Plus, Fireflies will start on April 8

Hello Sunday.

March 30 2025

This piece is part of our COLAtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.

In January, Creative Boom named Columbia-based artist Marius Valdes as one of the 20 most exciting illustrators to follow in the world. A professor at UofSC in the School of Visual Art and Design, you might have seen his work in elementary schools around the Midlands, Transmission Arcade, Richland County Library, or MUSC Children’s Hospital just to name a few.

We asked Marius 12 questions about his art, influences, and what he loves about the Soda City.

Marius Valdes with his frog grinning inner ear to inner ear. | Graphic via COLAtoday

Describe your perfect day in Columbia.

I’d start with an early morning trip to see my favorite gibbon ape swinging around at the Riverbanks Zoo. Then, I’d head over to Soda City Market to check out everybody’s dogs and people watch. After that, I’d duck into the Columbia Museum of Art to see some new art. I’d go across the street to see if there are any new cool kid’s books (I like the pictures) at the Richland Library and grab lunch at Motor Supply.

On the way home to Forest Acres, I’d stop by Cosmic Ray’s to pick up a Spider-Man comic book and see what Ray is grumbling about this week.

There have been a lot of murals pop-up around Columbia over the past 10 years. Do you have a favorite public art piece you’ve seen around town?

The most powerful one I have seen is "Leap" by Ija Charles on display on the side of the building at Richland Library.

The one that has the most meaning to me is by Alex Rusnak on Taylor Street. He was a student of mine at UofSC and was so passionate about public art. I remember how excited he was to make that mural. It was inspiring.

Christine Crawford is another former student who has become a mural-making machine and I’m constantly blown away at her fearlessness to make big art, so I’m always excited to see what she is putting up around Columbia.

Click the button below to keep reading about Marius Valdes and how he got in start in the art world creating art for the Music Farm.

10 MORE QUESTIONS HERE

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EVENTS

Today

UofSC Men’s Basketball vs Mississippi State | Wed., Feb. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $8+ 🏀
Work Your Plan | Wed., Feb. 23 | 6-7 p.m. | femme x COLUMBIA | $40 | A workshop to help you plan and balance your busy lifestyle.

Thursday

Blood Drive | Thurs., Feb. 24 | 12-6 p.m. | St. John Neumann Church | Free
Jellyfish Terrarium | Thurs., Feb. 24 | 6:30-8 p.m. | PlantHouse Cola, 702 Cross Hill Rd. | $38 🪴

Friday

Winter Jam | Fri., Feb. 25 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $10 donation at door | Christian music’s biggest multi-artist tour sponsored by Compassion International. 🎶
“These Shining Lives” | Fri., Feb.25-Sat., Feb. 26 | 8 p.m. | Longstreet Theatre | $15+ | Presented by UofSC Department of Theatre and Dance (more dates on their website)
Bratwurst, Beethoven and Biergarten | Fri., Feb. 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Palmetto Club | $100+ | Check out this fundraising event presented by the SC Philharmonic.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE FEBRUARY EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

81º | Partly cloudy | 11% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Bong. A new Taco Bell could be coming soon to the 200 block of downtown Blythewood. The project is awaiting approval from the Blythewood Architectural Review since the fast-food restaurant would be located in the Town Center district. 🔔 (Cola Daily)

Biz

The Starbucks location in the Vista — at the corner of Lincoln and Gervais Streets — has been closed since last year but is still under lease by the company. The Post and Courier reports that there has been interest in the location, but potential tenants must wait for the coffee company to break its lease. (The Post and Courier)

Sports

The Columbia Fireflies confirmed the team’s 2022 season will begin on April 8 as scheduled. This news comes amid the current lockout between Major League Baseball owners + the Major League Players Association. The team also released their promotional schedule. We’re looking forward to Riverbanks Zooperstars night.
Gamecock football players will now have the opportunity to monetize their jersey sales ahead of the 2022 college football season. UofSC joins a list of select schools that will offer the option for its student-athletes. Jerseys will be available for purchase in the online store operated by Fanatics. 🎽 (ABC Columbia)

Listen

There’s a new outlet to learn about the music scene in Cola. Soda City Jams features interviews and live videos with local groups like The Runout + Moses Andrews. The independent music journal aims to highlight and celebrate local talent. 🎼

Concert

Drift Jam Flotilla Music Festival on Lake Murray and Land Jam — Country Music Festival in Lugoff has been postponed until 2023. Drift Jam will have a new home on Lake Murray for the revamped festival upon return next June.

Plan Ahead

Cola Town Bike Collective will hold its spring sale on Sat., March 5, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 711 Elmwood Ave. All bikes will be 10% off for non-members + 15% off for members. 🚲

Health

An at-home colon cancer screening might sound like an appealing option, but are you a candidate? Prisma Health family medicine physician Matthew Nodelman, MD, explains the types of colon cancer screenings available so you can decide which is the right option for you.*
UofSC updated its mask policy as cases on campus have dropped drastically. The updated policy calls for mandatory mask-wearing while inside of instructional and research spaces, medical facilities + when riding on-campus transportation. (ABC Columbia)

Finance

There are tons of reasons to choose a local credit union. Because credit unions are not for profit, they can offer lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits + much more. 💸*

Eat

Looking for a new go-to healthy lunch? We love Lowes Foods’ recipe for spinach salad with fresh strawberries + goat cheese topped with their signature balsamic dressing. Top with your protein of choice. 🥗*

Real Estate

7909 Parklane, Northeast Columbia’s premier Class-A office building, features large blocks of contiguous space (read: 4 stories of ~29,500 sqft) in one of Cola’s most accessible submarkets. Interested in learning more about rental opportunities for a corporate HQ location? Contact Roger Winn or Braden Shockley of Trinity Partners Columbia.*

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

📸 @GamecockFB

Gamecocks head football coach Shane Beamer has been on a roll since his Duke's Mayo bath. Here’s a photo of him and his family in front of legendary coach Steve Spurrier’s restaurant while holding his Steve Spurrier First Year Head Coach Award trophy.

Coach Beamer's also been a man about town, popping up at Cock Hockey + basketball games.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: I've been attending Gamecock football games since 2002, and I can't remember there being this much hype around the team at this time of the year in a long time. Maybe since Jadeveon Clowney committed on Valentine's Day.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Read as Prisma Health On Call answers your heart health questions.

Today's edition by:

David

COLAtoday Team

Editorial: Samantha, David, Kaylee

Sales: Lindsey

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