Fourth-year art studio student Lucas Sams was the first to exhibit artwork at Tapp’s new Arts Center. In addition to his installation in its front window, Lucas has a studio, paint-splattered and packed with his art, in Tapp’s basement. Boasting 22,000 square feet of exhibit space, performance areas and artists’ studios, Tapp’s Arts Center, located at 1644 Main St., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It's the season of love, the time to show your special someone how you feel. You and your love might look to enjoy a taste of Italy, whose people are arguably the world’s romance and culinary pros. Should you empty your pockets on fancy pasta dishes in Lady and the Tramp style: candlelight and live musical accompaniment? Rather, do you get creative and devise an inexpensive alternative? Which is also Lady and the Tramp swag. (They ate for free in front of a dumpster.)

Tired of wearing the same grubby clothes that your closet offered last season... and the one before that? Most of us can agree that hipster-wear has to go and that the rest of your wardrobe could use an update. Here are a few ways to revamp it, whether you’re on a tight college budget or have extra bucks to burn.

Annette Hoover, a USC grad and owner of the event planning business, Eventus, is the mastermind behind HRTM 362: Wedding Planning and Management. Each year, her class selects one lucky couple for whom they plan a dream wedding, free of charge. Her seven years of experience consoling bridezillas, supporting students’ dreams and creating happily-ever-afters keeps Gamecock romance in the air.

In 2010, Amy Woodell, a fourth-year retail and fashion merchandising student, returned from a summer mission trip in a slum of Lusaka, Zambia, which changed the course of her life. The Cary, NC native had long dreamed of a fast-paced life in the New York City fashion industry, but the widows and children she met at an orphanage began to consume her thoughts.

Losing a parent is a tragedy no one wants to face, but fourth-year exercise science student Patrick Lawler found that, sometimes, it can breed hope, rejuvenation and a drive to help others. Two years ago, Patrick lost his mother to cancer, and for the last three, he has participated in Relay For Life, a 12-hour, overnight relay to raise money for the fight against cancer. He teamed up with his friend, Maddie Miller, to form Team Jameson in his mother’s honor.

What's your vice?

With the holidays creeping up, it can be tricky to figure out which friends or family members to spend your precious George Washingtons on—and more importantly, when you should save or splurge. Some loved ones are more dear to you than others, and you want to show them that. Or maybe you just owe them one. Here are some tips to help you decide who’s really worth it and who’s...well, NOT.

Jazz is meant to be experienced live, and Columbia is no slouch when it comes to offering a variety of the genre. From bold, boisterous improvising full bands to a delicate, smooth flavor, jazz is perfect for a sultry evening out.