Mark your calendar for Columbia's 34th Annual Artista Vista, April 17-19, 2026. This art-centric event truly has something to offer for everyone. The Congaree Vista district of Columbia, SC, is an official South Carolina Cultural District. 

Events

Art Gallery Crawl — Free — Friday, April 17, 6-9 p.m.

Artista Vista begins Friday night with the annual Gallery Crawl throughout The Vista District. Join us from 6-9 p.m. for a fun evening in The Vista’s distinctive galleries. Be sure to visit Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly St) for the opening of Artista Vista’s Juried Exhibition, Rooted. The final list of participating galleries will be updated soon.

Art Day — Free — Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1001 Huger St/413 Pendleton St)

Artista Vista continues on Saturday with events at Stormwater Studios, Lewis + Clark and One Eared Cow Glass. Visitors will discover collections and view live demonstrations from artists. 

Live Art Mart — Free — Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (516 Senate Street)

The 2026 Artista Vista Live Art Mart is an exciting, innovative juried art fair. Developed by artists for artists, this market gives customers an extraordinary opportunity to understand how artists create their work. During market hours, all vendors will show their artistic process, either through live demonstration or an approved alternate visual representation of their process. Our goal is to encourage conversations between artists and the public, fostering a Midlands community that appreciates and supports artists and the work they create. Check back soon for a full list of participating artists.

Applications for Artista Vista's Live Art Mart on Saturday, April 18 are closed, but you can apply to be on the waitlist. CLICK HERE TO APPLY for the WAITLIST.

Light and Lantern Parade presented by Architrave — Free — Saturday, April 18, 8-9 p.m.

Columbia artist, Flavia Lovatelli, is hosting a series of lantern making workshops in early 2026. See below for dates and locations. Learn from one of Columbia's best at one of these workshops. Join us for the Light and Lantern Parade presented by Architrave at the entrance of the Lincoln Street Tunnel on April 18. Join the crowd as we stroll through The Vista. There will be cash prizes for the best lantern during the parade!

Lantern making workshops are listed below. Click here to register for a workshop.:

  • January 31, 10am-1pm at Stormwater Studios (413 Pendleton Street)

  • February 7, 10am-1pm at Richland Library Main 

  • February 28, 10am-1pm at The City of Columbia Art Center (1227 Taylor Street, Suite C)

  • March 14, 10am-1pm at 701 CCA (701 Whaley)- Register for this workshop by clicking here.

  • March 28, 10am-1pm at One Columbia for Arts and Culture (1013 Duke Ave)

Live on Lincoln — Ticketed — Sunday, April 19, 5-8 p.m. (1200 Lincoln Street)

The 7th Annual Live on Lincoln is on Sunday, April 19. Join us as we continue this wonderful tradition that began in 2020 with the Koger Center for the Arts. This event showcases some incredible performing arts groups that can be found in Columbia. Experience their performances as you dine on the cobblestones of Lincoln Street and enjoy a wonderful meal courtesy of Blue Marlin. All proceeds from this event are split among these wonderful groups so that they can continue their meaningful work.

Sponsorships for Live on Lincoln are available now. Click here to partner with us.

Tickets for Live on Lincoln go on Sale on Thursday, February 5. Click here to buy tickets on Feb. 5.



A comprehensive safety plan has been put in place for all Artista Vista events. Masks are encouraged for all patrons, and hand sanitizer is encouraged throughout events. Social distancing will be encouraged. NO CONCEALED WEAPONS ALLOWED.

The Vista, Columbia's premier art district, is committed to continuing to keep the art scene in the Midlands thriving, as the past three decades attest. The Vista was synonymous with art by the early 1980s when artists began to move their studios to the area's affordable abandoned warehouse space. Today's restaurants, shopping and nightlife in historic buildings along the Gervais Street corridor are still driven by the Vista's creative energy. The Congaree Vista is an Official South Carolina Cultural District.

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