Early bird deadline Dec. 1 for discounted registration fee

COLUMBIA, SC – Visual artists in Richland and Lexington Counties can now register to participate in Columbia Open Studios, presented by 701 Center for Contemporary Art (701 CCA). Deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 18, with an early bird discount on registration fees for artists who sign up by Dec. 1; all artists should register online at www.columbiaopenstudios.org. Columbia Open Studios is a free, self-led driving tour of visual artists’ studios in Richland and Lexington Counties, presented by 701 CCA on Saturday, April 2, 2016, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 3, 2016. 12 pm – 6 p.m.

Open Call for Artists

Designed to create new marketing opportunities for artists and further Columbia, S.C., as a regional, cultural tour destination, any artist in Richland or Lexington Counties with a dedicated working studio is invited to register for Columbia Open Studios. Artists will open their studios to the public for two days on April 2 and 3, 2016 to talk about their techniques, share their stories and even demonstrate their artistic processes if desired. Artists of all visual art disciplines are encouraged to register for this non-juried event, and artists keep 100% of the proceeds of any work sold to visitors during Columbia Open Studios.

Fees

Early bird registration is open until December 1, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. and is $50 + $25 refundable deposit for 701 CCA members, and $100 + $25 refundable deposit for non-members. Regular registration is extended to December 18, 2015 at 11:59 p.m., and is $100 + $25 refundable deposit for 701 CCA members, and $150 + $25 refundable deposit for non-members. Fees cover statewide marketing including full-color brochure, website, social media, public relations campaign and local event logistics. Artists who are not yet members of 701 CCA will receive a complimentary one-year Family level membership to the center.

For questions about registering as a participating artist for 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, contact Joe Kendrick at [email protected] or 803.319.9949.

A Weekend of Studio Visits

In presenting Columbia Open Studios, 701 Center for Contemporary Art seeks to provide easy access to the wealth of fine artists in Columbia, Richland and Lexington Counties; generate excitement about area artists from first-time buyers and seasoned collectors alike and further establish Columbia, S.C., as a regional cultural tourism destination. For more information: http://www.columbiaopenstudios.org.

About 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, April 2-3, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 3, 2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

This free, self-led driving tour of fine artists’ studios throughout Columbia and Richland and Lexington Counties showcases the Midlands’ talented visual art community. Artists will open their studios and be on hand to share their personal stories, backgrounds and share their tools and techniques. Artists’ work will be available for purchase at zero markup. Visit Columbia Open Studios to find information on participating artists and to map out your Columbia Open Studios tour.

A Preview Party will be held at 701 Whaley Thursday, March 31, 2016, 7:00-9:00 p.m. as a kickoff for 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios.

About 701 CCA
701 Center for Contemporary Art (701 CCA) is a nonprofit visual art center that promotes understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of contemporary art, the creative process and the role of art and artists in the community via its gallery & artist-in-residence program at historic 701 Whaley in Columbia, South Carolina. Admission to all exhibitions is free. 701 CCA also encourages interaction between visual arts and other art forms. For more info visit http://www.701cca.org.

701 CCA is located at 701 Whaley Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. During exhibitions, hours are Wed, 11–8; Thu-Fri, 11-5; Sat, 9-5; Sun, 1-5. For more information visit http://www.701cca.org.