NEWS & Happenings

A new live music offering will now be a part of Third Thursday events in the Vista at Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing located at 705 A Gervais Street. Vista Live will begin September 17 and run through the end of the year, including a performance during the annual Vista Lights presented by Prisma Health on November 19. The performances will take place from 6-9 p.m and are free to enjoy.

The music series is as follows:

• September 17: Reggie Sullivan Band
• October 15: Sam & Illia Band
• November 19: Prettier Than Matt
• December 17: TBD

"Vista Live is a great addition to our Third Thursday events,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director, Abby Anderson. “Adding live music was a natural expansion of our already popular Vista Third Thursday Art Night. Between these shows and the Levitt AMP Columbia concert series at the Koger Center, there are ample opportunities to experience live music in the Vista.”

“Live music and community have always been at the heart of the Steel Hands experience,” said Ashley Lambert, Marketing Director of Steel Hands Brewing. “Vista Live builds on that shared passion, bringing live music, local artists and the Vista community together.”

More information can be found at VistaColumbia.com. 

The Congaree Vista Guild will welcome new and returning students to the area with its participation in the 3-day Capital City Kickoff event. Vista businesses will participate on Saturday, August 29 from 1-5pm with special promotions as well as a free concert in Finlay Park at 6 p.m.

The Capital City Kickoff is a 3-day experience intended to acquaint new and returning students to various areas in Columbia and showcase areas known for shopping, dining and entertainment.

"The Capital City Kickoff is a great opportunity for the Vista’s businesses to show what they have to offer in dining, entertainment and shopping,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director, Abby Anderson. “We hope students will join us on Saturday afternoon and enjoy a meal, some shopping and everything the Vista has to offer.”

Several Vista businesses are participating in the Capital Crawl with specials and discounts on August 29th to welcome guests to the area.

- AURA Kitchen + Bar (916 Gervais Street)- Visit AURA and enjoy a live DJ, student-exclusive food and drink specials, and giveaways throughout the event. Students with a valid college ID will receive 15% off food, enjoy our handcrafted mocktails and signature menu, and have the opportunity to enter a giveaway for an Aura Kitchen + Bar gift card by following us on social media. 

- South Carolina State Museum (301 Gervais Street)- All students receive free museum general admission on August 29 from 1 - 5 p.m.

- Grill Marks (711 Gervais Street)- Come enjoy free mini shakes as well as drink and food specials. Experience the limited time offer: Sweet Caroline burger made with brisket chili combo with fries and Marks Lager/or soda $16.99. Branded swag giveaway drawing starts at 4:30 (must be present to win). Experience outdoor games on the patio.

- Addam’s Gamecock Gear (740 Gervais Street, Suite 150)- Stop by for all your Gamecock needs to start the school year! Special discount for attendees while you enjoy light refreshments! Also, enjoy a free gift when you follow Addams Gamecock Gear on Instagram (while supplies last).

- Experience Columbia SC Visitors Center (1120 Lincoln Street)- The Columbia Visitors Center is excited to welcome all our new students to the city! We love sharing all of the fun and interesting things that Columbia has to offer! Come by for maps, insider information and advice about Columbia, FREE popcorn and treats, door prizes, and discounts on Columbia merch and locally made items!

- The Raccoon’s Den (1223 Lincoln Street)- Enjoy new sale items and enter the raffle for free admission to the next art class.

- Escapology Columbia (717 Lady Street, Suite D)- Join the escape with a 20% off discount code (USCVISTA20) that is valid from Thursday through Saturday. Also, enter the raffle to win a free game for up to 6 players.

- Downtown Beach Bar & Grill (918 Gervais Street)- Join us for a beach party with a special guest DJ. Frozen cocktails drink specials and $1 off Tacos!

