New mural, sculpture go up in Columbia

The Vista Guild commissioned and installed a sculpture at the Taylor Street entrance to the Vista Greenway, which opened to the public earlier this week.

The piece is a 12-foot-tall, yellow steel sculpture titled “Curtis & Bob.”

Laurens County artist Doug McAbee created the work, which he said is a combination of “my experience of Columbia and my goofy sense of humor.”

The piece is made up of two characters, or entities, McAbee said. Curtis is the tall, rectangular part of the sculpture, and Bob is the part on top with the circles and twig-like extensions.

“With this work, I want to capture (people’s) attention with the bright color and make them smile,” he said.

Once “Curtis & Bob” catch someone’s eye, one can look for a deeper interpretation.

“I see it as one person giving someone shorter or less fortunate a boost. It’s the spirit of partnership or working together, even though the characters are very different,” McAbee said.

See it: At Lincoln and Taylor streets in the Vista.

At the new Kroger Marketplace on Killian Road, a mural just went up that celebrates the spirit of South Carolina.

One Columbia for Arts and History partnered with The Kroger Co. to commission the mural, which was designed and painted by University of South Carolina graphic design student Alexander Rusnak.

Titled “Gaze,” the mural depicts a Carolina Wren, the state bird of South Carolina, perched on a palmetto branch.

“Conceptually it’s about looking towards the future, and seeing something greater to hope for,” Rusnak said in a news release. “I hope it can give people that encouragement to be positive.”

The mural was completed in time for the store’s opening Wednesday.

See it: At Killians Crossing on Killian Road.

Photos: Kroger Marketplace on Killian Road

OTHER ARTS EVENTS AROUND THE MIDLANDS

Treasures & Trifles: A Summer Art Sale

Gallery West is having a summer art sale that features famous as well as unknown artists. Included are works by abstract expressionist Warren Brandt, printmaker Rockwell Kent and contemporary artists Tyrone Geter, Mackey Bane and Maryanna Williams. Make an offer on any artwork through Aug. 28.

Gallery West, 134 State St., West Columbia. www.gallerywestcolumbia.com

Airport art

Tripp Barnes, the artist behind a number of colorful murals in Columbia, is exhibiting 12 pieces of his art collection at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. View them in the connector area between the security checkpoint and the departure gates. Although, with Barnes’ bright abstract backgrounds and bold black stenciling, you probably won’t have too look too hard.

Barnes’ exhibit will be on display through fall.

Harry Potter party

The Richland Mall Barnes & Noble is hosting a party and midnight release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the store on July 30. The book-version of this stage script by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne comes out officially on July 31 – Harry’s birthday.

The party starts at 8 p.m. and will feature a special Muggle Wall where customers can share their favorite memories of Harry Potter as well as several giveaways.

The bookstore is at 3400 Forest Drive. Free.

701 Whaley call for artists

701 Center for Contemporary Art is accepting entries for the 701 CCA Prize, a biennial art competition and exhibition for professional South Carolina artists ages 40 and younger. This juried project will have a November–December exhibition for the competition’s three finalists and an award celebration announcing the winner.

Applications are due by Sept. 3.

The application guidelines and package can be downloaded at www.701cc.org. The application fee is $25.