It’s Women’s History Month — and Columbia is in full celebration mode, particularly when it comes to the arts. Want to participate in honoring the achievements of local women + their creative contributions? Here are a few suggestions.
Columbia Design League is hosting a panel event tonight from 6-8 p.m. inside the Columbia Museum of Art, moderated by Lauren Dillon from Master of Plaster. Hear from four local, female designers who’ve influenced our local community.
- Meena Khalili, an assistant professor at UofSC’s School of Visual Art + Design. We bet you’ll recognize her drawings from around town.
- Heather A. Mitchell, architect and president of The Boudreaux Group.
- Stoi Phillips, owner, CEO, and Lead Designer of Stois Design Company
- Sarah Swinson Shell, owner and Creative Director of Fern Studio Flowers
If you can’t make the event tonight, here are two public works of art we’ve found that celebrate women in the community. Let us know if you have some favorites of your own we can check out around town.
The Architecture of Strength is located on the corner of Main + Gervais Streets. According to Columbia City of Women + Deedee Morrison, this sculpture aims to spark a conversation about women’s strength, power, and perseverance. It challenges us to understand that it takes women of every kind to make up our society.
Unveiled: June, 16 2021
Created by: Deedee Morrison for Columbia City of Women — an initiative by Historic Columbia + Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network.
According to The Congaree Vista Guild + Nora Valdez, this Indiana Limestone faceless sculpture sits on the corner of Lady + Gadsden Streets and was created to represent the archetype of motherhood — a figure who universally represents nurturement, love, and protection. A dedication event will take place April 22-24 as part of the Congaree Vista Guild’s 30th annual Artista Vista.
Unveiled: Feb., 14, 2022
Created by: Nora Valdez for The Congaree Vista Guild, facilitated by One Columbia for Arts and Culture
Click here to find more public art pieces around town.
