Adventures in Wonderland Show This Thursday

FRAME OF MIND FEATURES "ADVERTURES IN WONDERLAND" A CONVERGENCE OF PERFORMING ARTS COUPLED WITH PAINTINGS BY ALICIA LEEKE

You may not see any daring feats or tightrope walking, but a new exhibit entitled “Adventures in Wonderland” is sure to be a crowd pleaser with its bird’s eye view of new paintings by local artist Alicia Leeke, coupled with some thrilling performance art.

Frame of Mind Sets the stage on Main Street October 8 from 6-8:30 p.m. with its Halloween edition show. Owner, Mark Plessinger is a catalyst for the arts, and the momentum for the shows have come full circle since his first show which opened with Leeke’s work over a year ago.

The two first came together in early Spring of 2008 to discuss ways to draw traffic to Frame of Mind and integrate art into business. She shared with him the names of other artists around town for future shows which later exploded into other networking ventures between Frame of Mind and The Columbia Museum of Art, The White Mule and most recently Gotham Bagel.

"For centuries artists have been coming together. Most notably in America at the Algonqun Hotel in New York City where some the great literary giants such as Gertrude Stein, Maya Angelou, William Faulkner, as well as a plethora of cabaret singers and theatrical entertainers met on a regular basis, said Leeke.” But that hasn’t been the case for the most part in Columbia until now. “It’s important to the area to have businesses like Frame of Mind build a networking bridge among companies, performing arts organizations and artists in the community, and I am seeing a lot more people recognizing the value and impact the arts have on a community -- especially in terms of quality of life and economic growth,” adds Leeke, noting that a more diverse art scene is shifting to Main Street and developing around the Museum and Nickelodeon Theater’s new home.

The theme for the show, entitled “Adventures in Wonderland” showcase newly released landscapes awash with color and movement plus a few extra surprises Leeke plans to unveil during the event. This new body of work focuses on the impact color and abstraction has on landscape painting. The artists' love of the coast extends back into early childhood where family vacations were spent exploring the woods, dunes and tides of South Carolina’s coast.

Other festivities for the evening include a contemporary dance sampling by the Wideman Davis Dance Company, a sneak preview by NiA Company, a theatrical company housed within Trustus Theatre who will be previewing their new play, and guest appearances by Belly Dancer Natalie Brown from Delirium Tribal and local Magician and professional entertainer, John Tudor.

Frame of Mind is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and is located at 1510 Main Street in Columbia, South Carolina. Other works may also be seen at the Gallery at Nonnah’s in the Vista, Tombo Grille and House Brand Furniture.

You may contact Alicia about her paintings by calling (803) 429-5456, 888-429-5456, via email at leekeka@hotmail.com or by visiting her website at http://www.alicialeeke.com/.

Leeke's Work Featured at Courtyard Art Gallery in Charleston through October 31

Courtyard Art Gallery in Charleston South Carolina is featuring the work of South Carolina artist, Alicia Leeke during the month of September.

Her show entitled "Parallel: 32, 47, 79, 56," features vibrant, colorful, abstract landscapes representing the physical longitude and latitude of Charleston, SC and other coastal areas.

"Science, math and art often go hand in hand," notes Leeke. This show explores Charleston from its different vantage points as well as other wetlands areas in the State. Sites on display include the Little Pee Dee River, Jekyll Island, Mount Pleasant, and Cherry Grove. The show will be on view through September 30.

The Gallery is located at 149 1/2 East Bay Street in Charleston, South Carolina.

Don’t Miss Viva La Vista This Upcoming Saturday!

On Saturday September 12, several resident artists at the Gallery at Nonnah’s will be on hand to discuss their art at the Gallery during the Congaree Vista’s Viva La Vista food Festival.

This signature event, takes place in the heart of the Congaree Vista in downtown Columbia, South Carolina and spans four city blocks including parts of Gervais Street and runs from Lincoln to Senate Streets.

The event kicks off Autumn with a Taste of the Vista’s best restaurants, live music and libations. Resident artists at Nonnah’s include: Bonnie Goldberg, Ingrid Carsonm Edie Biddle, Jan Fleetwood, Betty Mandell, Alicia Leeke, Donna Rozier, Michele McNinch and Christy Lekeup.

New Works Expolore Color and Light

Alicia Leeke imagines landscapes in a unique and colorful light. In her new paintings at Tombo Grille in Columbia, South Carolina she intertwines brushstrokes and imagination to develop brilliant landscapes with bountiful movement in this large works series.

The "New Works" show opened in September and is ongoing throughout 2009. Her work is one of three artists on display at Tombo Grille which is located at 4517 Forest Dr # 6 in Columbia, South Carolina and replaces the work of Blue Sky. Call for hours (803) 782-9665‎.

Third Annual Palette to Palate to be held May 15-17 2009

The Village at Sandhill has partnered with The Cultural Council and Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce to hold the Third Annual Palette to Palate Event Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17, 2009.

This three-day art event will take place at Town Center Commons and will include live entertainment, art demonstrations, and the annual Taste of the Village event.

Palette to Palate Event Hours:
Friday, May 15: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 17: Noon to 6 p.m.

Schedule of events:

Art: On view and for sale from over 25 of the area’s best known and admired artisans including work by local artist Alicia Leeke.

Music: Friday, May 15: Island Close By – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: Fatback & The Grove Band – 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 17: Coolie G & Lion Soul – 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Taste of the Village: Friday, May 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., sample specialties from Village at Sandhill restaurants and beverage places. Just purchase sampling tickets for $1 each at the on-site ticket booths.

Village at Sandhill is located at Clemson Road and Two Notch Road in Northeast Richland County and is owned and managed by Kahn Development Company.

“Celebrate the Faces of Sandhills” Art Gala

The 5th Annual Sandhills Art Gala and sale will be held April 24, 2009 from 6:30 – 10 pm and features the work of over 50 South Carolina artists.

According to Gala Coorinator Powers Strickland, this year’s event is being extended with a sneak preview prior to the Gala Opening on Friday night, which is complete with a silent auction, cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. In the past the event was only held one night, but has become so popular by art buyers that is it being extended with an “Encore” of select works on Sunday, April 26th from 3-5 pm.

Highlights from this year’s exhibit include jewelry by Cindy Saad, mixed media works by Sam Compton, sculpture by Greg Fitzpatrick, photography by Howard Hunt, and paintings by Michael Storey, Leslie Pierce, Marcello Novo, Page Morris, Claude Buckley, Rob Shaw and many others.

The mission of Sandhills School is to provide a successful learning environment for students who learn differently and who benefit from evidence-based, multi sensory instruction. Sandhills School is a resource to the community for information about language-based learning differences and ADD/ADHD.

Pictured are two of Columbia, S.C. artist Alicia Leeke's miniature paintings "Ladies with Hats" and "The Messenger" which will be available for purchase during the exhibition.

To purchase tickets or additional information, please call (803) 695-1400.

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.