Columbia Museum of Art
Currently undergoing major renovations, the Columbia Museum of Art (1515 Main St., Columbia. 803-799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org) remains open to visitors in downtown Columbia. The second-floor galleries are closed until the fall of 2018, but the first floor will feature many exhibitions and items from the permanent collection in the meantime. There's a giant Chihuly glass sculpture hanging in the main lobby that greets visitors upon entrance. From June 30 until Sept. 17, the exhibit "That '70s Show: Cool Art From the Collection" will showcase works of art with a nostalgic bent both amusing and complex from "the decade that taste forgot."
Newberry Opera House
It may be called an opera house, but this small historic gem of a theater in the similarly small and historic town of Newberry stages all manner of performing arts, mostly top touring musical acts. Built in 1881 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St., Newberry. 803-276-5179, www.newberryoperahouse.com) even has a Hampton Inn namesake property across the street opened primarily to complement the venerated venue and cater to the many out-of-town guests who come to its shows year-round. A recent addition to town is Bar Figaro, a high-end tavern where all the drinks are served in crystal glassware.
Jim Harrison Gallery
You may not know Jim Harrison's name, but you've likely seen his artwork. Harrison began his artistic career as a sign painter apprentice, painting Coca-Cola signs on the sides of buildings when he was a teen. Later, he became well-known as a painter of classic Americana scenes; the Coca-Cola Co. licensed him to paint scenes of buildings with Coke signs on the side of them, and he produced the annual Coca-Cola calendar among other items. Harrison passed away in 2016, but his gallery (4716 Carolina Highway, Denmark. 1-800-793-5796, jimharrison.com) is still going strong in the rural crossroads town of Denmark that he called home for most of his life in Thoroughbred Country.
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