GROWING SODA CITY’S ART SCENE: Columbia unveils first of many new urban canvases
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — You might have never thought of Columbia as an arts town, but that may be about to change.
A new initiative called ‘Columbia Streams Art’ aims to bring color to city spaces through urban canvases.
Art has long been part of the fabric of Columbia.
“I think it’s grown. We’ve had an ebb and flow,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “At one time, we were the new music center.”
In addition to musicians, other creators call Soda City home.
One local artist thought of a way to bring urban canvases to Columbia.
“You’re at a stoplight and you’re just looking ahead,” said local artist Stephen Chesley. “The idea is that you look up and see something different. You see a piece of art here but in two weeks it’s gone and then another piece of art comes here.”
Part of the ‘Columbia Streams Art’ initiative, the city unveiled a 15 by 10 foot tapestry downtown at 620 Huger Street featuring the work of local artists.
“I can’t express how lovely it is to be included on a project that many eyes will see,” said featured artist Kristine Hartvigsen. “I’m proud and grateful to be included with the talented artists here.”
The new initiative aims to add more color to other parts of the city as well as grow Columbia’s overall art scene.
“We have a lot of murals now which are very important,” the mayor said. “How do we get different types of art? How do we get the culinary arts and music scene brought together?”
Local creators have found ways to showcase their talent through events in their own neighborhoods.
“You see these urban crawls that we’re having in Cottontown and Melrose Heights,” mayor said. “These artists live next door to you and across the street. I think it’s invigorating.”
Soda City residents will be invigorated to hear that one popular piece of art will be returning to town.
“The busted plug is in storage now but at some point it will be back,” Rickenmann said. “It will probably be somewhere along the river so it can enjoy some free water.”
