The partners hope the innovative program will inspire the reimagining of spaces in Columbia, particularly in relation to the arts. They think demonstrates that government, private, and non-profit partnerships have significant potential to support the arts community.
“Although Columbia is booming with new developments, some of the best spots are the ones that we reimagine and repurpose,” Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said. “We are excited to partner with One Columbia to revitalize this space and give our local talented artists the space and spotlight they deserve.”
The former police substation, connected to the Taylor Street garage, will now serve as a studio for four to five artists, including One Columbia’s public artist-in-residence Lauren Andreu. Local artist Keith Tolen will be present at the space on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24 for open studios.
This April, One Columbia will invite emerging artists to apply for the opportunity to be part of this space. A diverse panel will carefully review the applications and select the artists for the opportunity.
“Our goal is to break down barriers faced by local artists, who are the backbone of our arts and culture community,” Pamela Zeljak, One Columbia’s public art administrator, said.
Support from AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and other private funders will allow for One Columbia to provide artists with the necessary tools to work, create, and thrive. Xavier Blake, executive director of One Columbia, is eager to welcome artists into the space, but recognizes there is work to do.
Speaking to the partnership’s potential, Blake said, “We believe that this emerging artist space will not only contribute to the local economy by helping artists establish their careers, but also generate economic activity through art sales and increased tourism in the area. Art has the power to bring about positive change and foster community, and this investment in our emerging artists will be a vital part of that. We are incredibly excited about what the future holds.”
One Columbia for Arts and Culture is a 2022 recipient of the S.C. Governor’s Award for the Arts in the organization category. Its mission is to advise, amplify, and advocate for the unified arts and culture community in Columbia. They work to promote collaboration through shared celebrations of Columbia’s arts and historic treasures, raise the quality of life for all our citizens, attract tourist dollars to our city, and further enhance the city’s downtown and surrounding areas. Read more about One Columbia here.
One Columbia’s Public Art Administration Internship and Residency
Columbia, S.C. – One Columbia for Arts and Culture is proud to announce the award of its inaugural Public Art Administration Internship and Public Art Residency. One Columbia began the program in 2024 as part of its Public Art initiative which believes that public art should reflect the identities and perspective of the communities that host it and that artists are creative problem solvers. As artists work in communities to create new works of public art, that work has the power to spark conversation, to create positive social change, and to advocate for human rights. To this end, One Columbia has offered a 9-month public art residency and internship in Columbia, SC to two candidates; Lauren Andreu and Julia Greene, respectively. One Columbia’s commitment to the representation of historically marginalized communities was a core value in the selection process.
Julia Greene has been selected as the Public Art Intern for 2024. One of Julia’s major tasks will be to do maintenance and conservation checks of the city’s public art inventory and suggest restorative treatment and repairs. Julia Greene is currently pursuing a BFA in Studio Art and a minor in Mass Communications. She has experience working as a contracted artist for Bojangles, and gallery attendant.
Lauren Andreu has been selected as the Public Art Resident for 2024. Lauren is a site-specific community muralist infusing public spaces with hope, joy, and inclusivity. She is motivated by her own mystical experiences of healing and self-knowing, and I see her art practice as an extension of her spiritual practice.
A major goal of the residency program is for the artist to grow their practice around engaging with disinvested communities, creating inclusionary experiences, and using their art to make significant positive changes. Public Art Administrator, Pamela Zeljak, says, “According to Americans for the Arts, 73% of Americans have agreed that the arts ‘helps me understand other cultures better.’ Our 2024 intern and resident will both be involved in community public art practice providing opportunities for civic engagement and social cohesion around public art in Columbia. These opportunities will allow our city’s residents to better understand both their neighbors and those who are still strangers. ”
At the end of the program, the resident will have created a community based public art work and will be able to provide a case study with stories, pictures and videos will be shared on our website and social media. The outcomes of this project will highlight impact on the community, the artist, and the public art program at One Columbia.
For more information, please contact Pamela Zeljak at pamela@onecolumbiasc.com or call 803-254-5008.