News from Pickens: Upstate Artists Susan Perry and Susan Lenz Present Concurrent Art Exhibitions - Cascades

Pickens County Museum of Art and History

307 Johnson Street, Pickens, SC

May 16 - July 4, 2026

Opening reception: May 16, 2026 5 – 7 PM

Artist - Susan Lenz

Have you been missing longtime Soda City Artist Susan Lenz? We have too! But we can all get a Susan fix by visiting her upcoming exhibition, Cascades, at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History!

Here’s what we know:

Susan Perry and Susan Lenz, two Upstate fiber and installation artists, will present solo shows responding to concepts found in their joint exhibition title, Cascades. The exhibit opens at the Pickens County Museum of Art and History, 307 Johnson Street in Pickens, SC on May 16 with a reception that day from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Elan DeHaro will take viewers on a musical journey during the reception.

The exhibit runs through July 4, 2026. Perry and Lenz will be showing new work that explores traditional and experimental combinations of paper, fabric, and found materials. Both artists create sculpture forms, immersive installations, and incorporate reusable, natural, and man-made materials. Yet, their individual approaches are uniquely different.

Artist - Susan Perry

Susan Perry’s kinetic, kite-like sculptures developed from a contemplative practice of Sumi ink drawings, marbling, and paper-making. Some of these three-dimensional works will be suspended from the ceiling; others will sit below suggesting a stream of conversation. Her collages were inspired by local waterfalls.

Susan Lenz’s work also suggests the movement of water. More than one-hundred units of collaged fabrics will meander across three walls as if tracing the route of one of the area’s many creeks. Strips of lace hand-stitched into eight-foot long, plant-life strands will cascade down another wall.

However different, Perry and Lenz’s works complement one another. Both acknowledge the changing face of land use, the natural world of the Upstate, and how plant/fiber materials connects us to land, lakes, and rivers. The two artists are linked through textiles, something that defines local industry, history and even the very identity of Pickens County.

For well over a century, Upstate women saved fabric scraps, buttons, paper, and photographs. These seemingly mundane objects served as reminders of personal stories and special memories. Perry and Lenz are no exceptions to this habit of intuitive collecting. They both use their saved materials in their studio practices. Found objects are featured in both artists’ shows. Perry will use a traditional, wooden apple tree ladder in her area; Lenz has incorporated found objects stitched into tidal wave profiles.

Though Perry’s and Lenz’s work will be presented in two different parts of the second-floor museum space, the two have been in regular communication regarding their concept and the progression of their individual presentations. “I think we’ve pushed one another to think broadly about our materials and especially about the way we respond to our chosen theme, Cascades,” says Lenz. Perry agrees, stating, “Throughout this past year, I’ve been inspired to find new ways to use paper to express water as a central feature of our Pickens County landscape.”

The Pickens County Museum of Art and History is open Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The museum can be reached at (864) 898-5963.

For more information, please contact the artists through their websites:

www.susanlenz.com

www.susanperry.art

Jasper Does Artista Vista with Adam Corbett and More - Friday Eve & Sunday Afternoon

Artist - Adam Corbett

All of us at the Jasper Project are excited about our upcoming Artista Vista celebrations this weekend at Coal Powered Filmworks!

We kick things off on Friday evening with an exhibition from our featured visual artist, Adam Corbett, who will be showing his art right in front of Coal Powered Filmworks on Lincoln Street from 6 - 9 pm. But come on inside, too, to see a variety of art curated by our host and Jasper board president, Wade Sellers.

Adam Corbett is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and visual artist from Lexington, South Carolina. His work is often whimsical, comes with a punchline, or fun story, and his subjects include wildlife and characters of his own creation. He likes to experiment with various mediums in a variety of formats focusing always on exploration, play, and following his muse. In addition to his visual artistry, Corbett has been a part of the Columbia music scene for almost 20 years. An accomplished musician and singer-songwriter, he’s been in several bands, including Guitar Show, The Restoration, and Husband to name a few — and he has performed with with local artists Marshall Brown and Rachel Kate.

You can also catch Adam Corbett wearing musician hat when he performs at Stormwater Studios at 1 pm on Saturday, April 18th.


If you’re a member of the Jasper Guild — at any donation level — you’re invited to join us again on Sunday afternoon, April 19th from 4 - 6pm for a special happy hour just for you! We’ll have drinks and light snacks to nosh on for an hour before and then during a portion of Live On Lincoln, which will be happening just outside our door. And if you want to be there but haven’t gotten around to joining the Jasper Guild, no worries, you can do so by clicking here and we’ll welcome you to the Jasper family on Sunday afternoon.

You’ll also be rubbing elbows with many of the artists performing in the event because, in keeping with the Jasper mission, we’re serving as a “Green Room” for any performing artists who need a place to change their clothes and/or grab a granola bar or a bottle of water after they perform.

For more information about Live on Lincoln, check out the line-up and ticket availability, as well as everything the Vista has planned for the weekend (hint: it starts Friday morning at 11 am with the unveiling of new public art, Maria DeFelice’s, “Kaleidoscope on Columbia” on the corner of Lincoln and Taylor Streets) at Vista Columbia.

Join the Jasper Guild Today



Review: The Hiding Place is a Story That Still Resonates - By Jane Turner Peterson

Anyone who opposed the German regime risked being taken and punished. Sound familiar?

The Hiding Place, now playing at Soda City Theatre in West Columbia, is a haunting true story set during World War II in a quiet Dutch town. Directed by Debra Leopard, it tells the story of Corrie, Betsie, Willem, and Casper ten Boom—a Christian family who run a century-old watch shop and secretly shelter Jewish refugees in their home. As the Nazi occupation tightens its grip, the ten Booms create a hidden room within their house, forming part of an underground network that helps Jews escape arrest. Their courage and faith are put to the ultimate test when their efforts are discovered, leading to arrest, separation, and imprisonment in brutal concentration camps. It’s a stirring and heartbreaking look at the horrors faced by those persecuted by the Nazis, regardless of whether they were Jewish. Anyone who opposed the German regime risked being taken and punished. Sound familiar?

