As Spartanburg County's Local Arts Agency, Chapman Cultural Center has been a key player in the addition of Public Art within our City and County. We've worked with a variety of partners in the private and public sectors to help bring art to our community.
Our team has helped manage and implement a variety of Public Art projects that bring a greater sense of vibrancy, pride, and community engagement to Spartanburg.
Below, are a few of our recent projects and Public Art initiatives.
Creative Crosswalk Project
Chapman Cultural Center, in partnership with the City of Spartanburg, OneSpartanburg Inc, and USC Upstate, implemented crosswalk murals at three intersections in downtown Spartanburg. The project sought to use public art to create a more vibrant, safe, accessible downtown for pedestrians; increase the inventory of public art in Spartanburg’s Downtown Cultural District; and engage with local artists and provide opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
Spartanburg Area Mental Health Mural - You Matter
Spartanburg Area Mental Health, with funding from the Mary Black Foundation, partnered with Chapman Cultural Center to install a mural that brought a message of hope to the people in our community struggling with mental health issues. The artist was tasked with designing a mural to convey a sense of belonging, of not being alone, of the power of community, and a reminder that “your story doesn’t end here - You Matter.” Artist Lauren Andreu was selected after a public artist call and the mural was officially unveiled through a public ceremony with City of Spartanburg officials on January 3.
The mural is located in downtown Spartanburg within the Spartanburg Downtown Cultural District on the wall of the downtown Starbucks.
Cleveland Park Walkway Project
Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation partnered with Chapman Cultural Center to recruit artists to design and implement a public art installation between Cleveland Park and Berry Field, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The walkway mural was a collaborative project initiated by Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation, managed by Chapman Cultural Center, and created by artists Frankie Zombie and Adrian Meadows. The goals of the project were to create a brighter, safer, more pleasing walkway for pedestrians; to increase the inventory of public art in Spartanburg; and engage with local artists while providing opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
Hope Mural, downtown Spartanburg
The Hope Mural in downtown Spartanburg was an initiative of Come Closer, a city movement made up of a group of pastors, ministry workers, business and civic leaders who desire to love the city of Spartanburg to life in Christ. Come Closer focuses on important areas of need in the community such as poverty & homelessness, children & orphans, prisoners, internationals & refugees, racial reconciliation and fighting against human trafficking.
Spartanburg is a place where hope exists. It is present in our community and available to everyone. For people of faith, we know that there is hope in Jesus who has the power to change lives. The HOPE mural is meant to be a gift to the residents and visitors of Spartanburg from the Christian faith community. It is meant to direct people who are struggling in our community to services that can help them and bring them hope. Learn more about this initiative at hopeintheburg.com.
Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light, Bloomberg Philanthropies
Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light brought nine temporary art installations to public spaces in ten neighborhoods throughout the city. The project was a partnership among the City of Spartanburg Police and Community Relations Departments, internationally renowned light and digital media artist Erwin Redl, the Chapman Cultural Center, and neighborhood associations in the city of Spartanburg. Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light, built on National Night Out, an annual event that promotes crime prevention efforts, police-community partnership, and neighborhood camaraderie. In late Fall 2015, artist Erwin Redl began collaborating with the city’s police department and selected neighborhood associations to design and develop LED light installations that would transform open spaces and create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.
Northside Artlets
The Artlets were the brainchild of the Northside Voyagers, who wanted public art in their neighborhood that would help them show off the prolific talents of Northside residents. They wanted places to play music, stage plays and poetry readings, sing, dance, and just simply be creative with their families and neighbors. Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and from many generous community partners, the Northside neighborhood will soon be home to four unique sites that will help them express themselves. The Artlets are Free + Open to All. No scheduled or appointment needed.
ReGenesis Healthcare Mural
ReGenesis Healthcare Center, Family Medicine, Pediatrics & Teen Center, on S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC sought to implement a mural with a theme of African savanna and jungle animals in bright colors. The medical facility predominantly serves children and families, and the mural was intended to bring color and cheer to the facility and have a welcoming and calming effect on patients. The mural was designed and completed by artist Breanna Matthews.
Robert Smalls Townhomes Mural - Coming Soon
A two-part mural will be installed inside the Robert Smalls Townhomes in Spartanburg, SC. The townhomes are being constructed by Colliers International and should be completed by the spring of 2022. The mural will be located in the clubhouse, which will serve the needs of the tenants and will be open as a meeting place for local groups and clubs. The purpose of the murals is to commemorate the life of Robert Smalls and educate the community as to his amazing feats of bravery and daring and his service in the SC government.
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