Member Spotlights: Celebrating Community at the Columbus Museum of Art
From long-time visitors to Columbus transplants, families, students, and artists of all mediums, each member brings a unique perspective that enriches our spaces and creates an atmosphere of warmth and excitement. Our members play a vital role in making our museum a dynamic and vibrant place where learning, exploration, and creativity thrive. They represent the diverse and innovative community that we are proud to serve and whose stories we are elated to amplify.
Meet some of our members below!
Rachel Sipes
Museums are paramount to young people because they instill an innate capacity for creativity. At the Columbus Museum of Art, we envision a more beautiful, humane, and equitable world that we believe students, like Rachel Sipes, will be the architects of.
A Central Ohio native and current OSU student, Rachel credits the Museum in aiding her transition into adulthood by making her a more well-rounded individual. CMA’s presence in Rachel’s story begins with its approachability. “I love how accessible CMA is to students.” Being centrally located on the bus line gets her to the building but reduced admissions opportunities open the doors to her. “I know there are student discounts and free admission passes at the libraries, but the free Sundays are especially important to me and my friends.”
Once here, the Museum is an oasis for her. Sure, the Café is a welcome break from residence hall food, and she treasures the art, but it goes deeper than that. As a student going through a period of great uncertainty and transition the Museum provides Rachel with a sense of comfort. “CMA is special. It’s a blend of old and new. Even the building’s new addition speaks to that because it mixes the old and new architecture. It shows how the Museum values growth but respects its history.” This serves as a physical reminder that she too can keep an anchored in her past while feeling encouraged to grow and change.
And grow she has. “The interactive touchpoints in the galleries are amazing because you get to engage with the art and build a conversation. It gives you a unique perspective. Coming to CMA has made me approach all aspects of life with a more creative lens. I can stand in someone else’s shoes because of how the Museum has opened my mind.”
Students such as Rachel will play a pivotal role in shaping our community and laying the groundwork for meaningful progress. CMA is proud to be the setting in which young people develop the connections and skills to carry us into a more beautiful tomorrow.
Rachael Farber
Columbus has had the distinct pleasure of welcoming tens of thousands within the past year alone. Whether they come from elsewhere in Ohio or from the other side of the globe, moving to our city can be a challenge. In the wake of this upheaval, many can be left without a sense of belonging.
This was the case for Rachael Farber who, years ago, was a Columbus transplant from Illinois who struggled to put down roots. “You’d think moving from one Midwestern state to another would be easy. But when I moved here, I was lost, desperately lonely and just wanted to go back home.”
But “home” is a complex idea and can be found in surprising places. This became clear to Rachael when the Museum became the catalyst for a happy and settled life in Columbus. “CMA is an amazing space to be alone or to bring others. I would come here to process the grief of moving away from loved ones, learn more about my new home, and form connections with new friends. I invited people I met on outings to CMA and ended up making friendships here that are still with me today.”
Rachael believes that few other museums could have provided what CMA has in her journey. “Visiting museums across the world has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. But CMA is the only art museum I’ve visited that truly demands nothing from you except an open mind. In return for that, it gives you space discover yourself, bond with others, and connect with your community. I would not have stayed in Ohio if it weren’t for CMA.”
Now, if you were to ask Rachael where her home is, she would proudly declare that it’s Columbus. CMA has helped transform the city into a place where she feels a deep sense of belonging, making it her true home.
Trey Pearson
Museums have long been known as outlets to immerse oneself in the beauty and culture of previous generations. However, museums are no longer just repositories of the past, but rather dynamic spaces that help people heal and express themselves in new and meaningful ways. The stage and solace that Columbus-born musician, Trey Pearson, found at CMA is a touching example of this.
When he was 21, Trey began touring as a musician. However, when he came out as gay seven years ago everything pivoted. Embracing his identity ushered in a new era of self-love and a new approach to music, but it also led to a decline in his relationship with his parents.
Years passed with a strained relationship between them, when Trey received devastating news: his father had passed away in a car accident, and his mother was seriously injured. “My parents and I had been really close before I came out, so it was especially hard losing my dad without getting that closure.”
Trey did not weather these storms alone. In the absence of a relationship with his parents, CMA became a place where Trey found acceptance and belonging in a chosen family. Through a connection with our Loud & Proud group, he found a source of community and love that carried him through the uneasiness in his relationship with his parents and set the stage for their eventual reconciliation.