A.S. Peterson’s stage adaptation of Corrie ten Boom’s autobiographical book can feel somewhat disjointed, shifting between past and present. It’s easy to see the challenge of condensing such a far-reaching story into a stage production that moves across multiple locations. Even so, the script remains faithful to the source material. Soda City’s set design team, Debra Leopard and Todd Moles, make strong use of a limited space, creating effective playing areas. Costumes by Joanna Shaw and props by Lindsay Brown, Mark DiNovo, Debra Leopard, and Tracy Rice are well executed, and scene transitions are handled smoothly. There were some issues with the sound system—something not uncommon with body mics. It does raise the question of whether a stronger emphasis on vocal projection might better serve productions where sound consistency can be a challenge.

There are moments when the pacing lags slightly, but the emotional beats land well, providing enough tension to keep the audience engaged. The story itself is powerful and, at times, unsettling, with depictions and references to the violence and cruelty endured by those in the camps. Because of this, it may not be suitable for children under 12 or for those sensitive to such material. The production does not shy away from its truth.

Karen Herschell leads the cast as Corrie ten Boom, delivering a compelling and deeply human performance. She guides the audience through Corrie’s memories with clarity and emotional depth, capturing fear, doubt, resentment, and love in equal measure.

Bill Arvay brings warmth and strength to the role of Casper ten Boom. His portrayal of the family patriarch reflects both his deep devotion to his daughters and his steadfast faith.

Gayle Stewart’s Betsie ten Boom is filled with grace and quiet strength, serving as a spiritual anchor for those around her during their imprisonment.

Peyton Shumpert brings a heartfelt sincerity to young Corrie, delivering her lines with clarity and strength.

Within the large ensemble, several performances stand out: Ripley Thames as Pickwick, the loyal friend and co-conspirator; Shauna Lair as the chilling Hitler Youth, Otto; Bill LaLima as Lt. Richter, who interrogates Corrie; and Len Lesslie, whose German officer is convincingly menacing.

The cast also includes Mia Burke, Mark DiNovo, Nathan Wright, Olivia Nuvallie, Gina Saviola, Barry Smith, Rae Kostal, Katie Godfrey, Chiara LoBianco, Chase Umbarger, Bennett Shaw, Gail Carter, and Sabrina Schroeder.

The Hiding Place runs through April 19 with limited performances at Brookland Methodist Church in West Columbia. Tickets are available at sodacitytheatre.org.

 Jane Turner Peterson is the Theatre Editor for Jasper Magazine and a member of the board of directors for the Jasper Project.

Art Reception Double Feature with the Jasper Project and the Koger Center

By Emily Moffitt, Visual Arts Editor, Jasper Magazine

The Koger Center for the Arts is excited to bring its patrons two new art exhibits in its second-floor gallery spaces: the Gallery at the Koger Center and The Nook, the latter of which is presented by the Jasper Project.

On April 10, join the Koger Center in celebrating Colin Dodd and Sarah Scruggs for their new art exhibits! There will be a joint opening reception for the two shows that evening from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and complimentary wine and light fare will be available.

Sarah Scruggs is the newest artist to take up residence in the Nook at the Koger Center. Sarah is a South Carolinian painter focusing on oil and watercolor. Her alla prima style is relaxed and playful, with attention to color. Most always, her paintings are a celebration of storms, the ever-changing clouds, flora, and fauna. Many of her materials are hand ground pigments collected from local areas in the pursuit of play. She has sold/exhibited her work at multiple art fairs like Cottontown Art Crawl and the Brandywine Festival in Harrodsburg, KY. Her work will be on display through early May.

Colin Dodd is exhibiting a new body of work in the Gallery at the Koger Center, titled Homage to Ukraine: Big Bavovna and Other Works. The exhibit began on March 24 and is on display through June 7, 2026. Colin Dodd was born in Northumberland and grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne. As a young teenager his interest in art began to develop and he decided to go to art college as soon as he finished high school. He first attended Leicester Polytechnic and then Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham, where he completed an undergraduate degree in fine art. After two visits to the U.S. he moved permanently in 1980. He attended the University of South Carolina and completed a graduate degree in 1984. In the same year, he began teaching at Midlands Tech as an adjunct instructor. This position eventually became full time and he taught classes in drawing, painting, art history, and Film as Art until his retirement in 2018.

Homage to Ukraine Artist Statement:

It’s the artist’s duty to reflect the times in which we live.” – Nina Simone.

This quote struck a chord with me, especially due to personal circumstances. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, and by coincidence that was the day I had open heart surgery, following a heart attack on February 22nd! I watched the footage on CNN of Russian tanks firing on civilian targets from my hospital bed. I have since followed the war on an almost daily basis, strongly identifying with the cause of the Ukrainian people, and seeing in them a nation standing alone against a tyrant just as Britain did against Hitler’s Germany at the outset of World War II.  Ukraine has managed to survive, against all the odds, for four years.

The imagery from FPV drone footage I found strangely alluring and fascinating, even beautiful, although the results and intended consequences were destruction and death. This dichotomy is what led me to start painting images based on often distorted and grainy images, abstracted to a degree, by the process of recording and transmission. This resulted in a twenty-panel work resembling a bank of monitors, titled Homage to Ukraine: Big Bavovna.   In addition, a triptych dedicated to Ukraine consists of a portrait of a young Ukrainian woman wearing a traditional flower crown, titled Flower of Ukraine.  An image of trench warfare reminiscent of images from the First World War and I borrowed the title We Are Making a New World from Paul Nash who was an official war artist in both world wars. Lastly, an image derived from a video taken in 2023 in the Donetsk region, of a Russian ammo dump explosion, which became known as, Ammo Dump Jesus.

As the war has progressed it seems like it has been largely forgotten about by the news cycle which moves on unrelentingly, but the struggle and the suffering continues for the Ukrainian people.