- Small Mart At Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly Street)- Small Mart is an annual celebration of all things tiny! This year’s free event includes an incredible artist market with nothing over 4 inches, tiny games and art activities, and Finders Keepers, a tiny art scavenger hunt.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced the installation of a new Free Little Art Exchange at 1300 Lincoln Street (the Lady Street entrance to the Lincoln Street Tunnel. The official unveiling is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26 at 11 a.m. and residents are encouraged to bring any small art piece that they would like to donate.

The Little Free Art Exchange is modeled after Little Free Libraries but instead of exchanging books, participants can trade small art creations that they have made or found.

"Since The Vista’s roots are in the visual arts, we thought the addition of a Little Free Art Exchange would be the perfect addition to the area,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director, Abby Anderson. “We hope the Exchange will be a fun way to create community and for residents and visitors to share their creativity while enjoying someone else’s.”

The Little Free Art Exchange is a permanent structure located at the Lady Street entrance to the Lincoln Street Tunnel. The small mural on the side of the installation was created by local artist, Shaina Manuel. Local residents are encouraged to visit and contribute appropriate art items.

For more tiny art, visit SmallMart at Richland Library Main on Saturday, August 29 from 11-3. For more information, https://www.instagram.com/smallmartsc/.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced the election of new board members for 2026-2029. The organization has a 13-member board, six of whom are selected by the current board members, six are elected by the membership of the Vista Guild and one seat is for the president of the Vista Neighborhood Association.

Newly elected board members by business members are:

- Ariel Brady, Motor Supply Co. Bistro

- Chip Wade, Koger Center for the Arts

- Cheryl Swanson, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

- Shriya Patel, Hilton Columbia Center & Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District

Newly appointed members by the board are:

- Beth Frost, Cohn Construction

- Dale Marshall, Architrave

- Clark Ellefson, Lewis + Clark

- Guy Jones, River Runner Outdoor Center

- Hal Stevenson, Grace Outdoor

- Rosie Craig, R. MacFarlane Craig Real Estate

These elected and appointed members join existing members:

- Joseph Kendrick, University of South Carolina

- Annie Linn Green, LS3P

- Carolyn Leedecker, Vista Neighborhood Association

The Vista Neighborhood Association and One Columbia have announced the unveiling of a new sculpture, “Traverse”, by Clark Ellefson on Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m. The event will take place on the south side of the Lincoln Street Tunnel and is free and open to the public. The new sculpture is designed to celebrate the history and spirit of the Vista community.

“This new sculpture really captures what the Vista is all about,” said Abby Anderson, Executive Director of the Congaree Vista Guild. “It captures the historical significance of our district and is appropriately placed at one of our most notable sites.”

The installation was commissioned by the Vista Neighborhood Association, in partnership with the Congaree Vista Guild and One Columbia for Arts and Culture. One Columbia works with the City of Columbia, community organizations, and private entities to bring public art to the community by commissioning, administering, maintaining, and marking public art throughout the city.

For more information about the Congaree Vista Guild, visit www.VistaColumbia.com or call (803) 269-5946. Follow the Vista Guild on Facebook, X and Instagram: @TheVistaSC. For more information on One Columbia for Arts and Culture, visit OneColumbiaSC.com.

More than $475 million in completed and planned private and public investment over the past several years has reshaped the Congaree Vista into one of downtown Columbia’s most active economic centers, according to figures compiled by the Congaree Vista Guild. The growth reflects a steady expansion of hospitality, residential, office and public-space development that has reinforced the district’s role in the region’s broader economic development strategy.

Since 2020, projects totaling more than $236 million have opened within the Vista, including large-scale mixed-use, hotel and public-space developments. An additional $240 million in projects is currently planned or underway, signaling continued investment interest in the district as Columbia’s downtown footprint expands.

“The scale and diversity of these projects show that the Vista is no longer driven by a single sector,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director Abby Anderson. “Hospitality, residential, office and public investments are all moving forward at the same time, which is a strong indicator of long-term economic stability.”

