Bluffton is expanding its investments in the cultural arts

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

Bluffton – with its numerous galleries, festivals, performing arts, and beautiful parks – has been designated by the South Carolina Arts Commission as a cultural district. It’s one of nine in the state so labeled, including Camden, Congaree Vista, Florence, Greenwood, Lancaster, Spartanburg and Beaufort.

What would it look like if Bluffton beyond the Old Town cultural district became an actual public art gallery with sculptures, murals, decorative elements or environmental art?

That is what’s behind the town’s Public Art Policy and its soon-to-be-named committee.

“What we’re working with now is trying to figure out how to embrace it and grow,” said Town Manager Stephen Steese. “We’re doing a public art policy that’s going to extend beyond the cultural district and cover the entire town. This is another tool that the town is putting together as an investment in the cultural arts.”

Charlene Gardner, owner of Four Corners Gallery in Bluffton, said the earlier effort to designate Bluffton as a cultural community began with Doreen Bauman, a transplant who thought it would be fitting to make Bluffton even more sought after as an arts destination.

“She recognized that art was a driving economic force in Bluffton, and she thought that we certainly fit the bill for this opportunity. It was really quite a nice opportunity for us to be designated,” said Gardner.

The state’s vision of a cultural designation is one that is walkable and easily identified by visitors and locals as a center of cultural, artistic and economic activity.

“A cultural district may contain galleries, live performance venues, theaters, artist studios, museums, arts centers, arts schools, and public art pieces,” states the Arts Commission’s website.

In order to maintain its standing, Bluffton must continue to meet the requirements outlined in the original application. The town’s new art policy fits right in with developing the image of a cultural destination.

The Bluffton Urban Sketchers group leader Pam Johnson-Brickell considers

Bluffton’s designation as very important.

“Calhoun Street is loaded with galler-

Please see CULTURAL ARTS on page 8A

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