Discover Two Organizations Encouraging Artistic Involvement in Western South Carolina
“The sum is greater than its parts” is a well-known adage that could very well be used to describe Western South Carolina, especially when it comes to the arts. While Aiken, Saluda, McCormick and Edgefield counties are noteworthy individually, the region has emerged as a destination for fans of the arts and artists themselves.
Two of the region’s most prominent arts organizations, the McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah (MACK) and Aiken Center for the Arts, have made arts accessibility a fundamental part of their missions. These nonprofits work year-round to promote local artists and help the broader community become involved in the arts.
Much at the MACK
One of the region’s most renowned sites of culture and heritage is the MACK. Located in a 1910-era building, the Hotel Keturah saw several iterations before becoming the home of the MACK in the mid-1980s. Today, the MACK is not only the hotel’s steward, but it is also “an important part of local heritage, tourism and culture,” says Heather McNally, the MACK’s director of programs and development.
The MACK does this by providing high-quality arts and culture opportunities to all ages. In fact, it has an education fund that provides access to subsidized and low-cost options. The MACK’s offerings run the gamut, including things like:
- Summer camps for kids ages 5-15
- Senior-centric dance classes
- Year-round small-group arts instruction
- A community quilting group
- Popular community development projects like a series of hand-painted murals created in conjunction with the county
Although the nonprofit is currently engaged in the MACK Rehabilitation Project, which McNally says is focused on maintaining the building’s historic heritage while “offering new uses of space for galleries, exhibitions and a future space dedicated to future generations” upon completion, the MACK plans to bring back its juried art and photography programs and monthly exhibitions of area talent.
“Even just being in McCormick, you’re surrounded by the arts, which is really wonderful,” McNally says.
As for artists, the MACK boasts the Artisans Guild & Gift Shop, which is operated by volunteers and artists, and offers wares from local artisans ranging from pottery to jewelry. Additionally, McNally says the region gives artists unique “professional opportunities through instruction, retail and exhibition.”
The Heart of Aiken
Founded in 1930, the Aiken Center for the Arts is a community arts center and another of the area’s most preeminent arts organizations. Specializing in visual and performing arts, this nonprofit works to build community through the arts and break down barriers to participation, says Caroline Gwinn, executive director of the Aiken Center for the Arts.
“We really look at the community and ask, ‘How can we help? Where are the gaps? Who is being left out? How can we include them?’” Gwinn says.
This inquisitive framework has helped the center create and offer engagement opportunities for all ages, including:
- After-school planning
- A youth orchestra
- Group and private arts lessons, camps and workshops
- A therapeutic painting program for adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
The Aiken Center for the Arts also hosts free and ticketed fundraising events that blend community and the arts. These include yearly gatherings like the annual antique show and Horse Around Aiken Treasure Hunt, where participants find and view commissioned sculptures that highlight the area’s rich equestrian history. Others commemorate important anniversaries with area ties, such as the one-off Celebrating Secretariat event, which recognized the 50th anniversary of the legendary racehorse Secretariat’s Triple Crown win.
Together, the MACK and Aiken Center for the Arts create opportunities for Western South Carolina to engage with the arts. They give area artists opportunities to advance and showcase their creations as well, which means the region’s natural beauty is rivaled only by its artistic offerings. Overall, the region’s priorities surrounding creativity play a key role in making Western South Carolina an ideal place to visit and plant roots.
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