Congaree Art Festival Features Art Demonstrations and Sale Saturday, April 25, 2009

The South Carolina State Museum will host their fifth annual Congaree Art Festival in conjunction with Columbia, South Carolina’s Artista Vista celebration Saturday April 25, 2009.

Attendees can observe demonstrations plus purchase paintings, pottery, mosaic compositions and more. Collage and mask-making workshops are also being offered as part of the State Museum’s celebration of art.

“Thursday Afternoon,” a recent painting created Columbia, South Carolina artist by Alicia Leeke, will be just one of many pieces of art exhibited during the event.

“Approximately 25 artists will be selected for this event, which will provide access to artists for the public, and a venue for artists across the state to meet, exhibit, demonstrate and sell their work,” said Paul Matheny, art curator for the State Museum.

The exhibition will take place from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday at the State Museum which is located at 301 Gervais Street.

Resident Artists Present New Works at Gallery At Nonnah's During Artista Vista 2009

Columbia's biggest art walk is being held this Thursday, April 24 from 5-9 p.m. in the Congaree Vista area and is an event you won't want to miss.

Approximately 14 businesses will open their doors to showcase hot new artwork by artists from across the state for this one night event. Of special interest this year is the S.C. Philharmonic which has partnered with Whit-Ash Rug Gallery and will be showcasing new painted violins during the event; and new works created by the resident artists at the Gallery at Nonnah's.

Nonnah's is a popular spot during Artista Vista because there are so many artists on-hand to discuss their work in person. Not only that, but Nonnah's serves a great late-night dinner menu which wouldn't be complete without their famous Bananas Foster.

The Gallery At Nonnah's will feature mixed media, watercolors, acrylics, photos, abstracts, landscapes and still life by artists Edie Biddel, Ingrid Carson, Jan Fleetwood, Bonnie Goldberg, Alicia Leeke, Betty Mandel, Marcia Murry and Michel McNinch. Works are on display throughout the year for viewing and works change constantly.

Nonnah's is located at 930 Gervais Street in the Vista in Columbia, South Carolina.

Get Ready to Bid on Painted Violins April 23-24, 2009

The South Carolina Philharmonic’s Painted Violins fundraiser makes a grand return April 23-24, 2009 and features 23 artists and new creations during Artista Vista.

This year’s event will feature traditional painted violins, plus the new addition of the Full Symphony which includes a painted cello plus other creations assembled from pieces of violins, guitars, drums, bows, a cow bell and other clever materials used to create these musically-inspired works of art.

The artwork will be on display at Whit-Ash Rug Gallery (919 Gervais Street) during Columbia’s Artista Vista Arts Celebration and auctioned off to raise money for the SC Philharmonic. Bids are accepted from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 23-24. Additionally, bids will also be accepted for posters and limited-edition coffee table books that feature the art from the past three years of Painted Violins.

Painted Violins is once again presented by lead sponsor PHT Services, Ltd. and chaired by area artist Lani Mustard Stringer.
The event’s main sponsor is PHT Services, ltd., with additional support from the Congaree Vista Guild, Musician Supply, Mustard Graphics Studio, Snelling Personnel Services, Star Music, photographer Les Stringer, TPM and Whit-Ash Rug Gallery.

(Image coutesy of Artist Alicia Leeke and will be auctioned off during the 2009 Painted Violins event.)

To view images of the 2009 Painted Violins please visit http://scphilharmonic.com/calendar.aspx?event_id=21 and come to Artista Vista to bid April 23-24th.