More than 60 artists across Richland and Lexington counties welcomed visitors into their creative spaces this past weekend for Columbia Open Studios.

The annual event, organized by the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, is designed to showcase the region’s growing arts community.

The two-day event invited the public to explore studios, galleries, shops and backyard workspaces, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how art is made across the Midlands.

Maps guided visitors through a range of locations, reflecting a community rooted in collaboration and diverse artistic expression.

Printmaker Mary Robinson opened her backyard studio off Rosewood Drive, where her mixed-media works combine repurposed cloth and paper. Each piece is dyed, printed, collaged, pieced and woven by hand.

“There are a lot of different forms of printmaking, but all of them involve ink,” Robinson said. “You could carve an image into a block of wood, roll it with ink, lay paper on it and run it through a press.”

Robinson retired about a year and a half ago after teaching printmaking at the University of South Carolina. She said creativity extends beyond traditional art forms.

“I think that everybody is artistic in some way, whether it’s cooking, the way they dress or how they decorate their house,” she said.

In the nearby Wales Garden neighborhood, neighbors Brent Girard and Kathy Love showcased their shared creative journey. A path through tall garden beds behind Girard’s house leads visitors to a former greenhouse turned studio the neighbors share. 

Love, a 1985 USC journalism graduate, retired from a career in public relations seven years ago.

“Towards the end of my career, I started painting to have more of a work-life balance,” Love said. “That has now turned into a second career, which is nothing but bliss.”

Girard, who works full time outside of art, began painting during the Covid pandemic.

“She put a brush in my hand during Covid,” Girard said of Love. “She taught me, and I watched her.”

Love said with a laugh: “Oh no, he’s self-taught.”

Their creative partnership reflects a broader sense of support on the surrounding streets. The Wales Garden neighborhood also hosts an annual Art in the Garden event each April, drawing about 300 visitors to see 16 neighborhood artists. This year’s event is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. April 11.

A similar spirit of collaboration is evident at Gemini Studios. The new nonprofit artist space participated in Open Studios for the first time this year. The collective, founded by Ron Hagell, houses about 25 artists and is approaching its one-year anniversary.

“Without Ron’s vision, this wouldn’t have happened,” said resident artist Richard Lund.

Gemini Studios offers both private and shared workspaces, along with rotating exhibitions and community classes. One current show draws inspiration from Georgia O’Keeffe’s floral works.

“They took that inspiration and made it their own,” Lund said, gesturing toward the gallery.

Lund, who specializes in embroidery, said the studio has provided something he had long been searching for.

“I practiced at home before this and visited other studios around town,” he said. “But I’ve been waiting for a space like this one that gives you a sense of community and a lot of fun.”