2023 Inspire! Festival Guide

March 23 - April 2, 2023

2023 Inspire! Festival

Hellofriends and neighbors. Thank you for your interest in the 2023 INSPIRE! Festival. We are excited about this yearʼs festival, which will be held March 23 – April 2. We have a great lineup of diverse events in an attempt to provide opportunities for everyone in our community and increase our impact on the arts, music and culture of Sumter. As we move from one season to the next and things begin to blossom and life begins anew, we hope you will experience a rebirth of interest and find much enjoyment in the wonderful musical, artistic and theatrical talent that we are blessed to have in our community.

Our outdoor musical event this year is the BAND OF OZ at beautiful Swan Lake Iris Gardens on Friday, March 24. The Band of Oz is an award-winning beach band that has played all over the Southeast to the delight of beach music lovers and shaggers for many years. Recently they have “modernized” their sound, having earned the reputation as one of the most exciting “party bands” in our area. There will be several food trucks on hand, and Sumter Original Brewery will be providing refreshments. Come on out to Swan Lake on March 24. Music will begin at 6 p.m., so bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to party the night away!

One of our most popular events, which always draws a huge crowd, is the WALK OF ART, held in downtown Sumter. This yearʼs “Walk” will be on Saturday, March 25. Artwork by Sumter artists will be installed at about 20 stops in historic downtown Sumter for the public to enjoy. Artists will be on site, painting, sculpting, drawing and more, showcasing their work. A selection of beer, wine and food will be available at each stop. The event starts at 4 p.m. at Sumter Original Brewery. Check-in is at the same location. We look forward to seeing you in our thriving downtown Sumter.

A much-anticipated and joyous musical opportunity coming our way is the PRAISE FEST GOSPEL CELEBRATION to be held at Patriot Hall on Friday, March 31. Bringing together people of faith to celebrate and enjoy the uplifting sounds of gospel music promises to be a joyous time. The performers are a whoʼs who of well-known and beloved artists from around this area, including Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites, Roy and Revelation, and Sonny Brown and the Xperience. Other performers adding to the excitement and enjoyment will be The Fabulous Singing Angels, Lee Burgess and Resurrection, Justified, The New Boyz and Elija Bradford. Concessions will be available. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. We hope to see you there for an evening of praise and worship.

This year, for the first time, we are bringing a theatrical performance by some of our high school students under the INSPIRE! umbrella. The Sumter High Theater Department will be presenting the musical FIREBRINGER: ALL AGES VERSION on March 23, 24 and 25. Firebringer is a new Stone Age-era musical by Starkid Productions about a primitive tribe discovering fire and transforming their lives for good and bad. In the end, they must

come together to survive. The musical is directed by Kelly Melton. We are delighted that INSPIRE! can encourage and promote the arts among our young people.

The Sumter County Museum is presenting a special exhibit, THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. ARTHENIA J. BATES MILLICAN. A grand-opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 26 featuring Nikky Finney as the keynote speaker. Millican was a Sumter native and accomplished author, poet, humanitarian and teacher who was internationally acclaimed for her writings and depictions of the lives of African Americans in the rural South.. Millican received numerous accolades both during her lifetime and after, including a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and the 2017 induction into the S.C. Academy of Authors. The program begins at 2 p.m.

As always, the Sumter Little Theatre will be providing a delightful theatrical experience as part of the INSPIRE! Festival. This yearʼs offering is a musical titled INTO THE WOODS. The play is based on the intertwined plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including characters taken from “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella.” The musical has won three Tony awards and had numerous very successful runs both on Broadway and on tour across the country. Not suitable for children under 10 years of age. Performances are March 23, 24 and 25 at 7 p.m.; March 26 at 3 p.m.; March 30, 31 and April 1 at 7 p.m.; and April 2 at 3 p.m. This production directed by Todd Warrick promises to be a real hit for our adults that are young at heart!

The Sumter County Gallery of Art will be providing some great jazz on Thursday, March 30, during its GALLERY AFTER HOURS event featuring Nicci Canada and Dapper Street Jazz Band. Attendees will also be able to enjoy the galleryʼs current exhibit “Sumter Collects III,” which features

art from the personal collections of over 30 Sumter individuals and families. Light refreshments will be served. It will be an unforgettable evening.

