Literacy SC hosts math film at The Nick for Pi Day, gives free tickets to area teachers
February 19, 2026
Literacy SC is kicking off its 2026 Better Together campaign. This year-long series of unique community events will bring education and Columbia together in unexpected ways. First up is a…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: conversations, education, festivals-special-events, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The 8th annual Cottontown Art Crawl returns on March 7th!
February 19, 2026
Annual Festival, Presented by Prisma Health, Enjoys its 8th Year in 2026. The 8th Annual Cottontown Art Crawl, presented by Prisma Health, returns on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10am-4pm…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Ghosts Of Winter
February 18, 2026
By Tom Poland Fall in full tumble gives us a kind of X-ray vision. We see that a leafless land is a lovely land, a surprising land. We see what…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
SC Humanities announces Ask Me Anything State Tour
February 18, 2026
Statewide series introduces new Executive Director and invites public dialogue across all seven congressional districts. South Carolina Humanities announces the launch of its new statewide public engagement initiative, SC Humanities…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: conversations, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Collard Green Memories
February 11, 2026
By Tom Poland Being the chap I was, collard greens’ smell and similarity to the stringy dark-green algae in fish ponds repulsed me. Mom would cook up a mess…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Theatre adaptation of Orlando brings Virginia Woolf’s trailblazing tale of gender and identity to life at USC’s Benson Theatre
February 10, 2026
The USC Department of Theatre and Dance will present Orlando, Sarah Ruhl’s theatrical adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s groundbreaking story of self-discovery, February 26 – March 1 at Benson Theatre. Performance times…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
South Carolina Philharmonic announces two new Board Members
February 9, 2026
The South Carolina Philharmonic announced the appointment of two new community leaders and established contributors to the orchestra’s Board of Directors: Carol Addy and Hassan Anderson. Carol Addy serves as Chief…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission announces leadership transition
February 5, 2026
David Platts to retire from distinguished public service After 33 years serving as a teacher, school administrator and arts administrator, South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director David Platts will retire…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
March events at the Columbia Museum of Art
February 5, 2026
Columbia Museum of Art March 2026 Calendar EXHIBITIONS Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil On view March 21 through June 28, 2026 Rodney McMillian: A Son of the Soil…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Cast Iron Cornbread
February 5, 2026
By Tom Poland Born of fire, master of fire, and survivor of fire, my vintage cast iron cornbread mold fed many a soul. Best I figure it came to…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Sweetest Smoke A Man Was Ever To Smell
February 2, 2026
By Tom Poland To some, the smokehouse remains a symbol of the impoverished, rural South. Not me. I see it as a rustic savior, and I thank the late…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts and Culture reopens nominations for prestigious Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award
January 29, 2026
Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award Returns to Celebrate Columbia’s Cultural Leaders One Columbia for Arts and Culture announced the highly anticipated return of the Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award. After…
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My Lost Geisha
January 28, 2026
By Tom Poland It was the photograph in my father’s war album. Her white kimono. Hair black as onyx. Pale, serene face. Perfect bone structure. Gloss, a sheen upon her…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Red Clay
January 21, 2026
By Tom Poland Drizzle drifted and spritzed as if it were January except it was October. Mists coated my camera. In its viewfinder red mud glistened in rain that…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, golden-strip-news, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Last Open Door
January 14, 2026
By Tom Poland For the first time in my life I was alone in my church. The old Regulator wall clock ticked away as I ticked away the families…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art February 2026 exhibitions and events calendar
January 8, 2026
EXHIBITIONS Keith Haring: Radiant Vision On view through February 15, 2026 Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Sardis Road
January 7, 2026
By Tom Poland Back roads never disappoint me. Such was the case with a road, paved just a tad, but deliciously dirt the rest of the way. As I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art’s new collection galleries open next week
January 6, 2026
The Columbia Museum of Art announces the opening of its newly imagined collection galleries, the final phase of a legacy renovation project a year in the making. Capping off the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art’s new collection galleries open in January
