This is the only place in Columbus where fast food is for looking, not eating. Let us explain
The Columbus Museum is bringing classic Americana to local art lovers. The new, upcoming exhibit, Daily Special, The Art of John Miller is a celebration of American diner culture and an ode to classic American cars.
Opening Tuesday, Aug. 12, and running through Jan. 4, 2026, the retro, diner-inspired installation serves up classic American cuisine with hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, sodas, and donuts, all sculpted from glass.
“We are so excited,” said Kristen Hudson, the museum’s director of marketing and public relations. “This exhibition is really an ode to classic American food and the diner culture of the 1950s and ‘60s. John Miller makes these over-the-top, larger‑than‑life sculptures out of glass, and the moment you walk in, you can’t help but smile. It’s nostalgic and it takes you right back to some of your favorite memories.”
More than just art to enjoy
The museum will host Diners, Drive‑In & Daily Specials, on Sept. 20, starting at 4 p.m. The free evening kicks off with a tour led by Miller himself, followed by food trucks, a classic car show, and, after sunset, an outdoor screening of American Graffiti on the museum’s front wall.
Its specially designed for Columbus
The CoMu staff spotted an article about Miller’s work in the New York Times and knew it would be a good fit for this community. Hudson said. “From there, our director Marianne Richter and the curatorial team worked closely with him to put together a show that’s special and different from anywhere else it’s traveled.”
That collaboration went beyond simply showing Miller’s existing works. Together, they created installations just for the Columbus stop. Classic car vinyl murals, diner booths, trays of food that play with scale and proportion. Some pieces are true to size while others are surreally large.
Its Populuxe meets Americana
Richter says the personal story fits perfectly with the museum’s mission: “We bring American art and history to life for the communities of the Chattahoochee Valley. While Miller’s work is incredibly accessible, he’s also a very serious artist. He’s drawing from Pop Art, from 1950s-’60s popular culture, what we call ‘Populuxe,’ and combining that with world-class glass‑making. technique.”
A unique style and technique
Glass art has been having a moment nationally, thanks in part to television competitions and the material’s versatility. Miller, who has taught at the famed Pilchuck Glass School co-founded by Dale Chihuly, combines techniques learned from master glassblowers with his own sense of humor and scale.
Visitors will also find video pieces showing the painstaking process of shaping molten glass into something you might swear came from a diner grill. Museum regulars will also recognize the name Chihuly as the museum owns a piece from his collection.
Daily Specials around town
In September, the fun spills out into town. More than a dozen Columbus eateries, including Golden Donuts, Epic, and Parker’s Pantry, will feature their own “Daily Special” dishes inspired by Miller’s work.
Museum visitors can pick up a menu of participating spots and create their own art-meets-food crawl.
Know before you go
- What: Daily Special: The Art of John Miller
- Where: The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road
- When: Aug. 12, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- Cost: Free admission
Do you have any diner, drive-through or American Graffiti memories? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.