An EXHIBIT FROM THE ANNE FRANK CENTER will be on display at the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center. This exhibit is based on three collections from the archives of the Anne Frank Center, including eight original lithographs by Henri Pieck drawn during his internment in Buchenwald concentration camp, 12 linoleum and woodcut prints by Marie de Zaaijer depicting the remembrances, suffering and hardship endured by Holland, and eight original propaganda posters distributed by the Nazi-controlled Dutch government. The exhibit will be open Thursday and Friday, March 23-24, 1-4 p.m., and Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and again on Thursday and Friday, March 30-31, 1-4 p.m., and Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Again, we thank you for your interest and support of the INSPIRE! Festival. Our goal is to promote art, music and theater in Sumter and to honor the memory and legacy of our friend and mentor Roger Ackerman. Proceeds from the INSPIRE! Festival, go to the Ackerman Legacy Foundation whose mission is to support the Sumter County Museum, Sumter County Gallery of Art, Sumter Little Theatre, The CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimerʼs Research Trust), and the fine arts programs in our local schools.

FOR TICKET INFORMATION PLEASE GO TO WWW.SUMTERINSPIREFESTIVAL.ORG

INSPIRE! Executive Committee

Elizabeth Britton

Johnny Hilton

Jay Schwartz

KEEPING ROGER'S MEMORY alive

Roger Ackerman loved the arts, he loved people, and he loved Sumter. He may no longer be with us, but those dear to him are making sure his love of life, his passion for the arts and his impact on the Sumter community continue on in his memory with this 10-day celebration of some of what he held most dear.

When Roger passed, his friends, with the blessing of his wife, Deane Ackerman, a talented artist herself, established the Inspire! Festival in his memory. All the events celebrate what he loved and would have attended and financially supported. All the proceeds benefit organizations and causes he either focused his philanthropy on or helped found himself. The Inspire! committee ensures that by having established the Ackerman Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that funnels money to the four beneficiaries you will find more information about throughout this book.

“Roger loved people. He was best at connecting people,” Inspire! committee member Johnny Hilton said.

Roger served on a variety of boards and community groups, including the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, Sumter Family YMCA, Sumter Little Theatre, Sumter County Gallery of Art, Sumter County Cultural Commission, Sumter Industrial Association and Covenant Place of Sumter. He served as co-chair of the 2002-03

Building Fund for the gallery and was named the YMCAʼs Humanitarian of the Year in 1997.

He was an active member of the Sumter Rotary Club for more than 50 years and served as president from 1978-79. He was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 1982 and 2017 and was named District 7770 Rotarian of the Year in three different decades. He has received Rotary Internationalʼs Distinguished Service Award and was given the Service Above Self Award in 2006, the highest honor given to an individual Rotarian.

Roger received the Order of the Palmetto in 2008, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor for excellence in service. He received Sumterʼs highest honor, the Gamecock City Society Award, in the last months of his life. Instead of receding in illness, he spent his last years dedicated to preserving Temple Sinai and opening the Jewish History Center in June 2018 with an assurance it would be maintained by the Sumter County Museum for its long-term viability. Roger died in September 2018.

“He had a goal to make the world a better place,” Hilton said shortly after his friendʼs passing in 2018. “You know the saying leave a campsite better than it was when you arrived? His campsite was the world.”

To all who knew Roger, he was an inspiration.

INSPIRE! FESTIVAL MAP

Sumter County Museum - 122 N. Washington St.

Sumter County Gallery of Art - 200 Hasel St.

Sumter Little Theatre - 14 Mood Ave.

Patriot Hall - 135 Haynesworth St.

Temple Sinai Jewish History Museum - 15 Church St.*

Sumter Original Brewing (Walk of Art check-in) - 2 S. Main St.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens - 822 W Liberty St.*

Sumter High School Drama Room Theatre - 2580 McCrays Mill Road*

*not pictured

E. LIBERTY ST.

E. HAMPTON AVE.

N. MAIN ST.

W. HAMPTON

W. CALHOUN

W. HAMPTON AVE

8.

HASEL ST.

4.

THURSDAY • MARCH 23

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

1-4 p.m.

