June 2026 Events

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Vote for Stormwater Studios – Best of Columbia 2026!

We’re thrilled to share that Stormwater Studios has been nominated for Best Art Gallery in the Free Times Best of Columbia 2026 contest!

Thank you to our community for nominating us. We are honored to be recognized and included among Columbia’s outstanding art galleries.

Now it’s time for the final round of voting, and we need your help!

How You Can Support Stormwater Studios

  • Vote for Stormwater Studios in the Best Art Gallery category.
  • Share the voting link with your friends, family, colleagues, and fellow art lovers.
  • Help spread the word on social media and encourage others to support local arts.

Vote here: Best of Columbia Voting Page

Voting is open through June 26.

The Best of Columbia contest celebrates more than 300 of the Midlands’ favorite people, businesses, places, and organizations. The nominees were selected by readers, and now the community decides the winners.

Thank you for supporting Stormwater Studios and helping us continue our mission of supporting artists, fostering creativity, and building community through the arts. Every vote and share makes a difference!

Draw, Paint & Connect with the About Face Drawing Group at Stormwater Studios

Join the About Face Drawing Group for an inspiring evening of creativity on Monday, June 1 & 15, from 6:30–9:00 p.m. at Stormwater Studios!

Each session features two live models—one for figure drawing and one for portrait work—offering a rare opportunity to sharpen your skills, explore new techniques, and work from life in a supportive, creative environment.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just getting started, everyone is welcome. Bring your favorite materials—sketchbooks, paints, brushes, or easels—and settle in for a relaxed, energizing night of making art alongside fellow creatives.

Admission is $15, and first-time participants attend free!

Stay connected or learn more by reaching out to Jordan Johnson at [email protected] or following on Instagram @about_face_drawinggroup.

Come draw, paint, and connect—your next creative spark might be waiting in the room.

Building Bridges Through Art: WREN Exhibition, Artists Conversation & Reception

Join us this June for Building Bridges Through Art with the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), featuring an exhibition, Artists in Conversation, and reception at Stormwater Studios.

The Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) advances gender justice in South Carolina through advocacy, education, research, and community building, with a focus on reproductive freedom and economic justice.

Building Bridges Through Art is a community-centered exhibition series that highlights diversity, fosters understanding, and strengthens connections between artists and nonprofit organizations working on important social issues. Each exhibition pairs artists with a featured partner whose mission aligns with themes present in the artists’ work and lived experiences. The series encourages engagement, dialogue, and collaboration through exhibitions and public programs designed to deepen awareness and inspire connection.

This year’s exhibition is inspired by findings from The Status of Women and Girls in South Carolina: 2025 Research Findings, a statewide study examining barriers affecting women and girls across the state, including:

  • Gaps in healthcare access
  • Unequal pay
  • Limited childcare options
  • Lack of essential community resources

Artists respond to these findings through work that reflects lived experience, sparks dialogue, and imagines pathways toward equity and collective action.

We are pleased to present work by the following featured artists:
Ava Baker, Eva Bradley, Demetria Blooms, Aerin Chafa, Kalah Crawford, Keelin Gangwish, Betsy Halford, Mana Hewitt, Christopher Lane, Susan Lenz, Shaina Manuel, Kat Martin, Shabnam Miri, Gina Moore, Scott Neely, Tammy Quarles, Renee Rouillier, Kathleen Sahtunkinish, Blakely Sheely, Tayler Simon, Nancy Stockton, Julia Strasburger, Keith Tolen, and Meredith Walker.


Exhibition Dates & Hours

June 5–28, 2026
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


Artists in Conversation

Join us for Artists in Conversation on Saturday, June 6, from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

This public program brings together participating artists to discuss the inspiration, lived experiences, and creative processes behind the work featured in the exhibition. Grounded in WREN’s research, the conversation expands into broader themes of gender justice, equity, advocacy, and community support systems.

Visitors will have the opportunity to hear directly from artists about how their work responds to these issues and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the role of art in creating awareness and connection.

Featured participating artists include Ava Baker, Eva Bradley, Demetria Blooms, Keelin Gangwish, Betsy Halford, Scott Neely, Tammy Quarles, and Tayler Simon.


Reception

June 18, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Join us for a reception celebrating the featured artists of Building Bridges Through Art in partnership with the Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN). Meet the artists, explore the exhibition, and connect with fellow community members through meaningful conversation and reflection.

The evening will feature remarks from Aisha Jones, Senior Partnership & Engagement Associate at WREN, followed by Dr. Amalia Luxardo, Chief Executive Officer, who will speak about WREN’s mission, work, and impact throughout South Carolina.

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