The 6 Places In Columbia, TN Perfect For Art Lovers Everywhere

The charming town of Columbia, Tennessee, is the perfect destination for a day trip. With expensive green fields that line the Duck River and plenty of quaint restaurants to choose from, the town is a great place to escape if you’re looking to get out of Nashville for a day. What many don’t realize, though, is that Columbia is bursting with a culture all its own and is the perfect retreat for art lovers.

Over the years, the city of Columbia has become a hot spot for the arts and music scene, which have brought cultural and artistic opportunities that have enhanced this beautiful region. Here are some of our favorite spots we are confident that all lovers of the arts will enjoy.

Columbia Arts Building

The Columbia Arts Building (CAB) is a revitalized, 12,000 square-foot rustic space that houses studios, shops, and restaurants. The CAB is located in the Arts District of Columbia and offers a wide range of classes on different subjects, including painting, ceramics, pottery, photography, mineral collecting, fiber arts, homesteading, and more.

An example of one of the maker businesses you’ll find in the CAB is Boomstall. This by-the-stem flower stall sells gifts you can proudly display in your own home or give to others. They also feature women makers and designers.

Columbia Arts District

The city of Columbia established historic zoning to protect its cultural assets. That led to the development of seven unique neighborhoods, including the commercial district downtown, four historical residential districts, and the Arts District.

The Columbia Arts District was created to give artists a haven in which they could work and live. Today, it welcomes all artists and creative enterprises, from music and vocal arts to the performing arts to fine arts. The Columbia Arts District was established in 2017 and is home to local artists, those who are new to the community, and creatives who are relocating and looking for a new place to work and live. The unique vibe of the district and its residents has culminated in a contemporary, creative culture just blocks from the town square.

In addition to the Columbia Arts Building, the Arts District is also home to Columbia Culinary Arts Center, Windmill Bakery, Lumberyard Gardens, and Battlefield Cigars. You’ll also find a number of studios from a number of artists, including William Fantini, who specializes in graphic design, Holly Freeman, who does fiber arts and weaving, Robert Freeman, a sculptor and photographer, Andy Moore, a portrait painter, Hannah Odom, a potter, and William Greene, an abstract painter. You can visit their individual studios to view and purchase the artists’ work.

Other businesses in the Arts District include the CAB Cafe, E.C. Ivey Cabinetmakers, ENVY Hair Salon, Impressions Promotional Products, Lumberyard Gardens, Mule Town Lumberyard, and the Pottery Nest. You’ll also find a donut and cake shop, bakery and coffee shop, and a gift shop. Each of these businesses embraces the eclectic vibe that the Columbia Arts District is known for. The entire Columbia Arts Distract stretches from 8th and South Garden Streets to 11th and Depot Streets.

Maury County Arts Guild

The Maury County Arts Guild brings the performing arts to Columbia, Tennessee, with productions like Shadowbox, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Hamlet for community theater.

Located at 705 Lion Parkway in Columbia, the MCAG has been providing events and premier arts programs in Maury County for almost 50 years, including:

• Theatrical performances.
• Youth education programs.
• Performing arts series.
• Art galleries.

Pryor Art Gallery

Located on the Columbia State Community College campus and free to the public, this gallery’s mission is to inspire, challenge, educate, and entertain. The gallery hosts a variety of exhibits throughout the year and embraces all forms of visual art. The Pryor Gallery has its own permanent collection in addition to hosting exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Maury County Library in Columbia

The Maury County Public Library was founded in 1902 by the Student’s Club. Originally established as a reading room on Garden Street, that establishment became the first iteration of what would eventually become the Maury County Public Library. The library moved several times, from private homes to a former post office, until it found its permanent home at 211 W. 8th St. in 1968.

In addition to its collection of books, the library is also home to its own art gallery. The library continually rotates its art installations for the public to enjoy.

Public Art Sculptures and Murals

Not all of Columbia’s art can be found in studios or art galleries. You can enjoy much of it as you walk around town. Some of Columbia’s hidden artistic treasures include murals, sculptures, and even ghost signs that are found in the Arts District, downtown, on the Columbia State campus, and in other areas around town. While some definitely call for some deep reflection, others demand you take our your camera and pose for a photo. Some of our favorites you should definitely see include:

• Arts District Mural by Colley on South Garden Street
• Fire Department mural by Colley on South Garden Street
• ‘The Graduate’ Sculpture by Duncan located on the Columbia State campus
• ‘Three Figures’ Sculpture by Vander Weg at the Columbia State campus
• Muletown Showdown Mule on East 7th
• Buckhead Coffeehouse Mural on Trotwood Avenue
• Martin & Vaughn Ghost Sign on East. 7th Street
• Mule Queen Mural by Whitleah on East 6th Street
• My Columbia Mural by Leach on 11th Street
• Mount Pleasant Mural located in downtown Mount Pleasant

You can find many more murals and sculptures in and around the Columbia area. See how many you can spot during your visit or even turn it into an artsy scavenger hunt.

These are just a few of our top recommendations for places that art lovers should stop by during a visit to Columbia, Tennessee. Did we leave anything off the list? Are there other places that should be added? Contact us and let you know what other destinations you think art lovers would enjoy during a visit.