Catalina Keller relaxes on the "Sofa City" couch during PARK(ING) Day in Columbia.

Columbia creatives came together on September 15, 2017 to celebrate the annual event PARK(ING) Day. 

PARK(ing) Day is a annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals (operating independently of Rebar but following an established set of guidelines) creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out! (Source: ParkingDay.Org)

During PARK(ing) Day, many Columbia citizens stopped by to ask about the event and participate in the festivities even if just for a second. It was a great time spent, with great people doing something great for our city. Columbia Mayor Stephen "Steve" Benjamin stopped by a moment and graced the PARK(ing) Day canvas with a heart. "The world could use a little bit more love." He stated while painting. Art has consistently been the catalyst for change throughout human existence. Columbia has been doing a tremendous job at embracing the winds of art during the last few years. I enjoy watching our landscape transform with vibrant colors, galleries, murals, and public art installations that spark deeper discussion about what connects us as not only neighbors, but as humans. "Home is where the ART is" indeed.