See the best of SC's contemporary art at Biennial

First things first. Where should Dorothy’s body go?

It was a question exhibit organizer Wim Roefs and Columbia artist Jason Kendall discussed as they dragged Dorothy – a dummy with brown pigtails and ruby-sequined basketball sneakers flecked with yellow paint – across the floor of 701 Center for Contemporary Art on Wednesday.

The two were getting Kendall’s installation, “thedororthyproject,” ready for the South Carolina Biennial opening next week.

Now in its third year, the Biennial is an exhibition of the top contemporary artists in South Carolina, selected by a jury panel of three judges. The first half of the artists will show their work at 701 CCA from Sept. 11-Oct. 25. Then the work of the second half will go up from Nov. 5-Dec. 20.

“This is really the only event in South Carolina where you can get a sense of some of the best contemporary art being made in the state,” Roefs said. “It’s a big deal to be in it.”

Of the more than 100 submissions, only 25 were selected for the Biennial, Roefs said.

The pieces included in the exhibition vary widely.

In addition to Kendall’s Wizard of Oz-inspired installation, there are fabric-on-canvas pieces from textile artist Kristy Bishop, a giant ribbon-like installation made from aluminum flashing material from Shannon Lindsey, abstract works, photography, even a series of realistic paintings of a woman holding a garden gnome.

“It’s eclectic and fresh,” Joe Kendrick with 701 CCA said of the collection of work. “You’re going to find something you like. Simple as that.”

The 701 CCA South Carolina Biennial 2015 Part I is Sept. 11 – Oct. 25. The artists’ Reception is 7-9 p.m. Sept. 11 at 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley St. (second floor). www.701cca.org/

Native American Indian Film fest seeks entries

Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina are accepting submissions of independently produced feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, music videos and animated films in all genres for the 18th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival of the Southeast. The festival spotlights Native American and other indigenous cultures from throughout the world.

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 30. The festival will be held in November.

For application details: cherokeeofsouthcarolina.com/FilmFestival/submissions.html.

Sing your heart out for Lexington Choral Society

The Lexington County Choral Society will begin its 20th season this fall. It will hold auditions for all voice types at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8, 15 and 22 at the Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church.

5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. (803) 348-7445, LexCoChoralSoc.org

Last call for Warhol

There’s still time to see “From Marilyn to Mao: Andy Warhol’s Famous Faces” at the Columbia Museum of Art before the exhibit closes Sept. 13.

“Famous Faces” explores America’s fascination with celebrity through some of Warhol’s best-known pop art portraits, including his 10 silkscreens of Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

1515 Main St., (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org/

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 8:19 AM.