Firebringer: All Ages Version Sumter High School Drama Room Theatre

7 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

FRIDAY • MARCH 24

Concert in the Park, featuring Band of Oz Swan Lake Iris Gardens

6 p.m.

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

1-4 p.m.

Firebringer: All Ages Version Sumter High School Drama Room Theatre

7 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

SATURDAY • MARCH 25

Walk of Art Historic Downtown Sumter

4-7 p.m.

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Firebringer: All Ages Version Sumter High School Drama Room Theatre

7 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

SUNDAY • MARCH 26

Inspired by Millican: The Life and Legacy of Arthenia J. Bates Millican Sumter County Museum

2 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

3 p.m.

THURSDAY • MARCH 30

Gallery After Hours Sumter County Gallery of Art

6:30 p.m.

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

1-4 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

FRIDAY • MARCH

Praise Fest Gospel Celebration 2023 Patriot Hall

7 p.m

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

1-4 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

SATURDAY • APRIL 1

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center Temple Sinai Jewish History Center

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

7 p.m.

SUNDAY • APRIL 2

Into the Woods Musical Sumter Little Theatre

3 p.m.

The Band of Oz is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast and continues to get the very best reviews from the top people in the entertainment business. The band now features a

full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group. They perform at well over 200 shows per year all across the Carolinas Virginia, and Georgia. Thank you for supporting the Ackerman Legacy

When and where

Date and time

Friday, March 24, 6-9 p.m.

Location

Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150

Foundation and Inspire! Festival. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Limited capacity. Free parking. Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite.

Here for Life

Primary Care

Eagerton Family Practice

Robert S. Eagerton, MD

Carmen Roberts, DO

Amber P. Newman, NP

200 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0439

McLeod Primary Care Clarendon

Lisa E. Heichberger, MD / Laine Way, MD

Susan Caulkins, FNP / Susanne Johnson, FNP

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 3

Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-8828

Palmetto Adult Medicine Sumter

Harry A. Jordan, Jr., MD

Ansel R. McFaddin, MD

Andrew J. Reynolds, MD

Hugh T. Stoddard, Jr., MD

Katherine S. Coffey, PA-C

James R. McMahon, FNP

Emily J. Miller, PA-C

1295 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 905-6800

McLeod Primary Care Turbeville

Michael O. Ouzts, DO / Abbie Kirby, PA-C

Amanda McConnell, PA-C

944 Smith Street, Turbeville, SC 29162 (843) 659-2114

McLeod Family Medicine Kingstree

Andrew Gulledge, FNP

Raina McKenzie, PA-C

1200 North Longstreet Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 (843) 355-5459

Cardiology

McLeod Cardiology Associates

Ryan C. Garbalosa, DO

Prabal Guha, MD / Dennis Lang, DO

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 883-5171

Manning Clinic: 21 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102

Obstetrics and Gynecology

McLeod Women’s Care Clarendon

Monica Ploetzke, MD / Thomas C. Key, MD

Katee L. Wyant, MD / Tom Chappell, CNM

Allison Saran, CNM, WHNP

Rebecca Cartledge, APRN, CNM

Shaquinda Dowdle, DNP, APRN, CNM

22 Bozard Street, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0797

Orthopedics

McLeod Orthopaedics Associates

Rodney K. Alan, MD / Chaz McDonald, NP

Scarlett Manchin, NP

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7900

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 6, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-3065

Surgery

McLeod Surgery Clarendon

Devonne D. Barrineau, MD

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 4, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-2822

Urology

McLeod Urology Associates Sumter

Michelle B. Miller, NP

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 340-5100

Vascular

McLeod Vascular Associates

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7043

Firebringer

The Sumter High Theater Department presents the musical "Firebringer: All Ages Version"

Firebringer is a new Stone Age Musical by Starkid Productions about a primitive tribe discovering fire and transforming their lives for good and bad. In the end, they must come together to survive. Directed by Kelly Melton.

When and where

Date and time

March 23-25, 7 p.m.

Location

Sumter High School Drama Room Theatre

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For advance tickets, call (803) 840-2348.

tickets, Into The Woods

Event details

When: Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m.

Where: Sumter Little Theatre

Admission: Tickets are $20-25

Thisproductionisnotappropriatefor childrenunder10.

