Artist M.C. Escher fascinates audiences with his imaginative design, dreamy visions and consummate draftsmanship. First inspired by nature, his work later became submerged into what Escher referred to as “mental imagery,” with a host of subjects influenced by alchemy, mathematics, architectures and the concept of metamorphosis. Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $10. (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org