As his mother recovered from the accident and the family grieved their loss, Trey and his mother began to rebuild and heal the hurt between them. The pinnacle of their healing happened at the Museum when Trey hosted his album release party in the Pavilion. The party was the first time his mother watched him perform in the six years since he had come out. “I’m really grateful for that night here because we got to take turns being there for each other and everyone there surrounded my mom and I with love.” Together, they found solace as he played a song he had composed for his parents before the accident, expressing his deep affection for them.
In many ways this moment was years in the making. Trey had dreamed of throwing a party celebrating his work at CMA since he was 21 years old signing a record deal in Nashville. But in many ways art was always going to lead him to happiness. “My mother always saw the value in art, and it prepared me to love myself. I’m not sure I would have gotten to where I am today without art.” The value of art goes beyond aesthetics because, as Trey notes, “art changes us. It challenges us. It teaches us what it means to be humans and how to live this life in the fullest way.
Sarah Song
Life happens at CMA and Sarah Song has lived it to the fullest. “I’ve been coming here since college. Some of my best nights out partying with girlfriends, and even career highlights have all happened here.” But Sarah’s fondest memories at the Museum revolve around her children. “I practically raised my kids here!” She says with a smile.
Asking Sarah to pick her favorite CMA memory is like asking her to pick her favorite child, but she eventually manages to reflect fondly on her family’s experience with CMA’s collection. Mel Chin’s Spirit has served as a growth chart for her children over the years. It’s nostalgic to look at photos of them toddle under the giant barrel mounted in the Upper Atrium. only for her to swipe to the next photo in which they can nearly reach its underbelly.
As their heads grow closer to the bottom of the sculpture Sarah sees the impact CMA has had on her children. “Because they grew up here, they have such a creative eye.” She notes that, as a result of this time in the Museum, at ten years old her son is already observant and expressive beyond his years. “He can thank me later.”
The Museum has not only had a positive impact on Sarah’s kids but also on her experience as a parent. “I just think the Museum is a hidden treasure of Columbus. It lets kids be kids and adults be adults.” The garden has been the setting for many playdates where her kids learn and play with friends while she connects with other parents over lunch or a glass of wine.
Sarah testifies to the Museum’s ability to serve as a platform for growth and connection. CMA is proud to serve individuals of all ages and support the needs of families as they grow and change. “It just has a way of making you feel at home. In conclusion, this place is magical.”
Anjali Chavan and Scott Surovjak
There’s no shortage of romance at the Museum. Staff are often delighted to see the nervous excitement of a couple on their first date, wondering through the galleries. However, the greatest joy can be felt at weddings held at the Museum. It’s a privilege to be the starting line to a lifetime of love for couples like Anjali Chavan and Scott Suroviak
Years ago, an art museum would have been an unlikely venue for their wedding considering Anjali did not see herself represented in the art. A child of Indian immigrants, she grew up feeling that museums were not made by or for people like her. That changed when she began visiting CMA. “I love the way it’s made art accessible to everyone. We decided to get married here because it just felt like us.”
Anjali and Scott’s wedding was a special moment for them as a couple but also marked a first for CMA. While they certainly were not the first to be wed at the Museum, theirs was the first Indian ceremony to take place after the new wing was constructed.
A problem quickly arose during the planning process when a meaningful ritual involving an open flame conflicted with the Museum’s rules for protecting artwork. Though this seemed like a nonstarter, Anjali and Scott fondly recall how CMA staff worked to create an event that was special to them while safeguarding the art and new building.
“In the space of diversity and inclusion none of us have all the answers. There are two ways to react to that. One is to be very brittle, defensive and unaccommodating. But from the start CMA staff realized they were doing something new where they didn’t have all the answers. They were so willing to work with us to make it be what it needed to be.”
Learning and belonging are central to CMA, and we are grateful to have visitors who carry that spirit with them. Anjali and Scott have now even passed it along to their children. As a family they visit often and consistently create new memories together. “We have all these wonderful pictures from our wedding in the galleries and now have pictures of our children in front of those same pieces.”
However, it’s their enrollment in CMA’s Wonder School that has had the greatest impact on them. In one generation Anjali has gone from not seeing her family represented in art museums to quite literally seeing her family’s work in CMA. Not only has Scott had photographs of family on display, but her children have created artwork at Wonder School that can be seen in the Museum. At a young age their children already see themselves in these spaces. “Wonder School has been transformational to our children and to our family. There’s a focus on teaching kids to lead with kindness, and to be curious which has allowed us as parents to learn and unlearn with our kids.”
