If you're an art enthusiast living in the Upstate, this past weekend was likely one of your favorites of the year – for a good reason. 145 artists opened up their studios + showcased their artwork to the public during Metropolitan Arts Council's Open Studios. It's a time to not only celebrate our local arts community but also to increase awareness of our thriving creative scene.

Our team spent the weekend exploring little-known studios in backyards, on side-streets, and in typically by-appointment-only buildings. We hit over 20+ studios during the weekend (teamwork makes the dream work). And, yesterday, we hopped on a MAConnect bus tour and visited 5 studios with 40 arts supporters (complete with brunch + bloody's before).

Here are the highlights of our Sunday Funday arts adventure –

Will Donovon | Ceramics | Will explores the parallels between functional objects and human fulfillment. Fun Fact: He's making the bowls, mugs + plates for the soon-to-open Husk restaurant.

Art Up Studios | Hampton Station | Gerry Wubben | Graphic illustrations, abstract painting, more. | Gerry was an art professor for 30 years before moving to Greenville + believes in a versatile visual exploration that spans different media. Fun fact: His hyper-realistic, larger-than-life illustrations take about 3 months to complete.

Melissa Anderson | Fine Art | Melissa's art focuses on color, texture, and pattern. Fun fact: She uses palette knives to move around color + create texture.

Freda Sue | Ivey Square | Freda's work is a series of reflections on human relationships and their environment’s impact through time and space. Fun fact: She uses a reduction woodcut method to create colorful + multi-layered graphic prints.