Two Events Coming Up Celebrating GENERATIONS: 100 Years of Arts at the University of South Carolina

The University of SC’s School of Visual Art and Design is having a birthday - and it’s a big one!

Established in 1925, USC’s School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) is celebrating it’s 100th birthday this year with two events coming up next week at Columbia Museum of Arts The Loft, as well as at McKissick Museum on the campus of USC.

On Friday, December 5th you’re invited to help celebrate this auspicious occasion by attending a reception in honor of the museum’s exhibition of art from alumni and professors, current and contemporary, titled Generations: 100 Years of Arts at The University of South Carolina. Curated by students under the direction of Susan Felleman and Lana Burgess last spring. The reception is from 4 - 5:30 and is free.

Later, you may join celebrants at our Columbia Museum of Art’s The Loft (1515 Main Street) for an even bigger bash from 6:30 - 9:30. The evening includes live music, food, drink, opportunities to purchase art, and a short talk by Deborah Solomon, New York art critic and authorized biographer of the artist, former Lake Murray resident and USC student Jasper Johns, the artist for whom our little magazine was named. Tickets are required for this event and may be purchased by clicking this link. Please note: there is a sizeable reduction in ticket prices for artists who are self-employed. (Kudos to the event planners for giving this much-appreciated financial break to working artists!)

Jasper congratulates and honors all the members of the SVAD family!

Acts of Attention -- A PhotoPoetics Exhibition at Stormwater Studios

April 3 - April 13

“Acts of Attention” will be on view in the SVAD Studio at Stormwater Studios from Thursday, April 3 to Sunday, April 13, with an opening reception on Thursday, April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This exhibition brings together photographic works and writings from eight photographers, eight poets, and their instructors, all currently engaged in the Photopoetics course, co-taught by Ed Madden (English) and Kathleen Robbins (Art). The course explores the dynamic relationship between poetry and photography, encouraging writers and photographers to work alongside one another, exchange creative insights, and discover new ways of seeing and interpreting the world.

While poetry and photography are distinct forms, poets and photographers share the ability to capture moments, evoke emotions, and shape perception. The exhibition showcases the culmination of this interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring poetry and photography created throughout the semester. The reception will also include PechaKucha performances—a dynamic storytelling format that highlights the creative dialogue between words and images.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 11 AM – 3 PM

Featured Artists & Writers:

Alexander Arquette, Gracie Belk, Amy Chalmers, Josh Kendrick, Katy McCormack, Nneoma Ohale, Ciara Orness, Ricardo Rodriguez, Audrey Savage, Fiona Schrier, Sarah Stoddart, Ceara Tellez, Daniel Wartham, Lauren Wickham, Nora Williams, Madison Yoest, Ed Madden, and Kathleen Robbins.