The Congaree Vista, a designated South Carolina Cultural District, spans several blocks west of the State House and includes galleries, restaurants, hotels, condominiums, office space and specialty retail. Long known for its arts and nightlife offerings, the district has increasingly become a focal point for larger capital projects tied to tourism, workforce housing and commercial activity.

Among the most significant completed developments is Gateway 737, a $170 million mixed-use project that includes student housing units, retail space and structured parking. Additional hospitality investments include the $15.1 million Cambria Hotel and the $12.28 million Homewood Suites/Tru by Hilton, both of which expanded hotel capacity in the district and added meeting and event space.

Public and adaptive-reuse projects have also contributed to the district’s momentum. The $21.5 million redevelopment of Finlay Park, located in the Vista, represents a major investment in public infrastructure and green space, while projects such as the $14 million Lantern Hotel Columbia and the $3.2 million Sylvan’s redevelopment reflect continued reinvestment in historic properties.

That trend is expected to continue. Planned projects in the Vista represent an additional $240 million in anticipated investment, anchored by large residential and mixed-use developments. Among them is Verve Columbia, an $85 million project, as well as Palmetto Place SC, estimated at $50 million, and LOCAL Columbia, a mixed-use development projected at approximately $80 million.

Other upcoming projects include Silver Hills Apartments, Seaboard Vista, The Vonton Hotel and smaller mixed-use projects combining ground-floor retail with housing.

Collectively, the completed and planned developments underscore the Vista’s growing importance as a connector between Columbia’s central business district, the University of South Carolina and the Congaree River. The concentration of housing, employment and visitor-serving uses supports increased foot traffic and longer dwell times, which benefit surrounding businesses.

The Congaree Vista Guild, a nonprofit membership organization, works with property owners, businesses and public partners to support the district through advocacy, events, district services and coordination with city planning efforts. The organization tracks development activity and promotes policies that encourage balanced growth while preserving the Vista’s historic character.

As Columbia continues to invest in downtown revitalization and infrastructure, the scale of development in the Vista reflects broader regional trends favoring dense, mixed-use urban districts. For local businesses and policymakers, the numbers point to a district that has moved beyond revitalization into a sustained phase of economic growth.

The Vista Neighborhood Association (VNA) and the Congaree Vista Guild are hosting the 4th Annual Alley Golf Tournament in the Vista on Saturday, April 11.

Proceeds from the event go 100% toward art projects in the Vista.

The event is from 2-6 PM and has 3 mini golf holes in a tournament format which will be set up at Steel Hands Vista - 705 Gervais St. Players will have a chance to win 1st and 2nd place prizes and also win prizes through random drawings.

Players purchase a scorecard for $20, play each hole, and turn in their scorecard. Live updates will be shown at Steel Hands Vista. VNA will also randomly draw winners from completed score cards, regardless of the total score. While at Steel Hands Vista, enjoy complimentary spirits tasting for all scorecard holders!

** Visit Park & Lady at 1000 Park Street after 4pm at the bar from 2/6/26-4/10/2026 to get a $5 off coupon.

Door prize winners do not have to be present to win. Prize event is for 18-years-old and up.

Come out and have some fun all for a good cause!!

Thanks to our Hole Sponsors for the event:

Cola City Roofing

Garvin Design Group

BP Skinner

Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing

Homewood Suites

Thank you to our additional sponsors:

Adluh Flour Mills

Arnold Companies

Cambria in the Vista (Park & Lady)

Grace Outdoor

Koger Center for the Arts

Maynard/Nexsen

Sylvan’s

For more information about participating in the event, please reach out to Jim Colwell with the Vista Neighborhood Association at (864) 616-8836.

The Congaree Vista Guild is accepting submissions for the 2026 Artista Vista Curated Exhibition, “Rooted.” The exhibition will run April 17-May 29, 2026 at Richland Library Main.

The second annual group exhibition will be curated by Jillian Marie Browning, assistant professor of photography at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Monetary awards will be given for first, second and third prizes.

