recorded at the Columbia Museum of Art in February 2024.

In celebration of Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit, CMA Director of Art and Learning Jackie Adams hosts the team behind the exhibition and the iconic fashion brand for a series of exclusive interviews. Up first, community curator Megan Pinckney Rutherford stops by to talk about the origins of the exhibition and her love for South Carolina's hometown hero. Then Sergio Hudson co-owner Inga Beckham and co-creative director Charles Lynch join Jackie to talk about the Sergio Hudson Collections' humble beginnings and what it takes to operate one of the top up-and-coming luxury brands in the United States. After the break, Megan returns to talk with her friend and famed creative director and designer Sergio Hudson about the fashion industry, working with his muse Keke Palmer, the "Michelle Obama moment," and how it feels to have an exhibition of his art in his home state.

In today's episode, Director of Art and Learning Jackie Adams sits down with artist and photographer Ann Ray, whose work is featured in the current fashion and photography exhibition Rendez-Vous. For 13 years, she was the only photographer permitted to document the behind-the-scenes culture of Alexander McQueen's runway shows and atelier. Ann shares her memories of working with the iconic fashion designer along with insight into her artistic practice in this extended interview. Lee Alexander Mcqueen and Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous is organized and produced by Barrett Barrera Projects.

Engagement Specialist Dana Witkoski takes over the Binder studio with her friend and longtime CMA collaborator Patti O'Furniture to talk about drag performance as an art form and as a civil service, plus what makes Columbia special. 

Party on, Ray! Today's Binder podcast is all about the museum's biannual block party, Arts & Draughts. Manager of Engagement Wilson Bame drops in to talk about what it takes to put on this signature event, unsanctioned activity with fountains and birthday cake, and what to expect for November 10. After the break, Ray gets this party started in a montage of guest interviews recorded in March 2023 at the last Arts & Draughts. Crank your speakers to 11 and check out this curated spotify playlist of musical performers featured at Arts and Draughts events from 2019 to 2023: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/249v1TAwpAZx1twcdRTvdF

Cheers to volunteers! In today's Binder podcast, Ray takes some time to honor those who donate theirs in an episode dedicated to volunteerism. Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook drops in to tell her CMA origin story and reflect on her time as a member of the museum's Docent Corps before docent and music instructor Emily Creedle stops by to chat about gallery tours, relating music to art, and what it's like to share art with others. After the break, Jennifer Bartell Boykin joins Ray to share her poem "Leaves Like Prayer" and talk about what it's like to be Columbia's new poet laureate and how giving back runs in her family.

Director of Art and Learning Jackie Adams is joined by Resurgence and Renaissance curator Brittany Taylor Driggers to talk with archeologist Steve Baker about his experiences working to create the 1973 Catawba pottery exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art and what has changed in the 50 years since. This episode of Binder podcast is funded in part by SC Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This episode is also funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tina Williams Brewer weaves ideas related to African diasporic history, spirituality, migration, and shared heritage into vibrant, hand-stitched quilts. Today's episode explores her exhibition Tina Williams Brewer: Stories of Grace. Ray sits down with exhibition curator Michael Neumeister to talk about creating this exhibition and what makes Brewer's work stand out among quilters today. Later, producer Drew chats with the artist to learn about why gathering community lore is so important to her process.

Tαnakɛ! Producer Drew goes back on the road to visit the Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, SC. Joined by NASC director Stephen Criswell, assistant curator Sharon Simmers-Norton, artist and designer Alex Osborne, and storyteller and language historian Beckee Garris, Drew learns more about the art, history, and culture of the Catawba in honor of the exhibition Resurgence and Renaissance: Art of the Catawba Nation Since 1973. This episode of Binder podcast is funded in part by SC Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This episode is also funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commissionwhich receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This episode features excerpts of a performance by the Catawba Men's Drum Group recorded on October 2022, courtesy of the Native American Studies Center. Binder podcast is a production of the Columbia Museum of Art. You can learn more about CMA exhibitions, programs, membership, and more at www.columbiamuseum.org

"The American Songster" Dom Flemons joins series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson for the season finale of More Than Rhythm. The two talk about sourcing music from archives, the lasting influence of folk and roots music, and the importance of storytelling. Featuring excerpts from Flemons' live performance at the Columbia Museum of Art in June 2023. 

