Columbia Open Studios: A Two Day Art Crawl with Something for All of Y’all

By Jillians Owens
April 4, 2014

One of the best things about making a new friend is getting  invited into their home.  You can never really know someone until you see how they live and what they choose to surround themselves with.  Other people’s sofas, rugs, paint colors, knickknacks, art, and favorite mugs are always somehow much more fascinating than our own.

If you find seeing the homes of normal boring people interesting, then just imagine how stoked you should be to see the private work spaces of several Columbia area artists!  Lucky for you, the 701 Center for Contemporary Art’s annual Open Studio Tour is this weekend!

Check out the  handmade post-modernist lamps, robots, and other quirky hand-crafted art created by Clark Ellefson!

The fun begins with a Preview Party, April 3, 2014, 7-10pm at 701 Center for Contemporary Art, located in historic 701 Whaley on the 2nd floor.  Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.  There will be a cash bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Linda Phillips Catering and music by DJ Arambulance.  

Then, on Saturday and Sunday (April 5th & 6th), 45 artists will open their studios to the public.  This presents a daunting challenge for you, but don’t be afraid.   A lot of these artists are in close proximity of each other (some even share spaces), so you can visit groups of them quite easily.  Maps and Guides are located at the 701 Open Studios Website.   

While you’re in the Vista, you can explore the fragmentary, yet holistic work of Laura Spong.

The tour is totally free of charge, and this is a great opportunity to connect with some of the most creative folks in our city.  Whether you’re a culture vulture who’s totally into Columbia’s art scene, or a complete noob who just wants to do something a little different this weekend, there’s something for you.  You can chat with the participating artists about their process, their upcoming shows, or even their cat (if they happen to have one).  If you enjoy the work you see, you can purchase it right there on the spot.

Perhaps Cocktail Party by Marian Soule has caught your eye.

You can learn more about the artists participating in this event right here.  I hope to see you out and about this weekend.  The weather should be lovely, and with such a variety of art and artists, you’re bound to find something that will affect you in a beautiful and unexpected way.

Jillian Owens is a writer, designer, and eco-fashion revolutionary. A Columbia SC transplant, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BFA in Theatre and English. When she’s not gallivanting about, she’s busy refashioning ugly thrift store duds into fashionable frocks at ReFashionista.net or helping the underserved through her work in Community Impact at United Way of the Midlands.  She also reviews local theater productions for Jasper Magazine and Onstage Columbia.  Any comments, questions, or crude remarks can be directed to [email protected].