For more information about the visual arts at the Koger Center, inquiries can be directed to kogercenter@sc.edu. The gallery spaces are available for public viewing Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, and an hour before any performance in the center.

It's FIRST THURSDAY & JASPER is BACK ON MAIN STREET - As well as at our LAST FIRST THURSDAY at SOUND BITES!

Artist - Jarid Lyfe Brown

Hey Jasper Family! We’re excited today because TONIGHT we’re celebrating that the Jasper Project is BACK ON MAIN STREET!

Please join us tonight as Jasper features not one, but two great Columbia-area visual artists sharing their talents with the world!

Start out by popping into Sound Bites Eatery for (sadly) our last First Thursday gallery opening event. We have loved our time at Sound Bites and can’t express enough gratitude for Terri Mac and the gracious Sound Bites team that has always made us feel so welcome. But due to a change in their hours of operation under new ownership, we won’t be able to continue our stewardship there any longer. (But you better believe we’ll still be stopping in for delicious lunches and great service!)

So, Jasper is celebrating our Sound Bites swan song by featuring the unique art of Jessica Ream tonight!

Unbinding: A Tale of the Book That Never Was – Jessica Ream Opening Reception - SOUND BITES 5:30 - 8

Jessica Ream was born in Columbus, Ohio early in the year 1990, but was raised in Carolina suburbia. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated with honors and a BFA in Painting. A jack-of-all trades artist, she incorporates her knowledge of painting, photography, print, sewing and sculpture into her mixed media, abstract pieces.

In recent years, she has rediscovered her love of hand binding books. While mainly self taught, she was first introduced to the world of book arts in a workshop she attended while studying abroad. Her hand bound journals are made from a mix of traditional materials and rebound, vintage books.

After spending the time in the High Rockies of Colorado, she and her husband have returned to their southeastern, coastal origins, where they reside with their son and newborn daughter.
(Full disclosure —Jessica is also a new member of the Jasper Project Board of Directors, but this show has been scheduled long before she joined our board.)

After you’ve checked out Jessica’s work come on over to the Shoppes at Tapp’s for the opening of the Jasper Alley at Tapp’s. As mentioned, our featured artist for April is Jarid Lyfe Brown.

The Jasper Alley at Tapp's with April's Featured Artist - Jarid Lyfe Brown

Born in Atlanta and raised in Columbia, Brown has lived in Gilbert for the last 17 years. A construction worker by day for the past 30 years, Brown attended SCAD but is, for the most part, self-taught. His work will occupy the Jasper Alley which is located on the far right side of the building.

Jarid’s work is incredibly evocative and can run the gamut from whimsical to terrifying, but it’s always interesting and it always commands that the viewer spend some time with at the painting and enjoy the process.

We’re delighted to feature both of these fine artists and hope you’ll visit us at both venues.

Happy First Thursday from all of us at Jasper!

BUY THE BOOK - Peter Lenzo: In Memory of his Memory (Pre-Orders are Open Now!)

By nurturing engagement between different arts disciplines we hope to not only grow the fan and patron base for all arts, but also to inspire artists from different walks to collaborate and/or adopt the methodology of another artistic endeavor.

At the Jasper Project, we try to engage as many arts disciplines as possible via our various projects. The theory behind this priority is that artists and their patrons too often find themselves in disciplinary silos, constructed and populated by the practitioners of those disciplines. In other words, music fans may not a miss a local concert but they do miss gallery openings, book launches, or dance performances that aren’t on their radar. Similarly, indie film aficionados may be hooked into the film scene but not necessarily aware of live music performances, theatre opportunities, or poetry readings that might scratch a different kind of artistic itch. By nurturing engagement between different arts disciplines we hope to not only grow the fan and patron base for all arts, but also to inspire artists from different walks to collaborate and/or adopt the methodology of another artistic endeavor.

For our upcoming project, PETER LENZO: A RETROSPECTIVE AND REMEMBRANCE, opening Friday April 3rd at 6 pm (5 pm for Jasper Guild members) at Stormwater Studios, we are including both a newly published art book and a newly created short film by Columbia, SC filmmaker, Wade Sellers, in the hopes of appealing to both book and film lovers.

The book, Peter Lenzo: In Memory of his Memory is now available for pre-order and may be picked up at the exhibition. The 120+ page full color book contains more than 50 images of Lenzo’s work as well as essays by the SC State Museum’s Paul Matheny and the late Wim Roefs. The book is $45 until April 1, 2026 after which the price will rise to $50.

The film, also titled Peter Lenzo: In Memory of his Memory, will screen at Stormwater Studios on Friday April 10th at 7 pm.

We look forward to seeing you at these events and throughout the weeks of this exhibition during Stormwater Studios regularly scheduled hours.

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The Jasper Project Presents PETER LENZO: A RETROSPECTIVE AND REMEMBRANCE

STORMWATER STUDIOS

OPENING RECEPTION APRIL 3 — 6 - 9 PM

Jasper Guild Members are Invited to Join Us at 5 pm for Early Entrance

The Jasper Project is honored to present PETER LENZO: A RETROSPECTIVE AND REMEMBRANCE at Stormwater Studios, April 3 – 12, 2026. In addition to exhibiting more than 30 rarely shown facejugs and reliquaries created by the late Peter Lenzo, the project also features the launch of a new commemorative publication entitled PETER LENZO: IN MEMORY OF HIS MEMORY and the premiere screening of an accompanying film by Columbia, SC filmmaker, Wade Sellers. 

The Jasper Project worked closely with Lenzo’s daughter, Roxy Lenzo Douthit, to curate this exhibition, which includes ceramic pieces from the last few decades of her father’s life, as well as intimate family reliquaries in which the artist preserved and annotated treasured artifacts and keepsakes going back to the artist’s family of origin. For Lenzo, his facejugs were a homage both to traditional Southern pottery practices and to the friends and family who inspired the work he so lovingly created. Lenzo, who suffered a head injury early in life that resulted in seizures, epilepsy, and ultimately dementia, used his art as a way of channeling his despair as well as his elation.  

