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Columbia State Gallery Features Works by 13 Regional Artists in New Exhibit

Issue #783

July 30, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Partly cloudy, hazy w/ high of 91, low of 74

🎨 Columbia State Gallery Features Works by 13 Regional Artists in New Exhibit

👉 7/29-8/1: Just Between Friends Back to School Sale

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia State Gallery Features Works by 13 Regional Artists in New Exhibit

The Columbia State Community College Pryor Art Gallery will soon host a new exhibit titled "We Contain Multitudes," beginning in early August.

Contemporary Collective is a Nashville-based group of abstract artists who formed in 2012. Pryor Art Gallery Curator Tori Zemer, who was already familiar with the work of several of the Collective's artists, welcomed the opportunity to host the exhibition after connecting with group member and local artist Kim Sanderson.

Though the pieces shown in the gallery are by separate artists, when viewed as a whole, the works of the Contemporary Collective reveal the multitudes within each artist and convey a range of human experiences and expressions. 

Artists include:

•    Carol Williams, Nashville
•    Donna J. Wisener, Columbia
•    Erin Johnson, Murfreesboro
•    Gail Blane, Hopkinsville (KY)
•    Ginger Oglesby, Nashville
•    Karen Johnston, Nashville
•    Kim Sanderson, Columbia
•    Linda Butler, Brentwood
•    Lisa McLaughlin, Nashville
•    Mary Miller Veazie, Murfreesboro
•    Mildred Jarrett, Nashville
•    Pam Austin, Franklin
•    Patty Burks, Murfreesboro

“We represent a variety of ages, styles, approaches and motivations for painting,” said Karen Johnston, president of the Contemporary Collective. “Our paintings are not representations of what we see but rather living descriptions of what we feel. Through color, texture, energy and skill, our thoughts and emotions are intuitively transferred onto canvas. The painted results capture the essence of what cannot be touched by words. Alone, each piece is an independent work of art. Displayed together, our collection of paintings invigorates the viewer with an excitement for difference. The Contemporary Collective offers an expanse of original experiences rooted in creative, personal expression.”

The exhibit’s opening on Wednesday, Aug. 3 marks the first exhibit for the 2026-2027 season.

“This exhibition is a jewel box of abstract art,” said Tori Zemer, Columbia State Pryor Art Gallery curator. “It is full of big paintings, and there is so much passion, energy and color. Each piece on its own is beautiful, but as a whole, these works are breathtaking.”

An official opening reception for the exhibit will be held on August 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit is open through September 2. 

The Pryor Art Gallery is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike, and is open Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information about the Pryor Art Gallery and upcoming exhibitions, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/PryorGallery or Facebook.

7/29-8/1: Just Between Friends Back to School Sale

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Presale July 28 4pm-9pm

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – 𝐀𝐮𝐠. 𝟏

9am–8pm (𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 8am–2pm)
(Free Admission w/ online pass)

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Spring Hill Event Center
1018 Parkway Dr.
Spring Hill, TN

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, July 31st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Saturday, August 1st TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Sunday, August 2nd TN’s Tax-Free Weekend

Monday, August 3rd 

Tuesday, August 4th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, July 31
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Pepper Brooks - Southern Bayou Kitchen (Spring Hill), 7:00 PM
Herrick Duo - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday, August 1
Brittany McGee - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Rett Stocstill & Lacie Lee - Boot Stompin’ BBQ, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Trace Vineyard, 12-6 PM
Phillips Music - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6-8 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Radio Farm - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Vinyl Radio - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Nkahootz - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 2
Maddie Rose - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Greg Minear - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2-5 PM

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