Plus, CreateAthon celebrates 25 years.
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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

 
Soda City, you’re a work of art
Tunnell Vision.jpeg
Blue Sky’s Tunnel Vision mural in downtown Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday
We all know that the Soda City has a vibrant art scene — and we’re not just talking about the Columbia Museum of Art or the 701 Center for Contemporary Art. One of our all-time favorite galleries? Columbia itself.

Cola is home to several meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, we’re sharing where to find pieces that really paint a picture of our city.

Blue Sky | Various locations

Blue Sky is the artist behind some of Cola’s most iconic murals, including the Tunnelvision mural that draws in tourists and tricks your eyes.
Cayce River Arts District.jpeg

Ija Charles’s mural in Cayce brings old buildings to life. | Photo via Cayce River Arts District

Cayce Arts District, Cayce | Various Artists

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin introduced the idea of “prerevitalization” to the community by connecting art and business. Now there are four murals, an art lot, and several buildings painted in the area.
mural

The Dum Spiro Spero mural is one of Cola’s most photographed downtown murals. | Photo courtesy One Columbia

Dum Spiro Spero | 1227 Taylor St. | Alex Rusnak

Revolving around South Carolina’s state motto, “Dum Spiro Spero” or “While I breathe, I hope,” this mural depicts faces looking towards each other with crescent moons on either side of the mural.

Lincoln Street Tunnel | 900 Lady St. | Various artists

Murals from the Leadership Columbia Class of 2017, Michael Dantzler, and Keith Tolan decorate both sides of the tunnel connecting the Vista to Finlay Park.
 
Asked
 
A new mural has just been commissioned by the city, and you’ve been chosen as the artist. You:

A. Panic — I can’t draw for my life
B. Use this opportunity to paint a giant portrait of your family pet
C. Pass off the project to your favorite local artist
D. Roll up your sleeves and get to work on your dream mural
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 22
  • Down South Silly Comedy Show | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | The Down South Silly Comedy Show features 10 comics and is hosted by Bobbie Gail.
  • Gamecocks Softball vs. Furman Paladins | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 3 p.m. | Carolina Softball Stadium At Beckham Field, 1318 Heyward St., Columbia | $7 | Cheer on the Gamecocks as they go for their 24th win of the season.
Thursday, March 23
  • The Runout, Say Femme, Kimberly Walsh | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 7 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | For fans of Americana music, check out three great locals performing together.
Friday, March 24
Saturday, March 25
  • Plant Exchange | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 10 a.m. | Parking Lot of Talbots in Forest Acres, 4809 Forest Dr., Columbia | Free | Come to exchange annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, herbs, house plants, bulbs, and rootings.
  • Soiree on State | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 2-8 p.m. | State St., Cayce | Free | Enjoy art everywhere, local food, vendors, a kids’ area, and live music from Prettier than Matt, Tokyo Joe, and more.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
SPONSORED
Finance
 
Average retirement savings by age: Are you on track?
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area.
SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset
Many Americans worry they’re not saving enough for retirement, and rightfully so. Do your current savings meet the recommended amount for people your age? Find out. 👀

The amount some people have saved may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*
 
News Notes
 

Weather
  • 65º | Cloudy | 19% chance of rain
Development
  • The Guignard family has agreed to donate 7.5 acres along the Congaree River to improve river access for Soda Citizens and businesses. The donation will allow access to begin within months with future plans for a park alongside the river. (The Post and Courier)
Festival
  • Riverfront Revival — a music festival hosted and headlined by Darius Rucker — will return to North Charleston’s Riverfront Park on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8. Joining Darius as headlining acts are Turnpike Troubadours, Lainey Wilson, and Charleston locals Band of Horses. Subscribe here for a presale ticket code.
Jobs
  • South Carolina will construct a $25 million training center on the Scout Motors site in Blythewood to prepare for the 4,000 jobs available at the upcoming manufacturing plant. Midlands Technical College has over 19,000 students enrolled in relevant certificate, degree, and continuing education programs. (The Post and Courier)
State
  • The South Carolina House of Representatives approved a $14 billion spending package that includes a $2,500 pay raise for most state employees and funding for school districts to increase teachers’ salaries by the same amount. State employees making over $83,000 will receive a 3% increase instead of a flat raise. (WIS TV)
Outdoors
  • Construction of a new gazebo and wildlife structures is underway on Boyd Island, accessible by a bridge on the Saluda Riverwalk trail. You can see the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers from the island as they form the Congaree.
Today Is
  • This evening marks the start of Ramadan, a month of reflection and fasting in Islam. Observe and learn more by visiting the Islamic Center of Columbia. We wish you all a peaceful month, and we’ll see you on Eid al-Fitr starting Friday, April 21.
Asked
  • Hey, COLA men: If you could (anonymously) ask a health specialist a question, what would you ask? (Think: Preventing sports injuries? Managing stress? The screenings men need most?) Submit your questions to the Prisma Health experts who are on call + ready to answer your men’s health questions in our next edition of Prisma Health On Call.*
Fact or Fiction
  • Everyone can lose weight through diet and exercise — fact or fiction? See the answer (and the truth behind several common myths about weight, exercise, and your health).*
Seasonal
 
 
History
 
25 years of CreateAthon
WECO RIGGS.jpeg
Big things are in the works for West Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday
$30 million. That’s how much the CreateAthon marketing marathon has delivered in pro bono marketing services to over 2,000 nonprofit organizations across the globe since Riggs Partners founded it in 1998.

Today, more than 100 marketing and communications agencies, universities, and professional trade organizations are official CreateAthon partners hosting 24-hour marketing marathons to help local nonprofits.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event, the West Columbia-based marketing firm — recently in the news for helping refurbish the WECO sign — is releasing The Art of CreateAthoning toolkit to help marketing agencies, clubs, and other organizations create their own pro bono marketing marathons.

This year’s clients include EmmanuWheel, Girl Get Up Society, KLUB LIFT, Original Six Foundation, Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services, and The Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment.
 
 
The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt Today’s Edition By:
David
From the Editor
I want to give a quick shout-out to Richland Library employee and former One Columbia director Lee Snelgrove for all he’s done for public arts in Cola over the past decade. Without him, we wouldn’t see nearly as many beautiful murals and public art pieces around town.
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