Jasper presents Line-Up for First Thursday Featured Artists at Sound Bites Eatery

It almost feels like we’re back to normal.

But really, what is normal? Will we ever be normal again? Were we ever normal to start with?

You can help answer these questions and more by joining Jasper as we bring back one of our favorite pre-pandemic events - gathering with the Jasper tribe (that’s YOU!) to welcome art from a featured artist to our walls. But now, given that the Jasper Project no longer has walls on Main Street we’ll be gathering for First Thursdays Slightly Off Main at Sound Bites Eatery at 1425 Sumter Street, one block off Main Street between the Taylor and Hampton Street blocks.

After an exciting launch of our new series in April with featured artist Michael Shepard, we’re thrilled to announce our line-up for the season below:

May 5 – Alex Ruskell

June 2 – Kimber Carpenter

July 7 – Ginny Merett

August 4 – Marius Valdes

September 1 – Quincy Pugh

We’ll start at 6 pm and the artists will be in the house to chat with you about their art and maybe grab a photo with you when you pick out a treasure to take home.

Terri Mac and Mai Turner will have the kitchen open so plan on grabbing a delicious dinner or glass of vino or beer to enjoy while you check out new art and either catch up with friends or meet some new ones.

In the meantime, stop by Sound Bites Eatery by the end of April for some yummy food and the art of Michael Shepard!

WELCOME VALERIE LAMOTT to Jasper's TINY Gallery

At Jasper, we can’t get over the work Valerie Lamott has put together for our April Tiny Gallery show!

So many descriptors come to mind when writing about Lamott’s art — grounded in place, meaningful, sentimental, powerful, pristine, Cola-centric — but mostly, exquisite! The detail the artist brings to her jewelry, with each piece being hand-made, unique, and personally inspired, makes the opportunity we have to show and offer this work to Jasper readers a real honor.

Valerie Lamott is a Columbia, SC, based jewelry artisan, but can rarely be found there. She's more likely to be hiking or camping or kayaking in any one of America's state parks. She uses these places as inspiration for her artwork and hopes it inspires others to play outside too.

WE hope you enjoy seeing and perhaps purchasing Lamott’s work as much as we enjoy presenting it.

Visit Tiny Gallery for many more pieces.

Check out the whole lineup of Tiny Gallery Artists for 2022.

Do YOU Have your Birthday Party Tickets Yet?

We have limited the number of attendees to 150 including all the participating artists, so don’t sleep on locking your ticket down!

We have music from Post Timey String Band, pop up art performances from Columbia Reparatory Dance Company & others, live painting by Michael Krajewski & Lucas Sams, an art show featuring work from 20 Soda City - based artists, a raffle like you’ve never seen before, food from Chef Joe Turkaly, a VIP Champagne reception and so much more!

Jasper Presents First Thursday at Sound Bites with Featured Artist Michael Shepard

We're so happy that Mai Turner & Terri MacLaughlin have invited Jasper in to host First Thursdays for them at Sound Bites Eatery -- And that they are letting us feature a new artist each month!

Join us at 6 pm on Thursday April 7th for dinner, drinks, art from Michael Shepard, and/or a comfy place to gather with your arts-loving friends!

Sound Bites is located at 1425 Sumter Street, one block off Main Street between Hampton and Washington.

About Artist Michael Shepard

Michael Shepard, a South Carolina native and long term resident of Columbia, SC, is an eclectic artist currently working in acrylics, soft pastels and mixed media. His styles, techniques and media change with each piece depending on the subject matter and the inspiration it ensues.

When asked what creating art means to him, Michael responded: “Well, I could say Art is an expression of the feelings and interpretations of my situation in the world around me. It’s a means to escape isolation and means to process emotions. It’s a salvation from adversity and destitution and it is also a celebration of well being and happiness…”

“But really, I’m just a guy painting pictures and hopefully creating works people will enjoy.”

Stay tuned for more about Michael Shepard as we approach First Thursday. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you on Sumter Street and Sound Bites Eatery!