For the love of Art!
by: Gail Lang

Walking into the restored Victorian house in the historic Walterboro area fills you with a sense of wonder. Art lovers feel as if they are in heaven, surrounded by such an array of quality art. How could such a place exist? From where did this wonderland of art come?

The dream began in 1990. Mary Hunt of the Downtown Walterboro Development Corporation, Carole Mullis of the South Carolina Park Recreational and Tourist Department (SCPRT), and Denise Simmons, the Executive Director for Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce, shared a love and admiration of art. All three appreciated arts and crafts and all three realized that there was no single location that housed arts and crafts made by South Carolinians. Together they worked to nurture their dream, to build a showcase for Southern art, featuring the highest quality of South Carolina art. The dream wasn't only for the art, but also for the rich history behind the art. They knew that many earlier artworks, such as the sweetgrass baskets that have been in South Carolina for over three centuries, were in danger of being lost and forgotten. They recognized the importance of knowing the history behind the craft to appreciate the work. They wanted to share the history and uniqueness as well as the art. They knew they had to try to make this dream a reality.

For the project to succeed in the magnitude they envisioned, they had to prove there was support for creating a center for South Carolina art. Several hundred artists across the state indicated their desire and willingness to participate. Surveys of tourists and potential art buyers also indicated support. Would they visit the center? How important would the location be? Would they buy the goods and support the concept of learning as well as the admiration for art itself? YES! The responses were overwhelmingly positive. The center was not only their dream; people across the state supported the idea.

Mary, Denise and Carole combined their love of art with their sense of professionalism. Mary, working with the downtown development group, believed the center would help Walterboro to grow while still preserving its historic nature. Denise, with the Walterboro- Colleton Chamber of Commerce, saw the benefit to the whole county, and Carole, in her role in SCPRT, saw the benefit to South Carolina artists, citizens, and communities in general.

They began recruiting others to share their dream and vision for the future. The Department of Commerce, the Arts Commission, the Small Business Administration, the Lowcountry Resort & Tourist Commission joined them to form a well-balanced group of people who loved art and had the business knowledge and technical skills to make the dream happen.

The Artisans Center was formed as a non-profit organization. Numerous agencies donated money and awarded grants. The Small Business Center in Charleston helped formulate a good marketing plan. Numerous agencies began donating money and awarding grants. The Arts Commission gave a start-up grant, the SCPRT gave funding for more marketing, and SCANA provided the law firm that wrote the tax-exempt status.

A unique partnership was building across the state, but more was needed. The original plan was to set up the center in a large facility in downtown Walterboro, but over $330,000 was needed. The ladies began an extensive undertaking to obtain the necessary funds. The City of Walterboro helped to obtain a special community block development grant from the Governor's office to purchase the building that currently houses the Artisans Center. The local accommodation tax commission offered their support. The merchants in the downtown area of Walterboro contributed over $18,000. SCANA continued to be extremely supportive. Coastal Electric Co-op, Enterprise Bank, Wachovia Bank, First National Bank, the Bank of Walterboro, Piggly Wiggly, all of them offered full community support for each step of this project. It was amazing to see the wide variety of support from all across the state. Businesses, communities, government organizations, everyone worked together to make the dream a reality. Support came from all corners, all levels. Art lives in South Carolina. The South Carolinians saw to that!

It was truly wonderful that so many people in so many aspects of life joined together for this project. In return they have the knowledge that they made it happen, that they helped preserve a uniqueness of our state, that art would continue to flourish because of their commitment! Their dream became a reality!