Midlands artists are encouraged to submit their work for consideration at https://www.vistacolumbia.com/special-events/artista-vista. A complete set of rules and eligibility guidelines can be found at this site. All media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, film, video, digital art, time-based art and analog works. There is a $10 non-refundable submission fee per submission with two submissions allowed per artist.

Artista Vista, a weekend-long arts event, will be celebrating its 34^th year in 2026, and will include a gallery crawl, lantern parade and Live Art Mart. Live on Lincoln, a fundraiser for the performing arts, will conclude Artista Vista on Sunday evening.

For more information about Artista Vista, visit VistaColumbia.com.

The Congaree Vista Guild will host its 40th annual Vista Lights on Thursday, November 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The family-friendly holiday event is presented by Prisma Health and will offer entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Performances by local groups will take place on the main stage near the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Vista tree at 7 p.m. After the tree is lit, there will be live music from Chris Reed and the Bad Kids followed by the Soda City Brass Band. The Vista Lights Artisan Market with 17 local vendors will be back this year with a variety of artists and craftsmen. Plus, a limited number of special Vista Lights Christmas ornaments will be for sale as a keepsake of the event. Preorders of these ornaments are available at VistaColumbia.com.

“Each year, Vista Lights has more to offer and this year is no exception,” said Congaree Vista Guild Executive Director Abby Anderson. “It’s the perfect way for everyone to kick off their holiday season.”

Santa Claus will be on site in the 94.3 The Dude Kid’s Zone on Lincoln Street. Meanwhile, The Palmetto Carolers will stroll through the Vista entertaining visitors and Easel Cathedral will be on site painting the event live.

Throughout the evening, participating Vista businesses will open their doors for dining and shopping. Several new restaurants will be open this year including Manhattan Pie. For a complete list, visit VistaColumbia.com in the coming weeks. A full map will be published on the website in November. The event is made possible by the Vista Guild, City of Columbia, Experience Columbia SC, Prisma Health and Southern Crown Partners.

Gervais Street will be completely closed from Assembly to Gadsden Streets for the event as well as Park Street from Lady to Senate Streets and Lincoln Street from Lady to Senate Streets.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced that a new public art piece is being installed on the 1100 block of Park Street. Artist David Falter is on site from April 1-10 installing the art. A dedication ceremony will take place as part of the Artista Vista festivities.

The installation was commissioned by the Congaree Vista Guild and is in partnership with One Columbia for Arts and Culture. Falter’s piece helps represent the Vista district and how it has changed over time. The installation was intended to represent the history of the district and its current status as a home for artists. The artist featured in the piece is Columbia artist, Laura Spong.

“This new installation is unique,” said Abby Anderson, Executive Director of the Congaree Vista Guild. “The 13’ x 7’ portrait mural depicts a 19th-century train conductor and a contemporary artist. It truly represents the district’s transition from an industrial area to a South Carolina Cultural District. Laura Spong’s dedication to the arts in Columbia and the Vista will now be shown in the district forever.”

“My passion lies at the intersection of art and technology, where I create engaging visuals that connect with the intended audience,” said David Falter, artist. “I thrive on creative challenges, embracing each project’s unique requirements and creating tailored solutions that visually communicate the desired message.”

The Congaree Vista Guild worked with the City of Columbia and One Columbia for Arts and Culture to help bring this piece to life.

For more information about the Congaree Vista Guild, visit www.VistaColumbia.com or call (803) 269-5946. Follow the Vista Guild on Facebook, X and Instagram: @TheVistaSC. For more information on One Columbia for Arts and Culture, visit OneColumbiaSC.com.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced Dr. Gail Barnes, Wade Sellers and the Koger Center for the Arts as three recipients of the South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts, presented by The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC). The Vista is an official South Carolina cultural district and home to Barnes, Sellers and the Koger Center.

