September 2024
WeCo River District Welcomes New Businesses
On the afternoon of Friday, August 23, the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber sponsored the ribbon cutting for four new WeCo River District businesses:
Steven Whetstone Fine Art
Gretchen O. Studio
Tonya Mozenko Realtor
Garden & Relic
Jay White, owner of Garden & Relic, Tonya Mozenko, owner of Tonya Mozenko Realtor, Gretchen Opgenorth, owner of Gretchen O. Studio, and Steven Whetstone, owner of Steven Whetstone Fine Art, shared the ribbon cutting to mark the official grand opening of their respective businesses.
A WeCo River District Block Party followed. Hundreds of people enjoyed an evening of exploring the new businesses while participating in the block party festivities.
May the journey be prosperous for these four WeCo River District businesses.
Gallery Glimpse
If you were unable to attend the grand opening or stop by yet, here's a few photos of my awesome gallery.
Gretchen Opgenorth, owner of Gretchen O. Studio, is an interior designer who shares the gallery with Steven Whetstone Fine Art. Gretchen's artistic insight regarding interior design provides the perfect setting to display Steven's paintings. In addition to the gallery space, she has an office and design room.
Artist's Edge
My first experience with a gallery was in 5th grade when my elementary school art teacher took me to see Blue Sky’s gallery opening in Five Points circa 1990. I was mesmerized by his paintings and the feelings they gave me just by viewing them. I loved knowing you can make a living doing something that you’re passionate about.
Since then I’ve had a dream of doing a similar thing yet using the gallery space as my studio as well.
“Dreams can come true! Situations will always arise to throw our eyes away from our goals but if we keep putting in the work with some sweat and faith. We may find ourselves actually living out a dream!” -- Steven
LEFT PHOTO: Steven with Melanie Ward, his Saluda River Elementary School art teacher.
RIGHT PHOTO: When Steven's art was featured on the cover of Columbia Metropolitan in March 2020, he presented his former art teachers, Patt Kleckley (left), Northside Middle School, and Melanie Ward, Saluda River Elementary School, with an autographed copy.
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