“Be careful what you wish for” seems to be the ongoing theme in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapineʼs Brothers Grimm-inspired musical, Into the Woods. The story follows the baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to go the Kingʼs Festival and Jack who wishes his cow would give some milk. When the baker and his wife are visited by the neighborhood witch, who reveals to them that she placed a curse on their family, the two set off on a journey into the woods to reverse the curse. Also in the woods, we meet Little Red, who is trying to visit her grandmother, the wolf who loves tasty little girls, the witchʼs daughter Rapunzel and the princes chasing after their loves. By the end of Act I, everyone has gotten their wish and will seemingly live happily ever after. But in Act II, when Jackʼs beanstalk brings them a visit from an angry giant, we see how the consequences of their actions haunt them in disastrous ways. The community must come together to save each other and their kingdom, but sacrifices must be made.

Praise Fest Gospel

Celebration 2023

Bringing people together from all denominations and walks of life to worship and enjoy the presence of God! Eight different acts coming to one stage, featuring Doc Mckenzie And The Hi-Lites, Roy and the Revelation, Sonny Brown and the Xperience, The Fabulous Singing Angels, Lee Burgess, Resurrection, Justified, The New Boyz, Elija Bradford and more.

When and where

Date and time

Friday, March 31, 7 p.m.

Location

Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St., Sumter, SC 29150

The Life and Legacy of

Arthenia J. Bates Millican

Nikky Finney – Keynote speaker

accomplished author, poet, humanitarian and teacher who was internationally acclaimed for her writings and depictions of the lives of rural African South.

Tickets

$20 per person.

When and where

Date and time

Sunday March 26, 2:00pm

Location Sumter County Museum

Location: 14 Mood Ave., Sumter, SC 29150

Tickets: Plays: $20 adults, $15 students/ seniors/military

Musicals: $25 adults, $20 students/seniors/ military

Youth Production: $15 adults, $10 students/ seniors/military

More information: (803) 775-2150 www.sumterlittletheatre.com

The CART Fund

Founded in 1986 by Roger Ackerman, The CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimerʼs Research Trust) is a nonprofit grassroots organization that provides “seed” money for cutting edge, high- impact research grants to help find a treatment or cure for Alzheimerʼs Disease.

Roger passed away in 2018, yet to this day, we still adhere to our founderʼs initial mission – that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to research! Since 1999, 64 grants totaling more than $11 million have been awarded to 62 recognized research institutions in the United States.

The CART Fund is a 501(C)3 organization (Federal ID #31-1466051) governed by an xecutive committee and board of directors composed of representatives from qualified Rotary districts that support the program. CART is chartered as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the state of South Carolina.

Sumter Little Theatre is a community theater featuring local thespians who come together to produce thought-provoking, emotionally charged productions with a dash of comedy throughout.

CART has been recognized as an “angel charity” by the S.C. Secretary of State for being “extremely effective at giving a high percentage of their total expenditures directly to programs for their designated cause, their compliance with the S.C. Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act and their high use of volunteers in their fundraising efforts.

”While primarily supported by members of Rotary Clubs in the United States, CART has an active volunteer base and can accept donations of major gifts, bequests or volunteer efforts from anyone. A new donor recognition program was recently introduced, allowing 'recurring donors' through the online system to be designated as members of the 'Roger Ackerman Circle'."

The Sumter County Gallery of Art is a nonprofit whose mission is to present and promote the visual arts and provide art education opportunities to Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. Housed in a renovated state-of-the-art facility next to Patriot Hall, it features rotating shows of both traditional and contemporary art by local, regional and nationally recognized artists. Its three formal exhibition galleries are considered by many in the South Carolina arts community as one of the best exhibition spaces in the state.

In 1969, the 4-year-old Sumter Artists Guild decided to open a local gallery to showcase their work and host other artists. After first being housed in the old Carnegie Library on Liberty Street, with the school district agreeing to lease the building for $1 a year, the gallery moved to an Antebellum Greek revival-style home on North Main Street in 1977. The builderʼs granddaughter, Elizabeth White, became one of Sumterʼs most talented artists and gained national and international recognition. She requested her home be used to promote the arts to the public after her death. The house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, remained the galleryʼs home for 26 years.

When the county renovated the former Edmunds High School into a performing arts center, in Patriot Hall, it was suggested the science wing become the galleryʼs new home. Its current doors opened in 2003.

