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April Issue 2007
Columbia, SC's 16th Artista Vista - Apr. 26 & 28, 2007
If it's the last weekend in April, it must be Artista Vista, Columbia, SC's annual gallery walk and the largest visual arts event in the Midlands.
Artista Vista is a free two-day event that kicks off on Thursday, Apr. 26 from 5-9pm, as 11 artists' galleries and studios keep their doors open to the public. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres as they stroll through the Congaree Vista, Columbia's arts and entertainment district. The event continues on Saturday, Apr. 28 from 11am-3pm.
Participants include Carol Saunders Gallery, City Art, Gallery at Nonnah's, One Eared Cow Glass, if ART Gallery, Watermark Gallery, The Gallery at DuPRE, I. Pinckney Simons Gallery, McCrory Galleri, Gallery 80808/Vista Studios and the South Carolina State Museum.
Twenty-five years ago, the Vista consisted of abandoned warehouses, mothballed textile mills and defunct rail terminals. Artists moved in to take advantage of low rents and open spaces. Since then, things have never been the same. Today, the artists' studios are surrounded by a thriving social scene that includes some of the city's top restaurants and bars.
In 1991, Vista artists got together to offer a happenstance gallery crawl. Since its humble beginnings, Artista Vista has grown from a minor studio showcase to a major draw for artists and collectors alike. The event is not only a chance to showcase artists from the Midlands, but also from across the Carolinas, from Georgetown to Greenville, and even from Europe. While local artists make up the lion's share of the exhibits, Artista Vista has presented works from as far away as Japan.
Artista Vista is entirely organized and run by the local artists and galleries. Unlike some "invitation only" studio events which carry a hefty price tag, Artista Vista is unique in its public access - not just to the arts, but to the artists themselves. "I love to mingle with the artists and pick their brains about their style and influences," says Liane Baly, a public relations executive in Columbia. "It's what makes the event down to earth," adds her husband Paul. "Instead of guessing what the artist was thinking, all I have to do is ask."
Gallery crawls are not unique to Columbia, though few cities can boast such diverse art as that on display in the Vista. One of Artista Vista's more popular draws is One Eared Cow Glass. Visitors come to watch owners and artists Tommy Lockart and Mark Woodham as they work 2,300-degree molten glass into perfume bottles, lamps, vases and other hand-blown sculptures.
Adding a certain cachet to the gallery walk, both the South Carolina State Museum and the South Carolina Philharmonic sponsor events in conjunction with Artista Vista. The State Museum hosts its annual Congaree Art Festival on Apr. 28, from 9am-5pm, which showcases works for sale from some of the state's best-known studio artists. Meanwhile, the Philharmonic brings a sweet note to the event with the performance of a musical score influenced by art. In turn, local artists revive the close connection between music and art by contributing pieces inspired by the Philharmonic's selection. This year, the Philharmonic is presenting "Painted Violins," in which 32 artists have painted authentic European violins, which will be displayed in the Vista during April, then auctioned for the benefit of the Philharmonic on May 1.
The following is a description of what will be on view during Artista Vista: The Congaree Art Festival will feature work by some of South Carolina's best studio artists. See demonstrations and purchase pine needle baskets, paintings, pottery, mosaic and compositions. Enjoy 100 paintings by important Columbia artist Edmund Yaghjian; at The Gallery at DuPRE will be New Happenings, a group show featuring regional and local artists' works in various media and displayed in one of the Vista's most historic buildings. Works from the "Painted Violins" project will be on display; if ART Gallery will show works by David and Edmund Yaghjian; Watermark Gallery will offer modern art jewelry by Sara Bonk, micro-nature photography by Beth Hinson, and a "Painted Violin" by Anastasia Chernoff; and I. Pickney Simons Gallery will present Southern Landscapes, painted with the unique visual interpretation of the gallery's award-winning artists. Also featured will be a "Painted Violin".
McCrory Galleri will offer Three in Search of a Studio, showcasing painters Napoleon Jones-Henderson and John Wright, and sculptor Leon Woods. "Painted Violins" will be on display; at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios will be Spring Exhibition, with work by Ethel Brody, Pat Callahan, Stephen Chesley, Heidi Darr-Hope, Jeff Donovan, Pat Gilmartin, Robert Kennedy, Susan Lenz, Sharon Licata, Yvonne Ruff, Laura Spong, David Yaghjian and Don Zurlo, including paintings, ceramic and stone sculpture, fiber art, life drawings as well as mixed media collages and constructions; City Art will present School's Out IV: Emerging Artists of the Southeast, featuring work that encompasses a variety of media and exemplifies exciting new directions in contemporary art, also featuring a "Painted Violin"; Carol Saunders Gallery will offer Southern landscape paintings by Stephen Chesley and also a Painted Violin on display; One Eared Cow Glass will offer glass blowing demonstrations, Thursday from 6-9pm. All of the studio's latest works will be on display; and the Gallery at Nonnah's will feature works by Edie Biddle, Jennie Branham, Ingrid Carson, Jan Fleetwood, Bonnie Goldberg, Betty Mandell, Michel McNinch and Marcie Murray.
For further info check our SC Gallery listings,
call 803/269-5946 or visit (www.artistavista.com).
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