Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Julia Dempsey uses tools she purchased with her art grant to turn wood into beautiful bowls.
A record-breaking $11.9 million in grants were awarded to arts organizations, arts learning efforts, and artists by The S.C. Arts Commission (SCAC) to ensure continued statewide access to art. $46,227 of this funding was awarded to Barnwell County artists and art initiatives.
550 grants were distributed throughout 43 counties in the state in four categories – artist development, community arts development, arts learning, and additional programs such as accessibility grants, Folklife and Traditional Arts grants, and South Carolina Cultural Districts.
$9.15 million of the grant funding came from the SCAC’s annual grants, and the other $2.8 million was provided through the National Endowment for the Arts through the CARES Act.
In Barnwell County, the Barnwell County Arts Council, Blackville Community Development Corporation (CDC) Partners For Progress, Williston-Elko High School, and local artist Julia Dempsey were awarded.
“The Arts Commission is committed to ensuring the people of South Carolina, wherever they might be, have access to the arts in some way. I applaud the efforts of our staff, who distribute these grants and manage programs. Our commissioners and the staff will continue working toward giving access to the arts to everyone in our state,” said SCAC Chairwoman Dee Crawford in a statement.
The Barnwell County Arts Council (BCAC) was awarded $3,375 for operating support. The BCAC’s mission is to “educate and stimulate participation in the cultural arts,” according to their website.
Blackville CDC Partners For Progress was awarded $38,397 in total between two grants for initiatives through the Phoenix Project. One grant was for partnerships and special projects totalling $28,397, the other was $10,000 for the development of the Content Creation Laboratory.
The Phoenix Project is under the umbrella of the Blackville CDC, and aims to bring arts to the community through educational initiatives.
“We try to put arts and education in the community, and the Content Creation Lab would provide services for that,” said Evelyn Coker, Executive Director of the Blackville CDC.
The Content Creation Laboratory is located at the Blackville Town Hall and is open to the community. Here, individuals can produce podcasts and work with video as well as host and take arts and education classes.
Currently, the Content Creation Lab is holding music by ear classes for children and adults offered by a local art instructor and musician. Earlier this year, the space was used to showcase an African Art Exhibit as well as dance classes, piano lessons, and craft auctions.
“Funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission has allowed the Phoenix Project to procure equipment and have a secure space in Blackville Town Hall to house the laboratory. All that’s missing now, is your VISION,” states the Phoenix Project website.
Williston-Elko High School (WEHS) was awarded $2,788 for spring band camp supplies including music, flag poles and silks, a locking rolling percussion cabinet, and a warmup mat for spring band camp, according to Williston-Elko High School Band Director Jessica Pym.
This is not the only art-related grant the Barnwell County Consolidated School District (BCCSD) has received in recent months. A $15,000 per year, three-year grant partnership was awarded through the SC Arts Commission to hire a part-time Coordinator of Visual and Performing arts for BCCSD.
Grant funding was also awarded through the SC Department of Education. $10,000 for instruments, music and sound equipment was awarded to WEHS as well as $10,000 to Blackville-Hilda High School for acoustical panels, instruments, chairs and more.
“Funding provided through the SC Arts Commission and SC Department of Education has allowed our school district to provide stellar arts opportunities for our students! We are so thankful for these grant opportunities and hope to continue using these funds to enrich student education through the arts in Barnwell County Consolidated School District,” said Pym.
Local artist Julia Dempsey was awarded $1,667 for art project support in creating resin and wood crafts.
Dempsey is a retired nurse practitioner and nursing professor, and has began creating wood and resin art as an artistic outlet. To master the combination of resin and wood, Dempsey turns to video tutorials.
Dempsey dyes her work with powders rather than a coat of paint to maintain the visible and unique wood grain.
With this funding, she was able to purchase equipment to create hollow forms and supplies to continue pursuing this art form.
She hopes to begin selling bowls, 18-inch river tables, candle stands, and much more at artisan and craft shows in the next 12 months as she grows her inventory.
In Allendale County, Allendale Enterprise was the only entity awarded. The nonprofit received $10,000 to further their program, Community Hope through Art Engagement & Empowerment.
In fiscal year 2020, SCAC set its previous record by awarding $5.1 million in grants.
For more information about the art opportunities through Content Creation Laboratory and the Blackville CDC, call (803) 284-0735.
For more information on SCAC, visit https://www.southcarolinaarts.com.