December 19, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art announces the opening of its newly imagined collection galleries, the final phase of a legacy renovation project a year in the making. Capping off the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, headlines, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The Nickelodeon Theater presents Local Cinema Studios’ The Grand Strand, an award-winning South Carolina-made film
December 19, 2025
The Nickelodeon Theater presents a special theatrical run of The Grand Strand, an award-winning independent film produced by Columbia-based nonprofit Local Cinema Studios (LCS). The film will screen January 15–29,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The South Carolina Philharmonic announces Palmetto Citizens Educator Discount
December 18, 2025
Half-price discount for all SC Phil concerts at Koger Center for the Arts The South Carolina Philharmonic (SC Phil), in partnership with Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, announced a special offer for…
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SCRA announces new leadership promotions
December 18, 2025
South Carolina Research Authority has announced two recent promotions. Patti Mack is now director of finance and administration. Teresa Hinson is now the director of governance, risk, and compliance. “Patti…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission designates state’s 13th cultural district in Summerville
December 11, 2025
The South Carolina Arts Commission announced that a downtown portion of Summerville was designated by its board of commissioners as the 13th South Carolina Cultural District The proposal for the…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art January 2026 exhibitions and events calendar
December 10, 2025
EXHIBITIONS Keith Haring: Radiant Vision On view through February 15, 2026 Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York art scene in the 1980s. His signature…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
The City of Columbia and BizArts present A Christmas Story, a holiday celebration supporting Richland County First Steps
December 9, 2025
7Sunday’s BizArts, in partnership with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities, announced BizArts: A Christmas Story—an uplifting holiday community celebration, nonprofit and small business showcase, and fundraiser supporting…
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CMA announces major gift from the Joseph Bruce Collection of Georgian Porcelain
December 4, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art announced a major gift of the Joseph Bruce Collection of Georgian Porcelain, one of the most comprehensive private holdings of New Hall porcelain in the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
My Fried Chicken History
December 3, 2025
By Tom Poland As evening shadows fell, I made my way home through woods. Overpowering the peppery smell of autumn leaves, the chicken frying in Mom’s cast iron skillet…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Amazon announces Best Books of 2025
December 3, 2025
Each year, I like to publish Amazon’s Best Books of the Year and buy my wife the No. 1 book as a Christmas present. Looks like Buckeye, by Patrick Ryan,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Artist in Residence Monica Cioppettini
December 2, 2025
From November 23 to December 20, 2025, 701 CCA welcomes Monica Cioppettini as our Artist-in-Residence. Monica is a multidisciplinary artist whose work breathes new life into discarded jewelry and found objects, transforming them…
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SC Philharmonic returns with 3rd annual “Home for the Holidays”
December 2, 2025
Columbia’s new favorite holiday tradition celebrates the wealth of artistic talent in the Midlands The South Carolina Philharmonic presents Home for the Holidays on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM at…
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NOMA announces Light Up Cookie Crawl Festival on Saturday, December 13th
December 2, 2025
Who: City of Columbia, The NOMA Foundation, Chavis Painting, Palmetto Life Church, and participating NOMA businesses. What/Where: Light Up NOMA Cookie Crawl — a celebration of shopping, entertainment, dining, and of course,…
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Columbia Streams Art Local Artist Holiday Art Market now located at Finlay Park
December 2, 2025
The Columbia Streams Art public art program announces that the first holiday market to support local artists will now be held at Finlay Park. This local artist holiday market will…
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Highway Song, Part II
November 25, 2025
By Tom Poland A Sunday Drive Highways 321 and 301 meet my criteria for back roads. Little traffic. Lots of abandonment. Old stuff getting older. Those 1950 snowbirds heading…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts & Culture hosts festive holiday party and Open Studios event
November 25, 2025
One Columbia for Arts & Culture invites the community to its annual Holiday Party, a festive celebration of art and the holiday season. The event will take place during First…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Travel the world in a night at the CMA’s Anniversary Gala