Nominations are solicited every year by the SCAC for people or organizations deserving recognition for outstanding achievement and contributions to the arts in South Carolina. The appointed members of the South Carolina Arts Commission Board of Directors vote on nominees recommended by a panel for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts.

This year, the SCAC board approved the recommendations of Barnes in the Individual category, Sellers in the Artist category and the Koger Center for the Arts in the Government category.

“I’m proud to have made my living as a filmmaker on Lincoln Street in the heart of Columbia and thankful to represent the overwhelming number of talented independent filmmakers in our state with this recognition,” said Wade Sellers. “To be able to work as an artist and support other artists in their work has always been my goal and I have no plans to slow down.”

“The Koger Center for the Arts is pleased to join the ranks of the individuals and organizations that have received the prestigious honor of The Governor’s Award for the Arts, and we are particularly moved to receive this award the same year as Dr. Gail V. Barnes. This is quite an exceptional year for the USC School of Music as we are celebrating our centennial,” said Koger Center Director Nate Terracio.

“We are always proud of our artists and arts organizations here in the Vista,” said Abby Anderson, executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild. “We know how wonderful they are, and we are always grateful when they receive recognition for their talent and hard work.”

A panel appointed by the SCAC Board of Directors reviews all nominations, received during a two-month window every fall. After a rigorous process and multiple meetings, the panel sends the board a recommendation from each category with a nomination for its approval. Serving on the panel in 2025 were Jason Crowley (Charleston), Dr. Minuette Floyd (Columbia), Robin Hallyburton (Irmo), Dr. Sarah Lynn Hayes (Rock Hill), and Meg Reid (Spartanburg).

Recipients of the South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts will be honored during a broadcast presentation of the South Carolina Arts Awards in May on the SCAC YouTube Channel.

About the 2025 Governor’s Award for the Arts recipients

Dr. Gail V. Barnes (Individual Category) is professor of music education and director of the USC String Project. She teaches courses in stringed instrument methods and orchestra literature and believes her greatest contribution to the state of South Carolina are the 150 teachers who have graduated from the program during her tenure. Barnes’s research interests revolve around community and school orchestra programs, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access to music education for underserved youth. Her research has shed light on the positive impact of parental involvement and a supportive home environment on students’ musical development. Conferences across the United States and abroad benefit from her expertise and research findings, with insightful presentations in countries such as Australia, Italy, China, Greece, Scotland and Brazil. Barnes is a co-author of Measures of Success for String Orchestra (published by The FJH Music Company), a method book for young string players. In her role as director of the USC String Project, Barnes continues to work with student-aged musicians. She has conducted all-state orchestras in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Michigan. Barnes earned her bachelor’s and master’s of music from the University of Michigan and her doctorate from The Ohio State University.

Wade Sellers (Artist Category) is an independent filmmaker in Columbia who produced his first film within months after graduating from USC in media arts. As the South Carolina Arts Commission’s first media intern, Sellers assisted with the Southeastern Media Institute where he later became an instructor. He became an in-demand lighting director and gaffer on commercials and corporate projects. His short film Gordon’s Ride was featured at the Independent Feature Film Festival. Sellers co-founded the non-profit Hybrid Films in 2002 to function as fiscal agent for underserved filmmakers in the region. Hybrid Films’ largest accomplishment was the Beg and Grovel Film Festival, the first true independent film festival in Columbia. His first Southeastern Emmy Award nomination came with South Carolinians in World War 2, a project he was commissioned to direct for South Carolina ETV. Sellers formed his production company, Coal Powered Filmworks, collaborating with local filmmakers and promoting independent filmmaking in South Carolina. In 2013 he founded the 2nd Act Film Project, helping 84 films be created by S.C. filmmakers solely for screening at 2nd Act. He has supervised more than 25 interns from USC and Benedict College since 2008, lectured and taught in the USC media arts department and was named a distinguished alumnus from the USC School of Visual Arts and Design in 2020. He has served as the board president for The Jasper Project since 2019.

