Barack Obama and other dignitaries will make an artistic visit to the Village Artists Gallery in Columbia before the inauguration January 20. As part of an art exhibit, paintings of the President- elect and other politicians will be on display through February 1 at 631-8 Promenade Place, in the Village at Sandhill at Two Notch and Clemson roads.

The gallery will feature the work of 13 local artists, who have painted various artistic versions of the president, his wife and other dignitaries, and various landmarks that will be part of the inauguration of the 44th president.

"We thought this would be a great time to paint some commemora- tive art in honor of the inauguration," said Karen Langley, president of Village Artists. "Whether we're Democrats or Republicans, we've used our artistic talent to create a lasting expression and commemoration of this historic moment."

For more information, call the Village Artists Gallery at 699-8886.