Local businesses to showcase wares during Artista Vista

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A year after the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on the annual event, local artists and businesses will once again showcase their wares during Artista Vista, to be held April 16-18.

Artista Vista will feature both online and in-person events in the Congaree Vista, including an art gallery crawl, performances by the South Carolina Philharmonic, Columbia City Ballet and ColaJazz, and an online paper lantern workshop.

“Creativity drives The Vista, and over the past year our business-owners have drawn on that creativity to overcome challenges presented by COVID-19,” Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild, said in a news release. “We are thrilled to offer a fresh take on Artista Vista that celebrates our artistic roots while protecting the community’s health and safety.”

Social distancing and mask wearing will be required at all in-person events.

Events include:

• Local artist Flavia Lovatelli will lead an online lantern creation workshop in videos offered on the Vista’s YouTube channel in early April.
• An art gallery crawl will be held April 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through the Vista’s galleries and online on its YouTube channel.
• An art day will be held April 17 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the Stormwater Studios campus featuring live demonstrations and music.
• The Crafty Feast craft festival, featuring works from jury-selected vendors, will take place April 18 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Event finale Live on Lincoln will feature local performing arts groups and dinner by The Blue Marlin on April 18 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Proceeds from the ticketed event, presented by the Koger Center, will support the participating organizations, which also include Trustus Theatre and the University of South Carolina Concert Choir.