The Koger Center for the Arts at the University of South Carolina (Government Category) supports exceptional art by hosting and presenting transformational experiences that enlighten, educate, entertain and inspire. The Koger Center adds value to people’s lives by providing opportunities for creative programming, new experiences and education all while providing the best possible patron experience. From the opening on Jan. 14, 1989, the University of South Carolina made it clear that local community needs would be addressed by establishing a mission of inclusion to support the programming and technical requirements of local arts organizations. Planned as a home to all the arts, the Koger Center houses a large permanent display of visual art as well as a revolving series of art exhibits in several gallery spaces. The 2,256-seat main auditorium is used regularly by local performing arts organizations, but also hosts large touring shows such as Broadway’s Wicked and Hamilton, the Philharmonic Orchestra of London and well-known artists like Alice Cooper and James Taylor. More than just a rental facility, the facility hosts seasons of performances by the USC School of Music, USC Department of Theatre and Dance and Koger Center Presents series and educational performances by local and touring companies. The Koger Center has expanded how the building is used turning the Grand Tier lobby into a 150-seat music venue, incorporating a permanent stage into the plaza in front of the facility and transforming the rehearsal hall into a Black Box Theater.

The Vista Neighborhood Association (VNA) and the Congaree Vista Guild are hosting the 3rd Annual Alley Golf Tournament in the Vista on Saturday, April 12. Proceeds from the event go 100% towards Art projects in the Vista.

The event is from 1-6 PM and has 3 mini golf holes in a tournament format which will be set up at Steel Hands Vista - 705 Gervais St. Players will have a chance to win 1st and 2nd place prizes and also win prizes through random drawings.

Players purchase a scorecard for $20, play each hole, and turn in their scorecard. Live updates will be shown at Steel Hands Vista. VNA will also randomly draw winners from completed score cards, regardless of the total score.

Door size winners do not have to be present to win. Prize event is for 18-years-old and up.

Steel Hands will run the shuttle to and from Cayce/The Vista on April 12.

Come out and have some fun all for a good cause!!

Thanks to our Hole Sponsors for the event:

Garvin Design Group

Pro Swing

BP Skinner

Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing

Coldwell Banker - Peggy Metze

Thank you to our additional sponsors:

Adluh Flour Mills

Arnold Companies

Farmers Market Xchange

Grace Outdoor

Koger Center for the Arts

Maynard/Nexsen

Woodlands Country Club

For more information about participating in the event, please reach out to Jim Colwell with the Vista Neighborhood Association at (864) 616-8836. View all details of the event here. 

The Congaree Vista Guild will host its 39^th annual Vista Lights on Thursday, November 21 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The family-friendly holiday event is presented by Prisma Health and will offer entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Performances by local groups will take place on the Montessori School of Columbia Stage near the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Vista tree at 7 p.m. After the tree is lit, the Station Seven Band will take the stage. A new feature this year will be the Vista Lights Artisan Market with 11 local vendors.

New this year, the Vista Guild and Blue Marlin are hosting a toy drive to benefit families in Western North Carolina. The public is asked to support families affected by Hurricane Helene by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy in the trailer outside Blue Marlin during the week of November 18.

Santa Claus will be on site in the 94.3 The Dude Kid’s Zone on Lincoln Street. Meanwhile, The Palmetto Carolers will stroll through the Vista entertaining visitors and Easel Cathedral will be on site painting the event live.

Presenting sponsor, Prisma Health will have their Mobile Clinic on Lincoln Street for blood pressure screenings and health information.

Throughout the evening, participating Vista businesses will open their doors for dining and shopping. Several new restaurants will be open this year including Dulce Bakery and Café and Steel Hands Vista. Additionally, visitors are encouraged to check out items from upcoming businesses, like Taco Mundo. For a complete list, visit VistaColumbia.com in the coming weeks. A full map will be published on the website in November.

