Eye of the Beholder: Year in review of Charleston’s public art in 2019 – Charleston Gazette-Mail

Public art has been part of Charlestons rich history and culture for decades. Monumental sculptures in the city date back to the 1920s. Today we are experiencing a surge of public art activity that is transforming our city.

In 2017, the Office of Public Art was established to educate, conserve and create new works in public spaces. To date, the office has since been instrumental in the installation of more than 65 new pieces of public art.

In 2018, investment in the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center included an opportunity to establish a Public Art program. The City of Charlestons Office of Public Art acquired over 25 new pieces, including several large-scale sculptures that define the new space.

In 2019 this momentum continued, as 25 artists were commissioned to create 32 new works of public art. These pieces were diverse and gave new understanding of the impact that public art can make. While many murals were completed, parade pieces, art centered events, major conservation efforts and education made 2019 a truly unforgettable year for public art.

These are a few of the projects that highlight public art in Charleston in 2019:

Partners: Office of Public Art, Briar Hills Garden Club and Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

Deep Roots Long Reach is a kinetic sculpture that was designed specifically for Charleston taking inspiration from the trees. Trees simultaneously reach into the earth and the sky, artist Harry McDaniel said. If they could speak, some could tell us of the early days of Charleston.

Artists: Rob Cleland, Jeff Pierson, Amanda Jane Miller, Staci Leech, Debra Rayhill, Kayleigh Phillips, Mallory Burka and Blake Wheeler

Eight artists designed site-specific pieces meant to integrate with their environment. These pieces become part of the Charlestons landscape as part of the Citys Team Up to Clean Up event.

Designers: Jeff Pierson and Jack OHearn

Partners: Office of Public Art, Charleston Main Streets, Sherwin Williams and the Red Carpet Lounge

Over 30 artists and volunteers came together to create a community mural on Charlestons East End. The piece featured colorful circles and showcased the East Ends vibrancy and community pride.

The Brawley Walkway Pop Up Mural Project

Artists: Luke Atkinson and Carlos Culbertson

Partners: Office of Public Art and CURA

Along Brawley Walkway, windows were transformed by Carlos Culberston and Luke Atkinson, who created two dynamic new murals.

Partners: Office of Public Art, South Hills Neighborhood Association and City National Bank

A sprawling mural located on the side of City National Bank depicts everyday life with wild colorful designs.

Project Title: The Dreamer

Partners: Office of Public Art; Dewayne Duncan, Bradley Harris, Paula Flaherty; Charleston Main Streets

The two red doorway awnings on Gardners Dry Cleaners create a red bench. As a working man eating his lunch daydreams, birds and pattern work become more and more colorful, wrapping around a second facade on the building.

Glow in the Park/Zoeys Butterfly

Partners: Office of Public Art and FestivALL

During the Makeshop Appalachia program, through the Charleston Boys and Girls Club and MESH design, Zoey, 12, created a design concept for a butterfly sculpture that glowed. The Office of Public Art worked with Zoey to make the sculpture a reality. Glow in the Park brought members of the community to Magic Island for a night of face painting, family art activities and the unveiling of Zoeys sculpture.

The Wonder Conservation Project

Partners: Office of Public Art, WTSQ and John and Tighe Bullock

Since its creation in 2016, the Wonder Mural has become an icon for public art and a symbol of the revitalization of the Elk City. Due to a water leak, the mural was damaged and the artist recreated the lower third of the mural adding new characters to his already colorful piece.

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Eye of the Beholder: Year in review of Charleston's public art in 2019 - Charleston Gazette-Mail