Get Your Culture On at Artista Vista!
April 24, 2014
By Jillian Owens
Spring is here. No, really. I think it actually is. I really and truly believe our 30-something degree nights are over (for real) and we can all put our SAD lamps and electric blankets away until next year. This is just in time for one of my favorite art festivals here in Columbia, Artista Vista!
The Vista has been an arts district since the early ’80s when a bunch of broke artists who were willing to ignore the overall dodginess of the area for cheap rent began moving into the then-abandoned warehouses and storefronts. Galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops began to crop up, and the Vista was made considerably less dodgy. Though rents have gone up considerably, that original creative vibe has fueled this corridor’s development.
Artista Vista is a super fun weekend-long Gallery Crawl. This is an annual event that started 23 years ago, and has grown to be quite huge. It all kicks off Thursday, April 24 from 5pm-9pm and continues through Saturday, April 26, when several merchants, bars, and galleries will open their doors to share the work of some pretty terrific local artists. Here’s how it works: Just download the map right here (link: http://www.artistavista.com/UserFiles/art/Documents/Final%20AV%20Map.pdf) and wander about checking out different art, music, and readings. Pretty simple, eh?
The calendar of events is located here. If you’re unfamiliar with The Vista, each venue is completely unique, and unless you’re completely unpleasable, you’re bound to find one you enjoy.
Here are my top recommendations:
Anastasia and Friends will be throwing a reception for one of Columbia’s most famous visual artists, Blue Sky at Motor Supply Company & Bistro. If you’re a fan of amazing cocktails and cool people, you should stop by!
Lewis & Clark will have plenty of post-modernist art lamps, robots, and other fun illuminated things for you to peruse. This phenomenally cool converted work/live/studio space is worth visiting just for how clever and quirky it is, but musical theatre fans will enjoy a few numbers by Trustus Theatre’s talented company.
One Eared Cow will have absolutely no cattle of any kind, but they will be showing glass blowing demonstrations. If you’ve never seen this process this is a must for you.
Studio Cellar will be featuring an installation by fiber artist Susan Lenz (who also happens to be one of my favorite artists) and live music by John the Revelator. Grab a glass of vino and enjoy!
There are plenty of other venues to explore and many other artists from several different disciplines to discover. The weather is lovely (and it’s really going to stay that way), and I hope to see you out and about this weekend!
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].