The photographs of Lenzo’s face jugs and reliquaries reproduced in the new publication, PETER LENZO: IN MEMORY OF HIS MEMORY, many of which on the reverse side also bear the artist’s notated perceptions of the work itself, have been intimately annotated by his daughter. Lenzo Douthit also wrote an enlightening introduction and acknowledgments for this book which contains a foreword by the SC State Museum’s Paul Matheny and an essay by the late Wim Roefs. Peter Lenzo: In Memory of his Memory was published in April 2026 by the Jasper Project, which has an imprint via Muddy Ford Press, and is available for pre-order here.

PETER LENZO: A RETROSPECTIVE AND REMEMBRANCE opens at Stormwater Studios (413 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC) on Friday April 3rd with an opening reception from 6 – 8:30 (early admission for Jasper Project Guild members at 5 pm).  

The film, In Memory of his Memory, will be screened on Friday, April 10th at 7 pm.  

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, feel free to contact the above individuals or consult The Jasper Project or Stormwater Studios. 

 

About the Jasper Project – The Jasper Project is a project-oriented, multidisciplinary arts facilitator serving the greater Columbia and South Carolina communities by providing collaborative arts engineering and community-wide arts communication. The Jasper Project is committed to four integrated priorities: Process – illuminating the unique processes endemic to all art forms in order to provide a greater level of understanding and respect for that discipline; Community/Collaboration – nurturing community both within and between arts disciplines; Narrative – creating a more positive and progressive understanding of SC culture; and Economy – being efficient stewards of arts funding committed to creating more with less. For more information or to support the Jasper Project please visit JasperProject.org.

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MEET JASPER! The Jasper Project Board of Directors Welcomes Jessica Ream

Jessica Ream

The Jasper Project is dependent upon its hard working board of directors to make our world go ‘round. In addition to sharing a wealth of information from their own experiences, the Jasper Project board is, what is called in the world of non-profits, a “working board.” Emphasis on the word WORK.

You’ll see our board members delivering Jasper Magazines, greeting and ringing up art sales at any of our gallery spaces, hauling bags of ice, cases of wine, and trays of food at our receptions and events, as well as planning, setting up for, and cleaning up after those events. Our board of volunteers also plan and program those parties! They schedule art exhibitions, review plays, install art, make labels, read plays, screen films, program concerts, write checks, balance the budget, communicate with their unique contacts, and so much more.

Every board member is attached to at least one of Jasper’s primary projects (Jasper Magazine, galleries, Play Right Project, 2nd Act Film Project, or any of our one-off projects like the Degenerate Arts Project we just finished up or our upcoming Peter Lenzo Retrospective and Remembrance which will open at Stormwater Studios on April 3rd.)

New board members are officially elected into their seats at our annual board retreat in January, though when potential new board members come along throughout the year, we invite them “to date” Jasper until the next retreat. This gives the potential director time to learn how Jasper works and decide whether they can see themselves as part of our motley crew. And the reciprocal works for Jasper.

In January 2026, Jasper voted in 7 new directors to join our already existing board of 14 sitting members. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing these amazing people to you via Jasper Online. We invite you to check back here daily to MEET JASPER, and we will introduce you to the hard-working and talented individuals who make up the Jasper Project Board of Directors.

MEET JESSICA REAM!

Jessica Ream was born in Columbus, Ohio early in the year 1990, but was raised in Carolina suburbia. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated with honors and a BFA in Painting. A jack-of-all trades artist, she incorporates her knowledge of painting, photography, print, sewing and sculpture into her mixed media, abstract pieces.

In recent years, she has rediscovered her love of hand binding books. While mainly self-taught, she was first introduced to the world of book arts in a workshop she attended while studying abroad. Her hand bound journals are made from a mix of traditional materials and rebound, vintage books.

After spending the time in the High Rockies of Colorado, she and her husband have returned to their southeastern, coastal origins, where they reside with their two young children.

Jessica is on the Marketing and Galleries Committees for the Jasper Project.

SCSM Presents the First in their Artist Talk Series with Sam Wang - Sat., March 28th

Want to learn more about the art presented in the South Carolina State Museum’s Lipscomb Gallery?

Our friends at SCSM are making it easy!

Join Sam Wang on Saturday March 28th at 11 am in the Lipscomb Gallery of the SCSM to learn about the artist from the artist himself.

The art collection at the South Carolina State Museum is home to more than 4,500 pieces of art from traditional portraiture and decorative arts to contemporary work and more.

South Carolina art plays an integral role in the state’s culture and history, both in the past and today. In addition to featuring changing exhibitions on South Carolina art, the museum also features artwork throughout four floors of permanent gallery space, in our planetarium lobby and even outside on the museum grounds.

This program series highlights artists featured in From the Vault: Art from the Museum’s Collection. These programs will give artists the opportunity to discuss their work and offer visitors a chance to hear firsthand the ideas, experiences, and processes that fuel artists’ creative journeys. The series is designed to create an open and engaging space where artists and audiences can connect, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of the work on view.

The program on March 28 will feature Sam Wang in conversation with his former student and mentee, Talbot Easton Selby. Together they will discuss their individual photographic practices, their shared connection through Clemson University, and the role mentorship has played in shaping artistic careers in South Carolina.

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Meet Jasper Board Member Jane Turner Peterson!

MEET JASPER!

JANE TURNER PETERSON

The Jasper Project is dependent upon its hard working board of directors to make our world go ‘round. In addition to sharing a wealth of information from their own experiences, the Jasper Project board is, what is called in the world of non-profits, a “working board.” Emphasis on the word WORK.

You’ll see our board members delivering Jasper Magazines, greeting and ringing up art sales at any of our gallery spaces, hauling bags of ice, cases of wine, and trays of food at our receptions and events, as well as planning, setting up for, and cleaning up after those events. Our board of volunteers also plan and program those parties! They schedule art exhibitions, review plays, install art, make labels, read plays, screen films, program concerts, write checks, balance the budget, communicate with their unique contacts, and so much more.

