The year 2022 is of great significance to the Anderson Arts Center as it celebrates its 50th year of providing cultural experiences to the community. The Arts Center was established in 1972 with the vision and backing of local philanthropist Callie Stringer Rainey.  Known then as the Anderson County Arts Council, it met at Anderson College and made its permanent home in a Carnegie Library on Main Street that was built in 1908. There, the Anderson Arts Center thrived, increasing its arts programming for 34 years until it was bursting at the seams.

 

Foreseeing the need of a much larger space, the Anderson Arts Center began making efforts to acquire and renovate an adjacent P&N Railway Warehouse. In January of 2006, the 33,000-square-foot Anderson Arts Center Warehouse was opened significantly changing the cultural landscape of the area and providing new opportunities to the community.

 

The renovated Arts Warehouse offers ADA-compliant classrooms, exhibit space, office and retail space allowing the Anderson Arts Center to open the arts to thousands of people in the state.

 

Two 2500-square-foot galleries provide a large space for art exhibits. A new exhibit is on display every six weeks or so. The smaller Atrium Gallery is utilized for additional exhibit space as well allowing the Arts Center to hosts approximately 12 different exhibits each year.

 

Arts education is a high priority for the non-profit organization, and classes for youth and adults are offered. Additionally, the Arts Center provides outreach programming to underserved populations ensuring the accessibility of the arts to all.

 

The Arts Center has worked with the City, County and community to provide public art throughout the downtown area, and it hosts one of the longest running juried art shows in the state.

 

As the Arts Center enters its 50th year, it has set both financial and awareness goals. Events to engage the community are planned throughout the year, including the regularly scheduled exhibits. Visitors can anticipate an exciting March 4 Art Slam which will include an on-site, real-time creative competition, artisan market, and performing art as well.

 

The organization is also seeking to go into the next 50 years debt-free and is working to raise enough funds to pay off the renovation debt, which is just shy of $50,000. With an overall goal of $100,000, additional donations will help to establish a building fund for ongoing upkeep and continued improvements of the renovated warehouse. There is a special 50 Year Donation Drive page on their website with more information.

 

For more information on the events throughout the year, visit the Arts Center’s website, and follow their social media pages. If you would like to make a contribution toward the debt retirement or programming activities, you may do so online, by mail or in person. The website is www.AndersonArts.org; mailing address is 110 Federal Street, Anderson, SC 29625 or call 864-222-2787.

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WHO: Upcountry Fiber (a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric and West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperatives) and Anderson County

WHAT: Upcountry Fiber has been selected by Anderson County to bring high-speed fiber internet to key areas of the county that currently have little or no access to broadband. A study conducted by Palmetto Engineering identified need within the county for tens of thousands of unserved and underserved households which will benefit from bringing this critical utility to the areas of Anderson County. The combined projects will stretch more than 2,800 miles of fiber and the funding needed to complete is projected at $175 million at current material and labor costs.

Although the need has been apparent, the pandemic exposed critical needs that were exceptional in nature including e-learning, virtual medical care, and access to services via an internet connection that left some of Anderson County’s citizens without access to essential services through existing service providers.

WHEN: Friday, January 28th
11:00 a.m.
(To schedule interviews beforehand starting at 10 AM, contact Hughes Agency)

WHERE: The Civic Center of Anderson
3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Anderson, SC 29625

INTERVIEWS: Jim Lovinggood, President and CEO, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Jeff Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative
George Wyatt, CEO, Founder & Principal, Palmetto Engineering & Consulting
Mark Williamson, Chief Information Officer, Anderson County

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Upcountry Fiber For Anderson County
Amanda Long Mark Williamson
Hughes Agency Anderson County
864.275.9890 864.380.8965
AmandaL@hughes-agency.com mwilliamson@andersoncountysc.org

Melissa Slater
Hughes Agency
864.313.4681
MelissaS@hughes-agency.com

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As part of the Anderson International Festival German Fest, the Belton Area Museum Association (BAMA) invites everyone to enjoy an afternoon celebration of German culture and ingenuity.

 

On Sunday, January 23, from 3 – 5 pm at the historic Belton train depot, lots of activities and interesting interactive displays provide fun for the entire family.

 

The exhibit features ceramics, clocks, wood carvings, decorative steins, music, furniture, souvenirs, and interesting artifacts that typify the German culture.

 

Listen to a variety of famous German composers at the listening station, create a simple scherenschnitte cut out, learn some German folk dance steps, and revel in the variety of items on display in the exhibit.

 

After the opening celebration, the exhibit is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 am to 2 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to noon until April 2, 2022 in the North End Gallery.

 

All guests are encouraged to follow safety guidelines such as wearing protective masks and practicing social distancing.

 

Thanks to our sponsors the  City of Belton HTAX Fund and Anderson County, the exhibit and its opening are free to the public.

 

Special group tours can be arranged by contacting executive director Abigail Burden at 864-338-7400 or beltonmuseum@bellsouth.net.

 

In addition to the exhibit, several other activities are planned throughout the next few months.  In February, the BHP Drama Department will perform a theater-in-the-round production of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  This two-night limited engagement on February 24 and 25 will be held in the center section of the Belton depot. Admission will be $5.

 

On Thursday evening, March 24, the center section will be transformed into a German wunderbar beirhaus with amazing cuisine and drinks being served to all patrons.

This biennial fundraiser benefits the museum’s programming and sustainability projects.

Tickets are $30 each or two for $50. Ask BAMA board members for tickets or call 338-7400. Sponsorships are being sought now.

 

“We will be monitoring Anderson County Covid 19 numbers and CDC recommendations closely to determine if any of these planned programs will need to be canceled or postponed,” said Board of Director President J. E. Palmer.

 

Please check BAMA’s Facebook page for updated information.

 

The Belton Area Museum Association is a place where people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities can learn about and experience our area’s history and culture.  Museum admission is free.

 

“Come join us for all these wonderful activities showcasing the German culture!” said BAMA Executive Director Abigail Burden.

 

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