Exhibitions

Our exhibitions reflect the museum’s broad, interdisciplinary approach, educating visitors about the diversity and richness found throughout the South. Find out what you can see, learn and experience on your next visit.

Got an exhibit idea?

The easiest way to propose an exhibit is by using our exhibition proposal form. We love to hear about new research, art, and ideas from our Gamecock community.

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Come explore our exhibits! Find hours of operation, parking information, and more on our visit page.»

Physical Exhibits

Facing the Giant-3 Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey

Image: Shepard Fairey Make Art Not War, (2005) 2019 Screenprint and mixed media collage on paper, 30 x 41 in.

Facing the Giant-3 Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey is an exhibition composed of 30 silkscreen and mixed media prints by the renowned street artist from Charleston, SC. This exhibit is to showcase some of his most prolific pieces that address critical historical issues in which he boldly calls for societal and political change, as well as to empower others to evaluate the issues of oppression, civil rights and abuse of power. This exhibition was organized by the Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA in association with OBEY GIANT ART.

Open now through October 31.

Layers of Legacy: Exploring Daily Life and Colonialism in Cameroon

Image: Headdress, 1890s to 1920s Beads, wicker, cloth Permanent Collection 16.368

Layers of Legacy: Exploring Daily Life and Colonialism in Cameroon investigates the art and culture of the Grassfields of northwestern Cameroon, a country of rich resources exploited by European agents of the transatlantic slave trade and colonizers from the late 1400s until the 1960s. This collection features objects ranging from household items to ritual masks that inspire contemplation of their purpose and the intersection of art with everyday life. Layers of Legacy also encourages reflection on our responsibility as viewers, urging us to consider the circumstances surrounding the objects' acquisition and the ethical implications of our engagement with them.

Co-curated by the undergraduate and graduate students of the museology class on exhibition development, spring 2024, and taught by Dr. Lana Burgess. All objects on exhibition are in the permanent collection of McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

Up through Dec. 14.

Sign of the Times: Political Posters of the 20th and 21st Centuries

Image: Monarch Soap Company “Soap Baby,” Political Novelty Animal fat, potash, paper, and ink Permanent Collection 1996.09.00.01A-B

The political poster had its beginnings in the 1840s when a new lithograph printing process was developed. Hand colored portraits of presidential and vice-presidential candidates were first printed in the 1844 election for candidate Henry Clay and the winner, James K. Polk. The lithographic process improved over the years. During World War I and World War II, poster production was at its height, especially during Franklin Roosevelt’s terms. During the 1950s and 1960s, the “floating head” poster was created where a photograph of the candidate was used, eliminating the need for an artist. Between 1968 and 1972, many famous artists designed posters for fundraisers. However, popularity of political posters began to fade, as marketing candidates moved to television and then social media.

McKissick Museum’s political collection began when the museum was founded in 1976. Over the past forty plus years the collections have grown to over 10,000 items. Most of the collection features ephemera from presidential races.

Up through Dec. 14.

Evolution of Cocky

**Image: “Cocky” Mascot Costume, circa 1982 Foam, faux fur, elastic, mesh Permanent Collection 2014.06.30a-i**

Although the Gamecock has been the University of South Carolina’s Official symbol since 1902, there was no official mascot until 1971. Instead, during the early years, fans would dress up in their own gamecock costumes at the games. Beginning in 1971, a student (and former faculty member) named John Nelson began attending games in a Gamecock costume. The mascot was known as “The Rooster.” In 1974, Big Spur became the new mascot for the Gamecocks. In 1980 Cocky appeared as the new mascot at Williams-Brice Stadium at the start of the football season. Come see these early versions, take a selfie, and post with the hashtag #McKissickMuseum!

Up through Thanksgiving Break.

Natural Curiosity: USC and the Evolution of Scientific Inquiry in the Natural World

Explore your own “natural curiosity” in this exhibit that highlights the treasures of nature, and the evolution of the field of natural history. In the early years as South Carolina College, USC professors and students alike collected samples of animals, vegetables, and minerals to study and grow their understanding of the world around them. Today, visitors can still learn from these authentic objects to dive deeper into the collections and explore the work of Historic Southern Naturalists.

Ongoing.

Digital Exhibits

Child's Play

Showcasing a wide range of toys—everything from teddy bears and Barbies to Lincoln Logs, Legos, and Nintendo 64--Child’s Play will be both a walk down memory lane and an invitation to consider the serious business of play for children and adults. The exhibit mines the many messages we send and receive with toys—especially messages about social norms.

Piece by Piece: Quilts from the Permanent Collection

Since the 1980s, McKissick has documented and celebrated quilting traditions, produced several publications, and developed programs exploring the topic. The quilts in this exhibition illustrate the evolution of this textile tradition over the past two hundred years. From the early use of chintz fabrics to the widespread popularity of solid colors, these quilts reflect traditions with roots in Europe, Africa, and the American South.

Folded paper dolls of President Ronald Reagan

A Laughing Matter

This new digital exhibit from McKissick Museum surveys the use of humor in an array of objects produced for American political campaigns from 1896 to 2016. "A Laughing Matter" contains a variety of political memorabilia. Some of the humor is light-hearted and good-natured. Some of it can be seen as quite dark, having misogynist, homophobic, and even violent overtones. It is a hopeful sign of the times that we now recognize when—from some Americans’ perspectives—political campaign materials meant to be funny in their day, were perhaps not all that funny. Still, as the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.”

A Woman's Right Part 2

Utilizing original research from Guest Curator, Dr. Jennifer Gunter, Director of the South Carolina Collaborative on Race and Reconciliation, this exhibit continues in a digital space. Part 2 of "A Woman's Right" features the stories, objects, photos and more from the fight for women's rights from World War II to the present.

A Woman's Right Part 1

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, McKissick Museum planned a spectacular two-part exhibition entitled "A Woman's Right." This exhibit set out to uncover the challenges and triumphs of women at UofSC. While the museum is closed, curators have been hard at work creating a digital catalog of the 1st part of "A Woman's Right". This downloadable pdf contains the exhibit's original text panels, photographs, captions and more!