Being a space where our visitors feel they belong and are safe to learn and love is CMA’s greatest success. It is an honor to be the space where couples and families like Anjali and Scott’s can grow stronger together.
Jim Arter
On any given day you’re likely to see Jim Arter in the Museum’s café or out in the Sculpture Garden enjoying lunch. A lifelong local, Jim has been visiting for nearly 70 years and considers CMA to be a second home.
Jim first came to CMA as a child on annual family visits and has witnessed its evolution firsthand. “The Museum is a living, breathing entity and it’s meant to grow and change.” Not only did the building undergo a metamorphosis with the 2015 expansion but, much to Jim’s delight, the collection has continuously evolved. “Here we have a little of everything with the classic older art movements but also contemporary works. There’s always a search for new knowledge and new pieces in all aspect of art.”
While the more tangible changes have been exciting, the always increasing focus on accessibility and inclusion has brought Jim the most joy. Bringing in community members who might be otherwise unable to visit CMA requires support and outreach that people like Jim have been instrumental in providing. Recognizing the positive impact the arts have on young people, Jim collaborated with the Museum on several children’s programs. “This is our future. You can only nurture things that are made available, and this Museum does not stay isolated in an ivory tower. There’s a focus on bringing in people from the outside whether that be artists or visitors.”
But now that Jim has retired, the Museum continues to be a sanctuary for him. “I come here at least twice a week. It meets my needs especially as someone in retirement living on a limited income. I love the café because it has excellent food at a reasonable price and as a member my parking is covered. Also, these are my people.” He has a jovial relationship with staff and finds camaraderie with fellow visitors that is amplified with every new exhibition. “There’s a certain energy that’s exuded during member previews.”
Jim’s story is a testament to the fact that the Museum is not just a place to see art, but a home for people at all stages of life. Over 70 years of visiting CMA, Jim has not only been witness to the Museum’s evolution but has also been part of it. Now in retirement, the Museum continues to be a place of respite for him. It is a reminder that, like any good home, the Museum is a place that welcomes all who enter its doors. “You have to invite people into your house to make them feel welcome and the Museum always makes me feel that way.”
Demetria Peacher
CMA offers a diverse range of programs that cater to a variety of interests, providing a gateway for individuals to make new friends and leave their mark on the museum. This holds especially true for individuals like Demetria, who has found a community and a sense of purpose through their involvement with the Museum. Despite moving to Columbus in 2012, it took Demetria a decade to finally visit CMA. She admits that “sometimes you just need a reason to go,” and for her, that reason was BAM.
BAM, short for “Bar, Art, Music,” is a Thursday night program that CMA hosts throughout the summer months. It’s an evening of live music, art, food, and beverages in the garden space. “I love it because I’m a social butterfly. It’s also a great opportunity for artists and vendors to show their work in a big atmosphere of friends and family.”
What initially drew Demetria to BAM was the opportunity to socialize and connect with others in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. But what has kept her coming back week after week are the people. “The staff make the Museum special,” she says. “They’ve become new friends of mine, and it’s a great experience coming to the Museum and having a good time with them.”
From the connections she made at her first BAM, Demetria’s involvement with the Museum grew. Last year she volunteered to help plan CMA’s annual Wonderball celebration. Wonderball is a black and white themed party that raises money for the Museum while celebrating creativity through artistic experiences and collaborative performances.
Demetria — who notes she relishes any experience that involves getting dressed to the nines — had surprisingly never attended. “I’d always wanted to come but just never did. I had such an amazing time being part of the volunteer committee and then the party itself was incredible. I spent the whole night running around, meeting new people and connecting with old friends.”
CMA is a place of joy for Demetria, and she is eager to spread that joy to the rest of the community. “The Museum is such a welcoming and open environment. You can just enjoy life at CMA and it’s friendly to all ages. It gives people an outlet and keeps us from having to worry about everyday life. It’s so important for everyone to have that.”
For Demetria that joy was found through volunteering. Volunteers are crucial to the success of any museum. Not only do they help create amazing experiences at CMA but they also help sculpt the institution for the future. “Volunteering holds a special place in my heart. There’s so much need for it in the world and you get so much in return for your time.” From friendships, to fun, and the positive impact made on our community, Demetria has certainly gotten much in return.