November 20, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art celebrates 75 years of creativity and community with a night of cocktails, art, and memories at the 75th Anniversary Gala on Friday, January 16, from…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
Original student-created dance takes spotlight at USC’s Student Choreography Showcase
November 20, 2025
The Betsy Blackmon Dance Program at USC will present its fall semester Student Choreography Showcase, December 2–5 in Drayton Hall Theatre. This bi-annual concert features nine original dance works created by…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Finlay Park grand re-opening – Saturday & Sunday, November 15-16
November 14, 2025
As excitement builds for the Grand Re-Opening of Finlay Park, the City of Columbia has released important details on parking, shuttle transportation and safety guidelines for the celebration set for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, festivals-special-events, food, government, headlines, hospitality, life, music, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
Trustus Theatre presents Into the Woods, a magical journey through fairy tales and consequences
November 13, 2025
Trustus Theatre Presents Into the Woods, a Magical Journey Through Fairy Tales and Consequences Trustus Theatre invites audiences to journey Into the Woods this holiday season with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony…
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Where The Dead Live On
November 12, 2025
By Tom Poland On a sultry August Sunday I drove up on Shady Grove Methodist Church. Seeing it resurrected James Agee’s “Shady Grove, Alabama, July 1936,” his description of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Keith Haring Arts & Draughts radiates fall fun
November 9, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art announces the return of Arts & Draughts, the museum’s biannual block party, on Friday, November 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This signature CMA…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, music, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Dick Harpootlian launches Dig Me a Grave book tour
November 9, 2025
Tour begins Dec. 16 in Columbia, SC, the city where Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, South Carolina’s most prolific killer and the book’s protagonist, was put to death nearly 35 years…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: law, on-the-move, the-arts
One Columbia for Arts and Culture welcomes new artists to Downtown Garage Studio
November 6, 2025
One Columbia for Arts and Culture has announced the second cohort of artists-in-residence at the Garage Studio, an innovative workspace for emerging artists located in a repurposed police substation. The new…
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Winter’s Rainy Windows
November 5, 2025
By Tom Poland I have long admired the work of a fighter pilot turned writer. He wrote under the pen name James Salter. James Arnold Horowitz volunteered for combat duty…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Return To Pawleys
October 28, 2025
By Tom Poland Sunday lunch at the Sea View Inn. Forty-five years it had been since my daughters and I were together at Pawleys. While eating I thought about our…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Entrepreneur Minute – David Platts, SC Arts Commission
October 27, 2025
The Who’s on the Move, Entrepreneur Minute is an interview in support of the undeniable impact that entrepreneurs have on our communities. In this series you will see a diverse group…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: entrepreneurship, on-the-move, podcast, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art announces planned departure of Executive Director
October 23, 2025
The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) announces the planned departure of Executive Director Della Watkins, who will step down from her role in April 2026. Watkins has served as executive…
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S.C. Arts Commission, David Platts, executive director elected to national leadership role
October 23, 2025
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) announced the election of a new chair and nine members to its board of directors. As part of a rigorous national nomination…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
701 Center for Contemporary Art presents Part II of its eighth South Carolina Biennial
October 20, 2025
701 Center for Contemporary Art (701 CCA) announced the opening of the 701 CCA SC Biennial Part II, the second installment of its eighth survey exhibition showcasing the work of…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
South Carolina Gingerbread House Competition returns for third sweet season
October 16, 2025
The 3rd Annual South Carolina Gingerbread House Competition invites bakers, artists, designers, local businesses, and holiday enthusiasts of all ages to showcase their creativity in a celebration of community and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, food, on-the-move, the-arts
Museum gallery lighting project enters final phase
October 14, 2025The Columbia Museum of Art is entering the final phase of its sweeping gallery lighting renovation, a visionary project that began January 21, 2025. Coinciding with the museum’s milestone 75th…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: construction, entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