Every board member is attached to at least one of Jasper’s primary projects (Jasper Magazine, galleries, Play Right Project, 2nd Act Film Project, or any of our one-off projects like the Degenerate Arts Project we just finished up or our upcoming Peter Lenzo Retrospective and Remembrance which will open at Stormwater Studios on April 3rd.)

New board members are officially elected into their seats at our annual board retreat in January, though when potential new board members come along throughout the year, we invite them “to date” Jasper until the next retreat. This gives the potential director time to learn how Jasper works and decide whether they can see themselves as part of our motley crew. And the reciprocal works for Jasper.

In January 2026, Jasper voted in 7 new directors to join our already existing board of 14 sitting members. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing these amazing people to you via Jasper Online. We invite you to check back here daily to MEET JASPER, and we will introduce you to the hard-working and talented individuals who make up the Jasper Project Board of Directors.

Meet Jane Turner Peterson!

Jane Turner Peterson is a retired marketing professional in the non-profit sector with an arts background. She holds a BA in Theatre from the University of South Carolina. She has been involved in arts marketing in several areas, including graphic design, advertising, and sales, since the 80s. She was most recently the Director of Communications at Washington Street UMC in Columbia. Jane has been involved both on stage and as a director in the local theatre scene for numerous years. Jane is excited to begin her journey with Jasper to be a part of an organization whose mission reflects her love of the arts.

Jane is the Theatre Editor for Jasper Magazine and the project director for the Play Right Project. She also serves on the Project & Planning Committee, the Marketing Committee, and the Magazine Committee.

Welcome Jane!

Jasper Does Artista Vista Featuring Visual Artist Adam Corbett

Artist - Adam Corbett

Join the Jasper Project on Friday, April 17th from 6 - 9 at Coal Powered Filmworks (1217 Lincoln Street, right across from Blue Marlin) for an evening of visual arts, music, and many more surprises as we celebrate Artista Vista.

Check out art by Adam Corbett outside and pop inside for music and a copy of Jasper Magazine.

Find out about everything happening in Columbia’s Historic Congaree Vista for the whole weekend by visiting Artista Vista.

Announcing The Jasper Alley at Tapp’s With Our Inaugural First Thursday Opening Reception - April 2nd Featuring Jarid Lyfe Brown!

We’re Back!

In service to our mission of finding and programming gallery spaces for Midlands-area artists wherever we can, The Jasper Project is delighted to announce that we are back on Main Street starting on Thursday April 2nd and we’re featuring Jarid Lyfe Brown as our first First Thursday Artist!

That’s right, we’re back! In partnership with our host, the Shoppes at Tapp’s, Jasper will be presenting group and solo shows right on Main Street once again and we couldn’t be happier! Our friends at the Shoppes at Tapp’s have graciously allocated a nice long corridor to the right of the showroom where, starting in April, you’ll find Jasper-curated art from our beloved local artists—and we’re naming it The Jasper Alley at Tapp’s.

We’re so happy to welcome the art of Jarid Lyfe Brown to these welcoming walls!

Jarid Lyfe Brown lives in Gilbert, SC. He was born in 1974 and, as a young artist, earned a perfect score of 5 for the portfolio he entered into an AP art contest at Harvard University. Brown was awarded a scholarship to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in 1992. From 1994 until the present, Brown has mounted multiple shows in locations that ranged from galleries to coffee shops around SC, NC, and Michigan. Brown says, “I paint every day, and complete around 7-10 new paintings per month.” Brown is married and has three children. When he is not painting, he is doing construction work and thinking about what he'll paint next.

For his artist’s statement Brown writes, “All of my hard work is about everyday life. It is hard to predict or explain because I submit myself to create in an unplanned method. I paint from what I hear, learn, experience, opinions, perspectives, joy, hurt, and reactions. It may make sense or not at all, and that is similar to life. I just want to be raw and honest, but not crude. I try to paint directly and literally. I enjoy literature and writing so I apply that to my painting. I also enjoy an attempt to bridge expressionism to realism and I don’t want to be classified as either. I want to be better, different, or more in all of these experiences. I use animals to express mindsets and characteristics of a person.”

We’ll be announcing our full line-up for 2026 soon, but for now, be sure to add The Jasper Alley at Tapp’s to your First Thursday agenda. Stop by to have a beer or a glass of vino, view Jarid’s exhibition, chat with the artist, and bump into all your old and new First Thursday Friends.

We’re back on Main, y’all and we’re so happy to be there!

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Jasper Presents Lucas Sams Art Pick-Up & Print Sale - Friday March 27th, 12 - 2 at Sound Bites Eatery

Did you purchase art from Lucas Sams, Jasper’s Featured First Thursday Artist at Sound Bites Eatery? Yes? The artist has set aside two hours to meet you to deliver your art on Friday March 27 from 12 - 2 at Sound Bites Eatery, 1425 Sumter Street.

Sams will also be bringing additional prints of his work to sale during this time period.

Don’t miss your chance to meet up with artist Lucas Sams and pick up your purchases this Friday at noon!

The South Carolina Academy of Authors Inducts Four New Writers into the SC Literary Hall of Fame

On Saturday, March 21st, The Board of Governors of the SC Academy of Authors, in partnership with USC Aiken, presented the 2026 Induction Ceremony honoring the newest members of the SC Literary Hall of Fame at USCA’s Etherredge Center in Aiken.

The event included a lovely, sold-out dinner for the attendees, followed by an intimate induction ceremony at which individual members of the SCAA Board of Governors had the honor of speaking about the new members before the inductees warmly addressed the audience themselves.

The newest members of the SCAA’s SC Literary Hall of Fame are Claudia Smith Brinson, Dr. Dianne Johnson-Feelings, Augustus Jenkins Farmer, and J. Drew Lanham.

