March 2026 Events

Draw, Paint, and Connect with the About Face Group at Stormwater Studios – Monday, March 2 & 16!

Mark your calendar for an evening of artistic exploration with the About Face Drawing Group on Monday, March 2 & 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Stormwater Studios.

This dynamic session will feature two live models, one for figure drawing and one for portrait work, providing a unique opportunity to refine your skills in a welcoming and creative atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or picking up a pencil for the first time, this session is open to all experience levels.

Bring your favorite materials—sketchpad, paints, brushes, or even your easel—and get ready to dive into a night of creativity and community. Admission is just $15, and first-timers attend free!

Want to stay in the loop? Reach out to Jordan Johnson at [email protected] or follow the group on Instagram: @about_face_drawinggroup.

Join this group for an inspiring night of drawing, painting, and artistic connection.

The Benedict College Art Faculty Exhibition

The Benedict College Art Faculty Exhibition brings together a diverse body of work reflecting the vision, scholarship, and creative excellence of the college’s studio and art history faculty. Spanning photography, mixed-media assemblage, drawing, painting, and fiber-based sculpture, the exhibition celebrates the rich artistic voices that shape the learning environment for Benedict College students.

Exhibition Dates:
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, to Sunday, March 8, 2026
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to Sunday, March 15, 2026

Gallery Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“(Re)Framing,” Stormwater Collaborative Residency — Group Exhibition

(Re)Framing presents new work by artists participating in the Stormwater Collaborative Residency, highlighting the conversations, research, and experimentation that emerged over the course of their time together. The exhibition brings together a range of media and approaches to consider how attention, context, and perspective can shift our understanding of shared spaces and everyday environments. Visitors are invited to move through the gallery as active participants—reframing their own relationship to place, process, and community.

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Exhibition Dates: Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 28

Gallery Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Columbia Open Studios Weekend at Stormwater Studios

Celebrate art, creativity, and community during Columbia Open Studios Weekend at Stormwater Studios—a lively stop on this free, self-guided tour of local artists across the Greater Columbia area. Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore the studios and workspaces of nine Stormwater artists, meet creators in person, and learn about the materials, techniques, and inspirations behind their work. In addition to open studios, Stormwater will host a variety of special experiences, including a family-friendly garden art installation and scavenger hunt presented by Girl Scouts of South Carolina—Mountains to Midlands Troop 3395, as well as a special appearance by Stormwater Gardener Karen Murphy, who will be sharing nature-inspired artwork, perennials, and seed packs. With hands-on activities, outdoor art, and opportunities to connect with artists of all ages, Stormwater Studios offers something for everyone during this vibrant weekend celebration.

Columbia Open Studios at Storwater Studios

Join us for Columbia Open Studios, a free, self-guided, weekend-long tour celebrating local artists across the Greater Columbia, South Carolina area.

Visit Stormwater Studios and explore the work and workspaces of nine local artists. Meet the artists, learn about their materials and techniques, and gain insight into the inspiration behind their creative practices.

Event Dates & Hours:
Saturday, March 28: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Girl Scouts of South Carolina—Mountains to Midlands Troop 3395Presents: Behind the Blooms — Sculptures & Scavenger Hun

Saturday, March 28 | Noon–2:00 p.m. 

Join Girl Scouts of South Carolina—Mountains to Midlands Troop 3395 for a fun, interactive afternoon celebrating art, nature, and discovery! Explore steampunk-inspired butterflies, ants, and insects created by Girl Scout Troop 3395 and placed throughout the Stormwater garden.

To further enrich the garden experience, the troop has designed small, whimsical steampunk-style sculptures that will serve as hidden treasures for children to discover during an engaging pollinator-themed scavenger hunt. This unique blend of art and nature is meant to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and inspire creativity in young visitors.

Each participant will receive a printed flyer to guide them through their search. The flyer includes educational information about the importance of insects in pollinator gardens and their role in the ecosystem, as well as the connection between exploring art and nature and its positive impact on happiness and well-being.

Flyers will be available for children to use during their visit or take home, allowing the scavenger hunt to continue as an ongoing activity that inspires learning and discovery beyond the event.

Girl Scout Troop 3395 is passionate about this project because it provides an opportunity to give back to the community while encouraging environmental awareness, creativity, and exploration. This initiative complements Stormwater Studios’ mission by fostering an appreciation for both nature and art—especially among young minds.

Stormwater Studios is located at 413 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Meet Stormwater Gardener Karen Murphy

Columbia Open Studios | Saturday, March 28 | Noon–2:00 p.m.

Stormwater Studios Gardener Karen Murphy will be on-site during Columbia Open Studios on Saturday, March 28, from noon to 2:00 p.m., sharing a selection of her artwork inspired by a lifelong love of nature.

Karen will be displaying original paintings, drawings, and assemblages that express the beauty and mystery of the natural world—both real and imagined. Visitors can also browse a small selection of perennials and seed packs, a natural extension of her passion for growing and nurturing living things.

Karen’s connection to wildlife and the environment has shaped her into a familiar and beloved figure within Columbia’s artistic and educational communities. After completing the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) Midlands Master Naturalist program, Karen began providing opportunities for bird watching, native plant identification, and pollinator gardening here at Stormwater. Raised in Minnesota, she developed an early appreciation for native plants and ecosystems, encouraged by parents who fostered her curiosity and respect for the natural world. This passion continued through her academic studies at Brown University and Lesley University, where environmental education remained central to her work.

After moving to Columbia in 1990, Karen founded Karen’s Garden Care, a business dedicated to creating sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardens. For more than 20 years, she has transformed gardens throughout the city, enriching both the landscape and the community.

Be sure to stop by Stormwater Studios to meet Karen, view her work, and enjoy a conversation about art, gardens, and her enduring love of nature.