Things are in Full Bloom at Stormwater Studios

Garden designer Karen Murphy Rhu has transformed our once sandy area into an oasis of native grasses. Along the sidewalks, vibrant arrays of native trees, shrubs, and perennials are now in full bloom. This transformation has been made possible thanks to the support from the Richland County Conservation Commission and Columbia Green. As a result, Stormwater Studios continues to blossom beautifully.

During the Ag + Art Tour at Stormwater Studios, Karen provided a guided tour of our breathtaking native plant and pollinator gardens. Guests embarked on a journey through these gardens, learning about the importance of these ecosystems. Karen shared her expertise on the vibrant array of flora and fauna that call Stormwater Studios home.

Did you know that our plants provide food and shelter to birds, insects, and other wildlife? Come and see for yourself! From sunup to sun down, you can access our outdoor space and experience the beauty and tranquility it offers.

We are located in the heart of The Congaree Vista District at 413 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC, just behind One Eared Cow Glass and Lewis & Clark studios. Come visit and enjoy the natural beauty of Stormwater Studios.

Currently on Exhibit in Our Gardens

Sky Lapse
Addison Graham
June 19, 2024 – August 31, 2024
Gel filter, plexiglass, stainless steel, 26’ x 17’ x 12’, 2024

During Addison Graham’s residency at Stormwater Studios, she plans to expand on her latest body of work, “This Must Be Ektachrome.” These projects include new sculptures and an outdoor installation that she hopes to document the visual effects of time, weather, and light. The new sculptures will consist of jigsawed pieces of gel filter or plexiglass that are chain-linked with stainless steel jump rings to reflect the natural phenomena of light dispersion. Graham aims to utilize nearly every material purchased, so even the scraps will serve a purposeful work of art. This approach reflects her love for the environment, her desire to minimize wastage, and her belief in the spiritual importance of Native American tribes in respecting every part of a hunted animal.

“Sky Lapse” is an extension of her thesis project, “This Must Be Ektachrome.” The monochromatic blue, pink, and purple acrylic pieces represent the ethereal clouds captured in blue hour photography—a fleeting moment just before sunrise or after sunset when the sun is low on the horizon. The warm color palette is inspired by time-shifting and golden hour photography.

When combined, these elements create “Sky Lapse,” an outdoor installation that delves into landscape, light, time, and perception. Human emotions and experiences are strongly connected to specific outdoor environments. From Ouachita to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Graham has explored landscapes that evoke feelings of awe and wonder since childhood.

Through “Sky Lapse,” she wants to remind people to love and take care of the world, encouraging them to appreciate nature and recognize its coexistence with human inventions. Visit our gardens to experience this stunning installation and connect with the beauty of our natural environment.