SCAA Board of Governor’s member Betsy Teter inducts J. Drew Lanham into the Academy’s SC Literary Hall of Fame

A native of Edgefield, SC, J. Drew Lanham is a poet, memoirist, naturalist, playwright, professor, and a recipient of the 2022 MacArthur Fellowship “genius” grant. He is the author of The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature (2016), Sparrow Envy: A Field Guide to Birds and Lesser Beasts (2021), and Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves (2024). He is the Poet Laureate of Edgefield County and a Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University.

SCAA Board of Governors member Tom Mack Inducts Jenks Farmer into the Academy’s SC Literary Hall of Fame

Augustus “Jenks” Farmer has created two of the largest botanical gardens in SC, building and elevating the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens in Columbia to national acclaim. He is the author of Deep-Rooted Wisdom: Skills and Stories from Generations of Gardeners (2014), Funky Little Flower Farm  (2019), Crinum: Unearthing the History and Culture of the Biggest Bulbs in the World (2022), Garden Disrupters: The Rebel Misfits Who Turned Southern Horticulture on Its Head (2023), and Secrets of Southern Gardening (2025).

SCAA Board of Governors member Aida Rogers (right) inducts Dianne Johnson-Feelings into the Academy’s SC Literary Hall of Fame

Dr. Dianne Johnson-Feelings (Dinah Johnson) is a professor of English at the University of SC and has written ten books for children, all celebrating African American culture and community. She earned her undergraduate degree in English and creative writing from Princeton University and master's and doctoral degrees from Yale University, in Afro-American Studies and American Studies, respectively. Johnson's first published book was called Telling Tales: The Pedagogy and Promise of African American Literature for Youth (1990) was deemed “a much needed resource for children's literature" and was considered for several years as "the only book-length critical study of early black children's literature." She also edited The Best of The Brownies' Book, an anthology published in 1996 with texts from The Brownies Book a 1920s magazine aimed at African-American children which is considered "a major contribution to the field of children's literature."


SCAA Board of Governors member Cindi Boiter (left) inducts Claudia Smith Brinson into the Academy’s SC Literary Hall of Fame

Claudia Smith Brinson worked as a journalist for more than 30 years and was a national columnist for Knight-Ridder. Her reporting at The State newspaper won more than three dozen awards and she was the first person to win Knight-Ridder’s Award of Excellence in Journalism twice. She was a member of the newspaper team whose Hurricane Hugo coverage was a Pulitzer finalist and her short story “Einstein’s Daughter” received the O. Henry Award. She is the author of Stories of Struggle: The Clash Over Civil Rights in South Carolina (2020) and Injustice in Focus: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams (2024).

The SCAA selects new inductees whose works have been judged culturally important. Each inductee, whether living or deceased, has added to South Carolina’s literary legacy by illuminating some aspect of South Carolina culture and gaining a reputation that transcends the borders of our state. Including this year’s induction, the SCAA, founded in 1986, will have officially inducted more than 100 authors into its literary hall of fame.

The SCAA Board of Governors “believes in the extraordinary creativity of the human spirit and the value of multicultural diversity displayed in the work of all South Carolina writers. It is deeply committed to creating and sustaining practices that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion and strives to support these beliefs and holds itself accountable to these intentions.”

In addition to hosting this literary hall of fame, the SCAA also sponsors annual fellowships and student prizes in poetry and prose through support from the Penelope Coker Hall/Eliza Wilson Ingle Fund of Central Carolina Community Foundation. The SCAA is also grateful to the South Carolina Arts Commission for their sponsorship and support.

For more information about the South Carolina Academy of Authors visit the website.

New SC Literary Hall of Fame Inductees Drew Lanham and Dinah Johnson relax during a closing brunch at the home of Tom Mack and Michael Budd

(Full Disclosure: Cindi Boiter is a member of the Jasper Project’s board of directors and the author of this piece)

(Photo Credit - Tom Mack and event attendees)

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The Jasper Project Presents Cait Maloney in the Nook Gallery at Koger Center for the Arts

The Jasper Project is pleased to present artist Cait Maloney in our Nook Gallery at Koger Center for the Arts with an opening reception Friday March 20th from 5:30 - 7 pm.

From her engaging color pallet to her nostalgic and evocative imagery, Cait Maloney has made her mark all over Columbia, SC and beyond. The Jasper Project is thrilled to work, once again, with Maloney by featuring her in our Jasper-curated gallery space, The Nook, at the Koger Center.

Cait Maloney - photo by Cait Patel

In her Artist’s Statement Maloney writes, “I help businesses and individuals visually communicate through thoughtful, engaging and effective design.

I have had a passion for visual communication and carbohydrates as long as I can remember. Growing up in a small town in upstate New York, I was one of few with a serious interest in art and design, but I knew I could make a career of it when one of my early works were stealthily heisted from a maximum security bulletin board in high school. I went on to navigate the waters of art school and earned a BFA in illustration from Syracuse University.

I’m currently based in Columbia, South Carolina, working as senior art director for Flock and Rally while also doing specialty illustration, design and mural projects; creating new things every day and slowly sweating to death.

When I’m not brainstorming a new brand concept or inking a drawing, I’m working on art for myself, reading a magazine on the beach or seeing some live music.”

Maloney has worked nationally and internationally with clients like Abita Brewing Company, Diesel Fragrance, the YMCA, TD Bank and PGA Junior League Golf and locally with clients like the Central Midlands Council of Government, The City of Columbia, Charleston County, and the South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association. Cait serves on the board of the Columbia Design League, an affiliate of the Columbia Museum of Art. Her mural, “Lady Vista,” was commissioned by the Congaree Vista Guild and is located on the east wall of 916 Gervais Street in downtown Columbia, S.C.

Join The Jasper Project at the Nook Gallery on the second tier of the Koger Center for the Arts for our opening reception where you can meet and chat with the artist, and view and purchase her work.

See you there!

Koger Center Announces Music Series Line-Up & Jasper Will Be There for All the Concerts!

