Columbia, S.C. – One Columbia for Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the City of Columbia, is excited to announce the opening of a new artists’ space at the intersection of Assembly and Taylor Street in Columbia, S.C. The former police sub-station, connected to the Taylor Street garage, will now serve as a studio for four to five artists, including our public artist in residence, Lauren Andreu.
This innovative pilot program aims to inspire the reimagining of spaces in Columbia, particularly in relation to the arts, and showcases the potential of government, private, and non-profit partnerships in supporting the arts community. Local artist Keith Tolen will be present at the space on Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th for Open Studios.
“Although Columbia is booming with new developments, some of the best spots are the ones that we reimagine and repurpose,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “We are excited to partner with One Columbia to revitalize this space and give our local talented artists the space and spotlight they deserve.”
Starting in April 2024, 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 who will be awarded this valuable opportunity.
“Our goal is to break down barriers faced by local artists, who are the backbone of our Arts and Culture community,” explains Pamela Zeljak, One Columbia’s Public Art Administrator.
Thanks to the generous support of AGFirst Farm Credit Bank and other private funders, One Columbia will provide artists with the necessary tools to work, create, and thrive. Xavier Blake, Executive Director of One Columbia, eagerly welcomes artists into the space, recognizing that there is work to do and this is just the beginning.
“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.”
About the Organization:
One Columbia for Arts and Culture’s mission is to advise, amplify, and advocate for the unified arts and culture community. We embrace the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and work to promote collaboration through shared celebrations of Columbia SC’s arts and historic treasures. Our goal is to raise the quality of life for all our citizens, attract tourist dollars to our city, and further enhance our vibrant downtown and surrounding areas.