Stormwater Studios Residency
Stormwater Studios Welcomes Lenayah Rayford, 2025–2026 Resident Artist
Stormwater Studios is proud to welcome Lenayah Rayford as our 2025–2026 Resident Artist. The yearlong residency will provide Lenayah with a dedicated studio space beginning in September 2025 and culminating in a solo exhibition at Stormwater Gallery in summer 2026.
Currently a Studio Art major with minors in Art History and Liberal Arts at Columbia College, Lenayah is set to graduate in December 2025. Her practice spans graphite, oils, acrylics, and graphic design, exploring deeply personal and emotional themes through diverse media. Her work has appeared in STYLUS magazine (2021) and been exhibited at institutions including Midlands Technical College, Columbia College, and the University of South Carolina, as well as more recent showcases such as Beyond Time in North Charleston (February 2025) and Artista Vista in Columbia (April 2025). Among her recognitions are the Nevitt Award for Outstanding Studio Art Major (2023–2024) and a feature on the cover of Columbia College’s The Criterion (2025).
Beyond her studio work, Lenayah has served as an Associate Juror for the Crooked Creek Art League and recently explored performance art in Brittany M. Watkins’ 2025 exhibition DO/DO NOT in Columbia, SC. Her creative journey began after graduating from Brookland-Cayce High School in 2019, when art became an essential means of expression during the uncertainty of the pandemic and a rapidly changing world. Since then, she has continued to develop her voice as an artist while contributing to the broader fine arts community.
The Stormwater Residency Program, reimagined to support recent graduates of Columbia-area art programs, is designed to help keep creative talent thriving in the Midlands. This year’s collaboration with Columbia College reflects that mission, expanding mentorship and professional development opportunities for emerging artists.
Funded in part by One Columbia for Arts and Culture and an anonymous donor, the residency provides studio space, mentorship from Stormwater’s resident artists, and a culminating solo exhibition. Lenayah was selected following a recommendation by Martin Lang, Studio Art Program Chair at Columbia College, and a competitive review process conducted by Stormwater’s resident artists.
Stormwater Studios is grateful for this partnership with Columbia College and proud to welcome Lenayah to our creative community. We look forward to witnessing how she continues to grow, experiment, and contribute to Columbia’s vibrant arts scene.