The Jasper Project is delighted to partner with USC’s Koger Center for the Arts and all our amazing neighborhood arts groups on this lovely free concert series!

The Koger Center for the Arts has set the headliners for the first Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series, a series of free outdoor concerts sponsored in part by the LevittFoundation. The concerts will take place on the Plaza Stage on the Koger Center’s front lawn from 5 - 7 p.m., with the rain location being indoors in either the Black Box Theater or second floor lobby. 

The full lineup features ten concerts split between the spring and fall seasons. All concerts are free, open to the public and will have opportunities for off stage community engagement (that’s Jasper, y’all!) for the audience. The schedule is as follows: 

 

Spring

Saturday, April 18: River Shook Duo

Saturday, April 25: Sunny War

Saturday, May 2: Five OHM

Saturday, May 9: Carolyn Wonderland

Fall

Thursday, September 10: Admiral Radio

Thursday, September 17: Black Nerd Mafia

Thursday, September 24: Molly Martin

Thursday, October 1: Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise

Thursday, October 8: Sam Morrow

Thursday, October 15: Making Movies

 

Each concert will feature a local Midlands based opening act! The Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series is dedicated to uplifting Columbia as a cultural hub and destination for accessible entertainment. The series is supported by a variety of community partners, including the Jasper Project, ONE Columbia, ColaJazz, South Carolina Philharmonic, University of South Carolina Student Life, Black Nerd Mafia, the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement, the City of Columbia, the Columbia Chamber, and the Vista Guild. 

Geared to towns and cities with populations under 250,000, Levitt AMP grantees reflect the three goals of the LevittAMP Music Series program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, Levitt AMP is a catalytic opportunity for towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all. Columbia is the only Levitt AMP location in South Carolina.

Columbia residents are encouraged to follow along with the development of the series over the next three years by visiting www.KogerCenterForTheArts.com, and following @LevittAmpColumbia and @KogerCenterForTheArts on Instagram.

REVIEW: Clayton King Reviews Town Theatre's The Secret Garden for Jasper

In The Secret Garden at Town Theatre, a team of theater artists use a wealth of talent to the task of bringing Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved 1911 children's novel to the stage. The 1991 Tony award-winning musical's script and lyrics are by Marsha Norman, with music by Lucy Simon, who packed a lot of story into the script. The show won three Tony awards, including Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Best Scenic Design.

The show leaves no stone unturned in telling the story of how a 10-year-old orphan, Mary Lennox (Bailey Bostic*), wins the love of her distant, widowed guardian, her uncle Archibald Craven (Lanny Spires), even as she finds her own self-worth by communing with nature in the locked garden of the uncle's vast Yorkshire estate. A catalyst for her journey comes from the character of Collin (Ezra Lindley*), Mary’s 10-year-old cousin and the bedridden, spoiled, and sickly son of Archibald Craven. Both children handled these complicated roles with equal aplomb. Other supporting roles included Martha, a housemaid (delightfully portrayed by Ashton Boland), and her brother, Dickon (unsurprisingly well done by Nathan Jackson). As the production moves forward, the performers are charged with unveiling many story threads and themes.

Under the direction of Jane Cato, the cast has accomplished their basic mission. Performances by actors with named roles were robust, and the deceptively difficult musical score was aptly led by Musical Director Michael Simmons, with a small band that delivered an orchestral sound. It was particularly nice to see the band on stage. In full disclosure, I was part of a production of The Secret Garden almost two years ago, which gave me insight into the wealth of information presented and devices used to convey it; because of this, some moments were easier for me to understand than for some other audience members with whom I had the opportunity to chat at intermission and after the show.

The production uses a combination of flashbacks and “past into present” devices to tell the tale. The production at Town Theatre offers a credible if sometimes confusing adaptation. Included in the ensemble were the Restorers, a group of dancers that appeared throughout the production, played by Whitney Allen, Meryn Creasman, Taryn Davis, Laura-Louise Rice, Lauren Sudduth, and Bethany Truel. As a theatrical device, this was especially effective in two places: the opening scene, where the spread of Cholera in Mary’s home in India kills everyone she knows, and in “Wick,” when Dickon (ably performed by Nathan Jackson) shows Mary that nurturing a garden can bring it (and humans) back to full life. Also in the ensemble are the Dreamers – ghosts from Mary’s past who serve as a kind of Greek chorus, carrying the score’s intricate, haunting musical themes and often interacting directly in scenes. In Town’s production, the Dreamers handle the score evenly and are played by Emily Banks, Gavin Slusher, Karly Minacepelli Shorter, Sam Derrick, Ethan Wilson, Caroline Lindler, Connor Etcheson, Emily Grace McIntyre, Sadie Slusher, and Gracelynn Wall (Young Mary).

Lanny Spires shines as Archibald Craven and is known to Columbia audiences for his strong vocals, offering a beautifully poetic, tortured soul as he tackled both musical and thematic demands. It was odd, though, that as a hunchback, he appeared without a hump and was encumbered with a cane. This limited his otherwise flawless performance. Lily (Carley Campbell Siglin*) in ghost form delivered soaring vocals and set the tone of the show in the opening, as she hauntingly beckoned, “Come to my Garden.”

Archibald’s younger brother and keeper of the estate (Austin Means) was solid in his vocal performance, and Carol Beis (unsurprisingly) nailed both the accent and character as Mrs. Medlock, the estate’s housekeeper.

Ashton Boland was absolutely delightful as Martha, a housemaid who gently pushes Mary to become more independent, and Todd Gustafson as Ben Weatherstaff, the head gardener at the estate, was delightfully crotchety and caring at the same time. Ezra Lindley, as Collin Craven, was another delight, rambling with questions or telling a story as children are wont to do.

Jeremy Hansard’s set was part representative and part literal, mixing a ramshackle, declining sort of house/garden combination and providing several staging areas in an effective way. Lighting, while sometimes too dim, was quite effective in setting the mood as performers moved to various spaces that included both indoor and garden locations. I should note that Town Theatre’s fairly recent practice of having a cast member record the preshow speech delights audiences, and last night was no exception.