The new episode of Binder is going off script. Host Ray McManus and producer Drew have a casual conversation in the recording studio about fitting in at an art museum, living in the South, and free admission. Later in the episode, hear a reading of McManus' poem "Empty Church" inspired by CMA Collection piece Grey Conception #2 by Jerry Okimoto. 

The South's got something to say in the latest Binder Podcast. Producer Drew joins Ray to introduce the exhibition Our Own Work, Our Own Way: Ascendant Women Artists in the Johnson Collection before taking a road trip up to Spartanburg, SC, to chat one-on-one with The Johnson Collection's chief operating officer, Sarah Tignor, about the collection, the South, and women in the arts. After the break, USC professor Julia Liz Elliott returns to the podcast to talk about her formative experiences with Southern women writers and what that label means today.

CMA Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook drops in to host a special edition of Binder Podcast all about chamber music. First, she chats with CMA Chamber Music on Main Artistic Director Andrew Armstrong about the concert series, how Chopin helped heal his heartbreak, and having a sense of humor. After the break, Armstrong returns with Grammy Award-winning violinist James Ehnes to talk about practice, passion, and how to tell a joke.

South Carolina Lowcountry soul musician Mahoganëë joins Dr. Birgitta Johnson to talk about her unique style of “Funky Organik Soul,” and her latest album Textures of a Southern Soul (a Gullah Geechee Soul) Vol. 1. Featuring excerpts of a performance by The Mahoganëë Xperience. 

Ray sits down with founder of the nonprofit organization Bullets and Bandaids Robert LeHup to talk about veteran affairs, healing emotional scars, and how art can build a bridge between the military and civilian world through dialogue. After the break Robert is joined by Afghan interpreter Zia Ghafoori, poet Ed Madden, and artist Dre Lopez to discuss the Bullets and Bandaids project and the weight and responsibility of interpreting the stories of veterans.  Binder is a production of the Columbia Museum of Art. Resources: National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder website: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/ Disaster Distress Hotline: Call or Text 1 (800) 985-5990 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1 (800) 273-8255 or Chat Online

Binder is back! On today's episode, producer Drew chats with CMA commissioner and docent Nancy Tolson about why she loves Black art, and Forward Together collector Patrick Diamond stops by to talk about the "magic carpet ride" of collecting it. Later, enjoy an excerpt from a conversation with art historian Dr. Frank Martin and acclaimed South Carolina artist Dr. Leo Twiggs. Binder is a production of the Columbia Museum of Art.

Violinist-arranger-composer-conductor and Columbia native Nicole Neely joins series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson to talk classical music, the Black church, and arranging for artists such as Lauren Hill and Beyoncé. Featuring excerpts of a performance by Neely's string quartet, The Black Exchange.

This new Binder Podcast has the Kress to impress. Ray gets a crash course in Renaissance and Baroque art with the University of South Carolina's Anna Swartwood House. After the break, poet Libby Bernadine stops by to talk spirituality, art, and her new book House In Need Of Mooring. Read Anna's Article here: https://theconversation.com/the-long-history-of-how-jesus-came-to-resemble-a-white-european-142130 Binder podcast is a production of the Columbia Museum of Art

In this special presentation of Binder podcast, producer Drew and  Columbia Design League liaison Jackie Palmieri celebrate the CDL's 25th anniversary. Then Jackie joins current CDL board president Anna Sveinbjornsdottir for a preview of what's next for the design league.  After the break, CDL founders Tom Savory and Adrienne Montare stop by to discuss the group's history and some of their favorite memories. Learn more about the Columbia Design League: https://www.columbiamuseum.org/belong/affinity-groups/columbia-design-league Binder podcast is a production of the Columbia Museum of Art