New art exhibits debut at Vista Nights

It’s the perfect time of year to spend an evening strolling along the streets of The Vista, stopping along the way to shop or have a bite to eat.

Vista Nights, held on the third Thursday of each month, is hosted by The Congaree Vista Guild, a coalition of restaurants, shops, businesses, galleries, museums and homeowners in The Vista.

This Thursday’s event will be held from 5-8 p.m.

The later shopping hours, sales and dining specials are designed to draw after-work crowds to the retail and restaurant district.

This month’s festivities include

▪  Wine offerings and viewings of new works by Blue Sky at Ellen Taylor Interiors (1012 Gervais St.).

▪ An opening reception for “Rhythm, Balance and Space,” a collection celebrating 50 years of work by artist Eva Carter, at City Art Gallery (1224 Lincoln St.).

▪  A screening of Roni Nicole’s short film “Raising Lazarus” at if ART Gallery (1223 Lincoln St.). The film was shot in Columbia and depicts a future in which people are buried behind the walls of the city until one heroic act inspires an exodus.

▪  Step-by-step painting instruction at Studio Cellar (912 Lady St.) with a 10 percent discount on classes when you register in advance at studiocellar.com with the code “may14.”

▪  A presentation of “Figuratively Speaking,” a thesis project by USC Honors College and BFA art studio graduate Tucker Prescot at Vista Studios/Gallery80808 (808 Lady St.). The artist explores the relationships between figures and landscapes in this collection.

Parking for Vista Nights is available in the Vista’s parking garages at 820 Washington Street and at the corner of Senate and Pendleton Streets behind the Hilton hotel. The event is free and open to the public.