Columbia Open Studios and Indie Grits kickoff party

I've had an eventful weekend so far and it's not even full-on Saturday yet! On Thursday morning I hit the road to Columbia bright and early to visit my friend Griet and to pop in at the Indie Grits/Columbia Open Studios kickoff party.

Columbia Open Studios started today, Saturday, April 21^st 10am-6pm and runs through Sunday, April 22, 12pm-6pm.  If you haven’t participated in an Open Studios before, here’s the deal: you get a map, fill up your gas tank and go on a journey, a very nosy journey, inside the private studios of artists.   

All of the artists have their work on display for sale.  It’s a really cool way to see the creative process behind the work you see in galleries and shops.  It’s personal and intimate… and note: there is often free food and beverage at each stop.

The Indie Grits Festival is going on, too.  The festival (April 19-29) is presented and created by the Nickelodeon Theatre, the only non-profit, art-house theater in South Carolina. Now in its sixth year, Indie Grits includes not only film but several festival partner events that celebrate art, music, craft, food, performance and technology.  There’s too much going on to list, so check out the website here.

If I weren't so dang busy, I'd go back for the Crafty Feast.  I love a good indie craft event!

So here's a wrap-up of the party folks.  Flock and Rally know how to throw a party.  

The decor was a killer indie craft/diy bonanza with an interactive taped out map of downtown Columbia on the floor.  Above event venues for the coming weeks (theaters, studios, etc) were signs and some stops included interactive activities like this one: 

This was a crazy good idea!

And there was a lite-brite station!

And the food... a grits bar by Scott Hall Catering and Event Design (owner of the Bone-In Artisan BBQ truck) with crazy toppings like dried thai prawns and wasabi peas!  Seriously. I had what appeared to be a blue pork skin, spicy collard greens, cheese and pepper on mine. Delish. 

Very cool party. So you don't live in Columbia?  You can still check out the events: take a stroll through the festival and artists' websites and enjoy the show!