Free group tours are available by reservation, and there are catered, opening receptions for all exhibitions. A gift shop is filled with unique items and works of art made by local and regional artists.

Hours

Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location

200 Hasel St., Sumter SC 29150

Freeparking

More information

(803) 775-0543

www.sumtergallery.com

Admission

Free during the Inspire! Festival

Explore the halls of the gallery and experience some of the most exquisite contemporary art in the nation.

FREE ADMISSION DURING THE INSPIRE! FESTIVAL

The Sumter County Museum is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote the history of Old Sumter District while providing historical and modern educational programming. The museum and its partnering organization, Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, both present a variety of programs throughout the year. The museum features a 1916 historic home, exhibits related to Sumter County, an interactive 1750-1850 homestead and the beautiful Martha Brice Gardens.

Be an archeologist and dig for Sumter County treasures in the permanent history exhibit, learn about Sumterʼs namesake, Gen. Thomas Sumter, and wander through structures from the 1800s to discover what life was like in this part of the state at that time.

The Jewish History Center which Roger Ackerman spearheaded, its establishment, has presented exhibits such as the Anne Centerʼs two-person play titled “Letters from Anne and Martin,” which imagined a correspondence between Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. The accompanying exhibit featured more than 70 seldom-seen photographs from the Frank family.

The center offers tours for visiting students for fifth grade and up. Tours can also be tailored to specific ages and interests. Permanent exhibits include an introduction to Jewish traditions, the exploration of Jewish immigrants, stories from Sumter residents, lessons from the Holocaust and oral histories.

Sumterʼs only synagogue, opened in 1913, has seen its congregation dwindle, so Ackerman and Jay Schwartz decided to act. When opened in June 2018, the exhibits represented the only Holocaust museum not only in the Palmetto State but between Atlanta and Richmond.

There is always something exciting to see and experience at both venues, including art exhibitions, chamber music, readings, book signings and historical programs.

Location Museum: 122 N. Washington St., Sumter SC 29150

History Center: 13 Church St., Sumter SC 29150

Free parking

Hours

Museum: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

History Center: Thursday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Admission

Museum: $5 adults, $2 students and seniors, free for 5 and under and museum members

Both Museum and History Center: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors and free for 5 and under and museum members. *Combo tickets are good for one week.

More information

Purchase tickets at either location. To schedule a tour outside of regular hours or for large groups, call Diana Roof at (803) 468-8630 or email

temple@sumtercountymuseum.org. (803) 775-0908

www.sumtercountymuseum.org

FREE ADMISSION DURING INSPIRE! FESTIVAL

Exhibit from the Anne Frank Center

This exhibit is based on three collections from the archives of the Anne Frank Center, including eight original lithographs by Henri Pieck drawn during his internment in Buchenwald concentration camp, 12 linoleum and woodcut prints by Marie de Zaaijer depicting the remembrances, suffering and hardship endured by Holland, and eight original propaganda posters distributed by the Nazi-controlled Dutch government.

Location: Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, 15 Church St.

Dates: Thursdays and Fridays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tickets/RSVP: sumtercountymuseum.org

You'll be swept away and enlightened by worldrenowned artists in historic Downtown Sumter.

Artwork by Sumter artists will soon be installed at about 20 stops in historic downtown Sumter for the public to enjoy. Artists will be on site, painting, sculpting, drawing and more, showcasing their work.

A selection of beer, wine and food will be available at each stop.

The event starts at 4 p.m. at Sumter Original Brewery. Check-in is at the same location.

Advance tickets are $30.

The price increases at the door to $40 ($35 for military). If you are an artist participating in the event, your

SHOWCASING SOME OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S FINEST ARTISTS IN ONE EVENT

tickets will be discounted at check-in. Discounted tickets at check-in for nonalcohol drinkers, too.

The Inspire! Festival was created to honor the life and legacy of Roger Ackerman. Roger practiced service above self for many years as a Rotarian, philanthropist, humanitarian and supporter of the arts. Roger was an inspiration to us all, hence the name of the festival, Inspire! The festival supports the Coins for Alzheimerʼs Research Trust (CART), Sumter Little Theatre, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter County Museum and the fine arts programs in our local schools.