Gervais Street will be completely closed from Assembly to Gadsden Streets for the event as well as Park Street from Lady to Senate Streets and Lincoln Street from Lady to Senate Streets.

A big thank you to our sponsors: City of Columbia, Experience Columbia SC, Prisma Health, NURTL Vodka Seltzer, Stella Artois, Montessori School of Columbia, Mackey Realty, 94.3 The Dude, 93.1 The Lake, Cola Daily, Hyatt Place Vista and Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.

The Congaree Vista Guild held the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Dulce Bakery and Café at 1213 Lincoln Street Tuesday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Located in the former space of Cupcake Down South, owners Iris Perea and Sharisa Boyle have moved their bakery, Cake Collection Boutique, to the Vista from their Irmo location and rebranding. In this new location, they will offer sweet treats such as cupcakes, cake slices, tres leche and brownies as well as savory breakfast sandwiches and coffee.

City dignitaries attended the event as well as Congaree Vista Guild board members and Vista business owners.

Dulce Bakery and Café owners plan to eventually offer a cafe during lunch hours with soups and sandwiches and a dessert bar at night.

The Congaree Vista Guild will host “Kickin’ It in the Vista”, a special summer concert event Friday, August 2 at Columbia Craft, 520 Greene Street, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. It’s taking place in conjunction with the Rivals in Red soccer match between Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United.

The line-up for the concert includes Eric Paslay, The Vegabonds and MackMartin.

Eric Pasley is a Platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, artist and performer from Texas who has collaborated with Amy Grant, Dierks Bentley and Charles Kelley, among others.

The Vegabonds are an alternative southern rock group from Nashville, with high energy, crowd-favorite songs like Georgia Fire, Shaky Hands, Partying with Strangers and Heartache.

MackMartin is an alternative country duo from Texas and South Carolina influenced by Eagles, Rascal Flatts, The Chicks and Chris Stapleton.

South Carolina United is partnering with the Vista and will have soccer games for the whole family. Columbia Craft will offer its craft beer selections, and Rita’s will be on-site with Columbia’s favorite cold selections.

Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United will compete in their international soccer match, part of the Rivals in Red Tour, on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. There will be shuttles from Colonial Life Arena to Williams-Brice on Saturday, so plan to spend your weekend in the Vista.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced the election of new board members for 2024-2027. The organization has a 13-member board, six of whom are selected by the current board members, six are elected by the membership of the Vista Guild and one seat is for the president of the Vista Neighborhood Association.

Newly elected board members by business members are:

• Annie Linn Johnson- LS3P
• Joseph Kendrick- Columbia Music Festival Association

This group is joining current board members:

• Rosie Craig- M Craig & Co.
• Clark Ellefson- Lewis + Clark
• Beth Frost- Cohn Construction
• Guy Jones- River Runner Outdoor Center
• Dale Marshall- Architrave
• Hal Stevenson- GRACE Outdoor
• Ariel Brady- Motor Supply Co. Bistro
• David Erbacher- Hyatt Place Vista
• Cheryl Swanson- Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
• Chip Wade- Koger Center for the Arts
• Carolyn Leedecker- Vista Neighborhood Association

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced that $12,000 in donations will be made to local performing arts groups using proceeds from the recent Live on Lincoln event. The annual event, presented by LS3P, was the finale to the 3nd Annual Artista Vista.

“We’re really pleased with the results of this year’s Artista Vista,” said Congaree Guild Executive Director Abby Anderson. “We hit or exceeded many of our goals for the various events and are so grateful for the community’s support. We welcomed more visitors than ever to the district and raised critical funds for our performing arts groups.

Some of the highlights noted were:

- More than 11 galleries welcomed visitors for the annual gallery crawl

- 11 lantern-making workshops were held at which more than 150 lanterns were created for the Lights and Lantern Parade presented by Architrave

- 56 artists and creators participated in the first Live Art Mart

- $12,000 was raised for local performing arts groups at Live on Lincoln

Artista Vista is scheduled for Friday, April 11-Sunday, April 13, 2025. Events throughout the weekend will include a gallery crawl on Friday; Art Day on Saturday; Live Art Mart on Saturday with local artisans and craftsmen; and a light and lantern parade Saturday evening. Live on Lincoln will again serve as the finale on Sunday afternoon.

