Thursday, October 20, 2016

New public artwork welcomes creators to Community Innovation Center

October 3, 2016

New public artwork is on display thanks to a partnership between One Columbia for Arts and History and United Way of the Midlands.

The two organizations united to commission a set of sculptures in conjunction with the dedication of the Community Innovation Center. The sculptures, called “Infinity Extended I and II,” were created by Columbia-based artists Sharon Collings Licata. One sculpture will be posted at each of the two entrances to the Community Innovation Center.

Infinity Extended I and II was created by Columbia-based artist Sharon Collings Licata. (Photo provided)

“Art is a verb. United Way’s mission of uniting people and resources to improve the quality of life in the Midlands is reflected in the interwoven nature of the sculptures,” said Licata, who has a studio in Vista Studios/Gallery 80808 in the Vista. “The two strands reaching upward reference the two aspects of United Way’s process, needs and resources, and how they continue to grow and change.”

The idea is for the Community Innovation Center to become a home for local creators.

“We want our new Community Innovation Center to be a hub for collaboration and creativity in the Midlands. We thank Wells Fargo for funding this project, and we appreciate the beautiful piece of art created by Sharon Licata and One Columbia for their help making this become a reality,” said President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands Mac Bennett.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

VISTA LIGHTS 2013 - NEW WORK BY VISTA STUDIOS' ARTISTS - GRATITUDE

Vista Studios

808 Lady Street

Columbia, SC 29201

www.VistaStudios80808.com

803-252-6134

Gratitude: New Work from the Artists of Vista Studios

The resident artists of Vista Studios are pleased to present “Gratitude”, an exhibition of new work, from November 20th- December 3^rd. The opening reception will be Thursday, November 21^st, from 5-9pm, in conjunction with the Annual Vista Lights Celebration. Woven throughout the show is each artist’s unique response to the theme of “gratitude”. This event provides a unique opportunity to visit with the artists in their studios as well as view their new collection of work.

Vista Studios is excited to welcome Eileen Blyth, studio #11, in her first resident exhibition. "I am particularly grateful these days for a new work space. Change in routine can shake things up. My work incorporates and expresses some of that gratitude."

For some, it is the feeling of thankfulness for gifts given and received, for the joy in creating, and communicating through art.

Ethel Brody loves bold colors and strong designs and continues experimenting with both. She will be showing new work unlike any of her other pieces.

Stephen Chesley has undertaken a nautical series to compliment his landscapes. “They are all interrelated and undervalued as ecosystems.”

Pat Gilmartin will be showing the uniqueness of individuals and a variety of emotions in her series entitled "Echos of Shadows" featuring multiple small faces mounted on a background panel. The panels are lit from above, creating shadows that become part of the overall work.

Robert Kennedy will be showing new charcoal drawings of figure models from the sketch group, About Face at the Columbia Museum of Art, in which he is a member.

Generally using needle and thread for self-expression, Susan Lenz works to articulate the accumulated memory inherent in discarded things. She seeks a partnership with her materials, their purposes, values, and familiar associations. Memory, universal mortality, and personal legacy are central themes. Vintage and recycled materials are combined with meticulous handwork. Susan is drawn to textiles for their tactile qualities and often makes work that is meant to touch and be touched.

Laurie McIntosh’s installation. “Dear people,” uses paper currency as a support and vehicle for sending a thought out into the world, each bill being a portable, roaming, wandering surface of graffiti and personal expression. All proceeds from this project will be donated to Children’s Garden, a childcare center for six weeks to five-year-old children of homeless and needy families in Columbia, SC.

Michel McNinch is exploring gratitude by thinking of the all the gifts she has received and given. She recently returned from studying a new painting technique and palette with Karen Appleton of Chicago IL and is excited to share what she learned. Michel has enjoyed teaching others to paint and her lessons are taught with the principle that everyone can learn to communicate through painting.

Laura Spong explores the theme of gratitude in loss in her painting Don't Cry Because It's Over Be Grateful Because It Was. “Losing something or someone dear is sad, but only because they were a joy and, therefore, should be remembered with joy. It's why loss so often is bittersweet.”

Kirkland Smith continues her assemblage work with a commissioned portrait of the late Dr. Alan Roberts, in which she has memorialized him using his personal items. The items are like memories, reminders of the everyday moments that tell the story of who he was.

Also participating are Heidi Darr-Hope, Sharon Licata, and David Yaghjian.

The Show will run through Tuesday, Dec. 3^rd. Gallery hours are weekdays 11am-3pm and weekends 1-4pm, or by appointment. Please call Gallery 80808 at (803) 252-6134 to confirm hours. Their website is www.VistaStudios80808.com.

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If you would like more information or hi-res images, please call 803-622-7838 or email Kirkland@KirklandSmith.com.