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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
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
Gather Cola announces full vendor lineup and what to expect
October 14, 2025
Gather COLA, located at 2191 Pickens Street in Columbia’s BullStreet District, is proud to announce that the full food, beverage, and retail lineup is complete ahead of its late Fall…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, retail, the-arts
Three to be inducted into Lexington Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame on October 16
October 14, 2025
Lexington School District Two invites the public to an induction ceremony this month for three individuals selected to the district’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame. The three — Jeremy Hudson,…
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Southern Exposure—The Fly Swatter
October 9, 2025
By Tom Poland Grandmothers’ Weapon Of Choice The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “fly swatter” as “an implement used for swatting insects, typically a square of plastic mesh attached…
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The Nickelodeon Theater awarded national Science on Screen® grant
October 8, 2025
The Nickelodeon Theater has been selected as one of 41 independent cinemas, museums, and community film organizations across the country to receive a 2025–26 Science on Screen® grant, an initiative…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, marketing-and-communications, media, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Dreher art teacher named South Carolina Art Educator of the Year
October 7, 2025
Dreher High School art teacher Katie Pfrommer has been named the 2025 South Carolina Art Educator of the Year by the South Carolina Art Education Association (SCAEA). The award recognizes…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Museum of Art November 2025 Exhibitions and Events Calendar
October 2, 2025
Columbia Museum of Art November 2025 Calendar EXHIBITIONS Keith Haring: Radiant Vision On view through February 15, 2026 Keith Haring (1958–1990) emerged as a shooting star of the New York…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
SC Philharmonic introduces SCP Go, an all-access pass to symphonic events for only $20 a month
October 2, 2025
Pass includes access to Koger Center performances, chamber events and more The South Carolina Philharmonic has introduced a new all-access subscription option: SCP GO. For just $20 a month per…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Irmo, get ready to vibe
October 2, 2025
Let’s Get It On – Celebrating the Music of Marvin Gaye & Motown Join us Friday, October 24, at the Prisma Health Amphitheater in Moore Park (7473 Church St., Irmo,…
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SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities accepting applications for 2026-2027
October 1, 2025
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a top-ranked public, residential high school for artistically talented students, is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, music, on-the-move, the-arts
Primal Fear
September 30, 2025
By Tom Poland Stumbling Onto A Corpse Besides the solitary confinement of writing, I cut myself off from the world in two places. Hard-to-reach wilderness areas and forgotten churches where…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