Check-in: Sumter Original Brewery, 2 S. Main St.

When/Where:

Saturday, March 25, 4-7 p.m.

Sumter Original Brewery, 2 S. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150

Tickets: Advance tickets are $30. The price increases at the door to $40 ($35 for military).

Artists

Artists participating:

• Deane Ackerman

• Constance Brennan

• Linda & David Brown

• Christina Brownlow

• Rick Brownlow

• Carolita Cantrell

• Russell Harvin

• Laura and Olivia

Cardello

• John Collins

• John Cotner

• Amanda Cox

• Carolina Cromer

• John Dingle

• Erin and Mark Duffie

• Donny Floyd

• Lisa Gibson

• Kevin Jarvis / Green Swamp Collective

• Jazmyne Greene

• Jane Hray

• Mary-Katharine Hulme

• Sarah Jones

• Trisha King

• Kimberly Land

• Sera Latterell

Sumter-area schools participating:

• Alice Drive Elementary School

SaraSnyder

• Alice Drive Middle School

Dr.MarinaMosneaguta

• Cherryvale Elementary School

MicahJenkins

• Chestnut Oaks Middle School

MagonPedroza

• Crestwood High School

AlecHarding

• Crestwood High School

NicoleBowman

• Crosswell Drive Elementary School

DeborahBurkett

• First Presbyterian Church Preschool

MarianCarnes

• Furman Middle School

MorrisWynn

• High Hills Elementary School

JasmineCarter

• Hillcrest Middle School

MorganWells

• Kingsbury Elementary School

AshleyStancil

• Lakewood High School

ElizabethStolfa

• Lakewood High School

MicheleCollins

• Lakewood High School

AmandaStockard

• Lemira Elementary School

SamanthaSmith

• Manchester Elementary School

Dr.RosettaDavis

• Jesse McCoy

• Terry Newman

• Tori Lesense / Palmetto Metal Designs

• Lydia Sera

• Michael Hodge / Sip & Gogh

• Kerry Strathman

• Veralucia Thompson

• Alexandria Trapp

• USC Sumter Swan Con

• Millwood Elementary School

JaydalynLubin

• Oakland Primary School

JeanmarieMcBride

• Shaw Heights Elementary School

StephanieNix

• Sumter High School

HeidiAdler

• Sumter High School

CylisaQuarles

• Sumter High School

DeanaRennick

• Sumter High School

KristenBoegner

• Sumter High School

Dr.TerriMongomery

• Sumter High School

LillianHatfield

• Sumter High School

EricBurress

• Sumter High School Quartet

ErikHines

• Wilder Elementary School

KristenSill

• Willow Drive Elementary School

GraceGaulke

• Wilson Hall School

TaraSchumaker

• Wilson Hall School

RachelBrown

• Wilson Hall School

ReneeNorton

Listening. It’s where all progress begins. Committed people putting their ears in the right places to learn what our region needs most.

Then comes the leveraging of data, networks and alliances for maximum philanthropic impact. This is Sumter Community Foundation. This is investing for impact.

Since 1999, Sumter Community Foundation has awarded more than $220,000 in grants to Sumter nonprofits helping to improve the quality of life of Sumter County residents.

Sponsors

• Miss Libby's School of Dance & Gymnastics

• Wendy Felder

• Simpson's Hardware & Sports

• Bryan and Shawna Hilferty

Part Walk of Art feature, part Inspire! Festival recap. We spoke to Heather Tickel, the executive board director of the event, about what it means to have an arts festival of this caliber in Sumter, and what the process was like organizing it.

Sumter Today is presented by the Sumter Opera House, University of South Carolina Sumter and Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

The Sumter County Gallery of Art turned into a jazz hall on April 1, 2022, as part of the Inspire! Festival's 2022 lineup. Queen as Queen City Jazz featuring Nicci Canada grooved with adults who filled the hall. Attendees could take a break from watching the band while still hearing them

as they perused the two exhibits at the art gallery, Wilfred Spoon's "Quiet Ground" and Micah Green's "Hands On, The South." The event was part of Sumter's Inspire! Festival, an 11-day celebration of art, music, food, history and theater.

ESSENTIALLY LOCAL. AUTHENTICALLY SUMTER.

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