Print

Monday, December 14, 2009

The West Main Artists Cooperative

The West Main Artists Cooperative is a non-profit initiative that houses thirty-five artists. Howard Solomon purchased the 20,000 square foot West Main Baptist church a few months back with the notion of giving artists an affordable place to work, providing a diverse group to learn from and forming a catalyst which would both pull the Spartanburg community together with fine art and help revitalize the downtown area. All aspect of the arts is produced here: painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, writing, music, performing arts are in the works, ceramics, jewelry making, and creative thinking in general. Plenty of exhibition space is here to hang, view, and sell work.

This new group cannot wait to work with other local art groups for future projects that will push Spartanburg into that huge art scene like Greenville, Asheville, Columbia and Charlotte have. Great ideas for community functions that focus on the fine arts are on the table now! Never before has Spartanburg had such a diverse collection of artists in one spot. This is a place where people can learn from others and apply that knowledge to her/his work. Each will push another to a new level of clarity that will expand their art. Growth as an artist from a collective seems to be the theme here. Over all, it is a new foundation of creativity where individuals become stronger through their peers.
The artists come from all over the county to unite the town during hard economic times, proving the upstate will rise and usher in a new sense of place for artists to work for years to come.

The co-op has the Main Street Trolley for three months, so getting here will not be a problem during each and every Art Walk.

The Cooperative hopes to see as many new faces as they will the old on December 17th for their first Art Walk. Come explore all mediums of art at 578 West Main Street.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Police, Victim Advocates and Wal-Mart Provide Christmas Gifts for Children

Police, Victim Advocates and Wal-Mart Provide Christmas Gifts for Children

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department; Office of Victim Assistance, Wal-Mart Super Centers, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, United Way of the Piedmont, Weed & Seed, Integral Solutions, 911 Communications, FRED’S, Converse Fire Department, The Church of Latter Day Saints – Spartanburg First Ward and area High Schools have teamed up to sponsor “Shop with a Cop”. Officers and Victim Advocates will kick off this year’s event for the first time at the Dorman Centre Wal-Mart Super Center on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 10:00am. The event will then make its’ annual occurrence on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Wal-Mart Super Center at 2151 E. Main St. in Spartanburg at 10:00am and the Wal-Mart Super Center at 4000 Hwy 9 in Boiling Springs at 2:00pm to give children an opportunity to fulfill their Christmas wishes. The event will begin with a meeting with Santa Claus and then the children are paired with an officer who will assist them with their Christmas shopping for that special gift.

The children benefiting from this event may not otherwise experience the joy of Christmas from a child’s perspective. Needy children from the Spartanburg area, as well as children who are victim/survivors of crime, have been invited to participate in this year’s “Shop with a Cop”. Spartanburg Public Safety Department Victim Advocate, Marla Drummond states that, “We are grateful for the opportunity to provide our community’s youngest citizens a memorable holiday experience that truly exhibits the sincere caring of the Spartanburg community".

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

ROAD CLOSINGS FOR DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS



ROAD CLOSINGS FOR DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS

The 16th annual A Dickens of a Christmas is planned for Tuesday, December 1 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in downtown Spartanburg. Due to the event the following streets will be closed starting at 3 p.m.

• Converse Street from Dunbar Street to Broad Street
• Main Street from Converse Street to Spring Street
• Magnolia Street at the Magnolia Parking Garage to Dunbar Street
• Wall Street from Main Street to Broad Street
• Broad Street from Church Street to Converse Street

The following will close at 5 p.m.
• Church Street from St. John Street to Broad Street

The Victorian-era celebration complete with horse drawn carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, hand bell choirs, ballet dancers, characters from the Charles Dickens novel, living windows, holiday choirs, and the magical Denny’s Tree Lighting Ceremony has drawn tens of thousands of attendees for the last 15 years. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 8:00 p.m. with a community sing-along of favorite Christmas songs, led by the Spartanburg Community Band, University of South Carolina Upstate Gospel Choir and Park Hills Elementary School Chorus.

To learn more details about the celebration visit http://www.spartanburgdickens.org/