The 5th annual Live on Lincoln event, presented by LS3P, has been postponed until Sunday, April 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to weather concerns. The Friday and Saturday activities for Artista Vista will go on as scheduled.

Tickets for individuals are $100 and private party tables are $1000. Proceeds from the event will benefit local performing arts organizations. For tickets, visit https://tickets.coladaily.com/events/live-on-lincoln. Seating is limited.

Live on Lincoln was founded by the Koger Center for the Arts in 2020 and is now a signature event for the Congaree Vista Guild. The dinner will be catered by Blue Marlin on the cobblestones of Lincoln Street and will feature performances from Columbia’s finest performing groups.

The Congaree Vista Guild has announced that a rededication ceremony will take place for The Gong, a commemorative piece created to celebrate the late Marvin Chernoff. The Gong was stolen earlier this year but has since been recovered and repaired. The ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m. at 1100 Lincoln Street.

“We are so relieved that The Gong was recovered and that it’s been restored to its original state,” said Abby Anderson, Executive Director of the Congaree Vista Guild. “We felt like a rededication was important for such a treasured piece of public art.”

The Gong was created by Clark Ellefson and Matthew Kramer to honor the late Marvin Chernoff, a public relations executive with offices in the Vista. Chernoff was known for using a small, desk-sized gong to symbolize a job well done and a way to create closure before moving to the next project.

Lee Ann Kornegay, a film maker, arts organizer and former employee of the late Chernoff initially brought the idea to One Columbia in the early 1980s and recommended a less traditional sculpture. One Columbia for Arts and Culture commissioned the piece with donated funds from the community and with Chernoff’s personality in mind. They oversee the maintenance of the artwork and received a donation to assist with the repairs to the Gong.

One Columbia works with the City of Columbia, community organizations, and private entities to bring public art to the community by commissioning, administering, maintaining, and marking public art throughout the city.
 

The Vista site for The Gong was chosen to recognize Chernoff’s early involvement in the development and repurposing of the former warehouse area and is located near the first office renovated by Chernoff and his business partner, Rick Silver.

For more information about the Congaree Vista Guild, visit www.VistaColumbia.com or call (803) 269-5946. Follow the Vista Guild on Facebook, X and Instagram: @TheVistaSC. For more information on One Columbia for Arts and Culture, visit OneColumbiaSC.com.

The Vista Neighborhood Association (VNA) and the Congaree Vista Guild are hosting the 2nd Annual Alley Golf Tournament in the Vista on Saturday, April 6. The event is from 2-6pm and has 3 mini golf holes in a tournament format which will be set up in 3 different Vista alleyways (see below for details). Players will have a chance to win 1st and 2nd place prizes and also win prizes through random drawings.   

Also this year there is a 4th location --- the 19th hole at Saki Tumi, where you can play to win prizes by putting a hole in one! Open from 4-7pm.

Players purchase a scorecard for $15 ($20 on April 6) and can play each hole in any order they choose. Players turn in the scorecard and score after playing 3 holes. 
VNA will also randomly draw winners from completed score cards, regardless of the total score. Winners do not have to be present to win. Prize event is for 18-years-old and up. 

The 3 locations are:
The Hyatt Place – 819 Gervais Street
Grill Marks – 705 Gervais Street
Old Chicago – 802 Gervais Street

19th hole is at Saki Tumi - 807 Gervais St  

Thanks to our Hole Sponsors for the event:

Hyatt Place 

BP Skinner Clothiers

Garvin Design Group

For more information about participating in the event, please reach out to Jim Colwell with the Vista Neighborhood Association at (864) 616-8836. View full details on the event here.