Heather Gonzalez's costumes were a standout, providing period-appropriate garments, and had the Dreamers, all costumed in ghostly white, making it easy to distinguish ghosts from humans.

Apart from a few “opening night” issues with microphones or costumes, The Secret Garden is a success, and everyone involved should be proud. The audience sometimes had trouble locating the show's pulse in a few areas. For example, unlike traditional musicals, The Secret Garden does not employ full-scale production numbers. While the dancers were clearly enjoying their time on stage, I found that they sometimes distracted from other poignant moments, such as “I Heard Someone Crying” and “Quartet.” Both songs are individual soliloquies, performed introspectively by the principal characters. So much movement on stage took away from the strength of what each of these characters was relating to the audience. Early on, I was momentarily confused when Mary first got dressed and donned a white dress. Then, while I was trying to make sense of this, she added a richly colored coat, which instantly answered the question. At times while using the spaces available, scenes felt separated a bit too far making them hard to follow. Audiences should be prepared for a longer-than-usual running time, but the show's pace keeps them engaged and wondering what the resolution to Mary’s situation will be.

*The show runs March 13-29, with Caitlin Thomas White alternating as Lily, Molly Adams as Mary, and Carter Ellingson as Collin.

(Editor’s Note: In the original post the name Gracelynn Wall was inadvertently omitted. We apologize for this error.)

REVIEW: Jane Peterson Reviews Guys and Dolls at Workshop Theatre

Dames, Dice, and Plenty of Charm: Guys & Dolls at Workshop Theatre

Workshop Theatre raised the curtain Friday night on Guys & Dolls, the beloved musical comedy set against the colorful backdrop of 1950s New York, and the audience could not have been more receptive. The show traces its roots to the short stories of Damon Runyon, brought to the stage by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, with the irresistible score and lyrics of Frank Loesser. The production first dazzled Broadway on November 24, 1950, earning the Tony for Best Musical the following year, and later inspired a 1955 film featuring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine.

At its heart, the story follows two incorrigible gamblers who find themselves wagering on something far more unpredictable than dice — love. Sky Masterson (Evan Cook) accepts a bet from Nathan Detroit (Frank Thompson) that he can't convince straight-laced Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown (Sara Slaughter) to join him on a spontaneous trip to Cuba. Meanwhile, Detroit is doing everything in his power to avoid walking down the aisle with his long-suffering girlfriend Adelaide (Maegen Hodges), a dancer at the Hot Spot nightclub. The two storylines weave together through a lively mix of gamblers, showgirls, Salvation Army meetings, and one memorable Cuban detour.

Workshop's production delivers a genuinely good time. The music is bright and infectious, though at times the music threatened to drown out the vocals — which is a pity, because the singing across the cast was commendably very strong.

Frank Thompson brings Nathan Detroit to life with wonderful energy, capturing the character's perpetually flustered, shifty charm as he scrambles to find a venue for his floating craps game while staying one step ahead of the law. His vocals were solid throughout, particularly in the duet Sue Me alongside Maegan Hodges, whose voice was simply outstanding. Hodges deserves real credit for holding her own in some of the more demanding passages, and her portrayal of the lovably scatterbrained nightclub performer was both sharp and thoroughly entertaining. Her turn with the Hot Box girls in A Bushel & A Peck was a genuine crowd-pleaser.

Sara Slaughter was a standout as the buttoned-up Sarah Brown, bringing a sharp comic sensibility and a wonderfully expressive face to the role. Her rendition of If I Were a Bell was a real highlight.

Evan Cook's take on Sky Masterson carried all the Brando-inflected cool the role demands — self-assured and magnetic, it's a performance well worth the price of admission on its own. His scenes opposite Slaughter were especially fun, and their duets ranked among the evening's best moments.

The gambling fraternity — George Dinsmore as Benny, Joshua Diveley as Nicely-Nicely, Davis Herndon as Harry the Horse, and Julian Deleon as Big Jule — gave the show much of its texture and flavor. Each brought something distinct to their role, and the ensemble felt cohesive and committed. The "confession" scene was another high point, and Deleon's turn as the menacing Chicago gangster was particularly fun to watch.

The ensemble featured Lisa Baker, Dylan Livingston, Sophie Legare, Caroline Leonard, Blythe Long, Abby Mathias, Ann McGaha, James Nolan, Absalom Oliver, Elizabeth Rawson, Katie Rooney, Joey Weaver, Dara Younce and Tyler Zangler, whose portrayal of the policeman added some great comedic moments.

The vocal performance of the night, for this reviewer, belonged to Rich Fisher as Arvide Abernathy, Sarah's grandfather. His solo More I Cannot Wish You was quietly moving and left a lasting impression — here is a performer worth watching. Also deserving of mention were Joshua Dively's spirited Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat, and the entire ensemble’s rousing rendition of Luck Be a Lady Tonight.

Director Bakari Lebby kept things brisk and lively, moving the show along at a confident clip. That said, a couple of production details gave pause. A push-button pay phone appearing as a set piece was a noticeable anachronism — period-appropriate props shouldn't be difficult to source for a show so firmly rooted in its era. Similarly, one particular wig felt like an afterthought, lacking the period styling that the rest of the costumes — which were largely on point — carried off so well. On the technical side, Patrick Faulds' set and lighting design served the show admirably, Kathy Seppamaki's music direction was crisp and capable, and Katherine Brown's choreography kept the stage energized. Additional crew included Hayle Barry (assistant director), Jeni McCaughan (producer), Andie Nicks (costumes), and Adeline Huggins (stage manager).

Guys & Dolls runs through March 28th at Workshop Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at workshoptheatreofsc.org or by calling the box office at 803-799-6551. Workshop Theatre is located on the Columbia College campus in the Cottingham Theatre, at 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC.

Jane Turner Peterson