Visual Arts

steve-sharpenedColumbia hosts a vibrant art scene with both established and emerging artists in all variety of mediums. You will find everything from Classical Realism to Contemporary Expressionism in painting, sculpture, fiber arts and mixed media, as well as performance and installation art.

Anchoring the downtown area is the Columbia Museum of Art, which houses a permanent collection of more than 5,000 items, including paintings, furniture, baroque and Renaissance sculptures, and work by native South Carolinians. Many Main Street galleries participate in a monthly art crawl on the first Thursday to promote local talent, including The Tapp’s Art Center, which has finished phase 1 of renovations and now has 32 rental studios. Another new cluster of artist studios are in the Arcade Building, also on Main Street.

Long known as the Art District, the Congaree Vista is home to many established art galleries, Vista Studios, and home of the SC State Museum. 701 CCA is the city’s premier Contemporary Center for Art in a restored mill building in the Olympia neighborhood and includes educational programs as well as an artist-in-residence. Nearby institutions of higher education add to the visual art community with exhibitions featuring both distinguished faculty and emerging talent.