Chapman Cultural Center announces launch of
Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District
Chapman Cultural Center is excited to announce the official launch of
the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District. The opening night event will take place on Morgan Square and at various locations within the District
on Thursday, November 17th, 2016 in conjunction with Artwalk. An opening ceremony will begin at 4:30pm on Morgan Square and the event will continue throughout the evening with open galleries, live music, and public art installations. The public is invited to participate in numerous workshops on November 5th, 13th & 17th to help create temporary works of art that will be visual signifiers in the District throughout the month of November.
A "Cultural District" is designated by the South Carolina Legislature as a specific geographical area in a city or town that has a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. With the help of the Chapman Cultural Center's Culture Counts initiative which began in 2013, the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District was approved by the City of Spartanburg and South Carolina Arts Commission in 2015. A Steering Committee was formed 2015 and charged with the project planning which culminated in the official launch.
Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of Chapman Cultural Center says:
"It is wonderful to receive state and national recognition of the sheer quantity and diverse cultural assets that exist in our city. The launch
of the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District allows us to wrap a ribbon around those assets and activities and make them even more accessible
not only to our local residents but also to visitors coming to Spartanburg. This designation allows us to distinguish Spartanburg as a culturally diverse and vibrant downtown."
The Chapman Cultural Center was awarded three grants to fund the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District launch by South Carolina Arts Commission, City of Spartanburg and the Hughes Investment Elevate Upstate Community Vibrancy Grant provided by Ten at the Top. A grant was awarded to local fiber artist and graphic designer Ashleigh Shuler who will be creating temporary public art installations. Shuler was awarded the project through a juried competition with a selection committee made up of members of the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District Steering Committee. Shuler is creating and installing several textile-based artworks in the District that will serve as visual identifiers, setting the Cultural District apart from the larger downtown business district.
With over 200 cultural assets and a burgeoning creative sector that includes rapid growth in the visual and performing arts, and other creative businesses, as well as strong economic growth downtown, the public artwork placed within this district is intended to visually communicate and celebrate Spartanburg's cultural vibrancy.
The temporary public art project is a partnership between Chapman Cultural Center, The Spartanburg Art Museum, City of Spartanburg and the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District Steering Committee. Spartanburg Art Museum's Executive Director, Elizabeth Goddard, curated the temporary public art installation for the opening along with the support of Melissa Earley and Alissa Heckle of the Chapman Cultural Center
Some of Ashleigh Shuler's public art installations for the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District will include; hundreds of colorful crocheted discs and squares installed in Morgan Square and Richardson Park. Shuler will also use various fiber materials to wrap around existing exterior structures in the Zimmerli Plaza on the campus of the Chapman Cultural Center.
As part of the public art process, there are community build workshops for the general public. Shuler provides the materials, supplies, and instruction. No experience is necessary to participate.
THAT'S A WRAP
SAM Family Programming
Sunday November 13, 1-4pm
Zimmerli Plaza on Chapman Cultural Center Campus
Join artist Ashleigh Shuler for a Community Build for the Spartanburg Cultural District Public Art Program using miles of yarn and other textiles. Participants will use materials to wrap existing exterior supports and structures in this beautiful public space and transform it into a very colorful and whimsical new social experience. No experience is necessary to participate and all the materials and supplies are provided.
Go Crochet!
Grab some yarn and a pattern at the Spartanburg Art Museum and Go Crochet! Contribute to the Cultural District Public Art Project on your own pace. Materials are available through Sunday November 13 at the front desk. Bring your crocheted discs back to the museum by Wednesday November 16 at 5pm. They will be installed at Morgan Square in time for the opening on Thursday evening beginning at 5pm on November 17.
Cultural District Public Art Project Grand Opening
Thursday November 17, 4:30-8pm
Morgan Square, Downtown Spartanburg
Enjoy live music, meet the artist and other creatives and help install fiber discs into the existing fence for this site-specific public art project.
