COLUMBIA, SC.- The Columbia Museum of Art set a daily attendance record of 2,006 visitors from noon until 5:00 p.m. last Sunday, January 17, which was a free admission day courtesy BlueCross BlueShield of SC. Sunday was the last day for the popular exhibition, Ansel Adams: Masterworks, which opened October 23, 2009 and featured many of Adams' most famous and best-loved photographs that encompass the full scope of his work.

The exhibition attracted many people from outside the greater Columbia area generating strong economic activity for the city. Ten percent of visitors last Sunday were from outside of South Carolina and 55 percent were from outside Richland County.

“We are so pleased that this exhibition attracted such a large audience from outside the city and county, which has a direct and positive effect on improving the vitality of Main Street,” executive director Karen Brosius said. “Our exhibitions and educational programs bring thousands of people to the city center each year, which has an important economic impact as well.”

The Museum’s previous daily attendance record was 1,590 visitors during Turner to Cézanne, which was on view March 6 – June 7, 2009.