Sculpture dedication kicks off 30th Artista Vista

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Artista Vista will kick off its 30th celebration on Friday with the dedication of a new sculpture honoring mothers.

Award-winning artist Nora Valdez, a Boston resident originally from Argentina, will attend the dedication of her sculpture at the corner of Lady and Gadsden streets. Carved from Indiana limestone, the piece represents the strength and determination of mothers. The dedication, beginning at 10 a.m., is presented by the Congaree Vista Guild and One Columbia for Arts and Culture.

Artista Vista, which highlights Midlands artists and the Congaree Vista’s cultural scene, will run until Sunday and feature an art gallery crawl, pop-up galleries and a light and lantern parade.

“It’s an experience,” Clark Ellefson, principal designer and owner of Lewis+Clark and one of the original organizers of Artista Vista, said in a news release. “It’s a gathering of people from all walks of life who can come together to enjoy and appreciate art and support their community.”

Events include Crafty Feast, a juried indie craft fair showing more than 50 makers from across the Southeast, and the Koger Center’s Live on Lincoln, a live musical performance which will wrap up the festival on Sunday evening.

“We’re really excited for this year’s Artista Vista,” Abby Anderson, executive director of the Vista Guild, said. “For the last 30 years, this event has been a major part of our community, and we want to keep up that tradition and continue to solidify this area as a prominent arts district.”