Arts Community, Festivals, Back in Full Swing in 2023
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The arts community finally saw a return to a more normal year in 2023, following the challenging years and aftermath of the pandemic. Here is a brief sketch of some of the significant events.
The theater community brought two memorable and remarkable shows to Anderson County in 2023.
Mill Town Players' bold production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” featured Broadway-level sets and superior performances to the Pelzer Auditorium stage. Review here.
Market Theatre’s “Rent” made full use of their surround stage in their production of the musical which included wild energy and strong performances. Review here. (part of 2023-24 season)
Anderson Arts Center Director April Cameron left the role she has served since 2028 to serve as CEO of the Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce near Savannah, Ga. Kathy Moore, a long-time member of the Anderson arts community, was chosen the new executive director.
Meanwhile, a 12-foot-tall sculpture found a temporary home on the downtown green space behind the historic Anderson County Courthouse that once was home to the Bailes Building and Woolworth. The large bronze “Pegasus,” (the winged horse in Greek mythology, usually depicted as a white stallion) is part of the Millennium Pegasus work by sculptor Sandy Scott of Lander, Wyoming. The sculpture, with a wingspan of 14.5 feet, weighs 1.5 tons and comes to Anderson after a time on display in Denver. The installation is temporary and will likely be relocated to a permanent site within the next two-three years.
The Anderson Soirée returned for the second year of the festival’s revival and attracted big crowds, and dozens of artists and musical acts.
The Pendleton Spring Jubilee saw record crowds and perfect weather as it marked 47 years as one of the most widely recognized festivals on the East Coast.
Belton marked the 36th anniversary of the fall Standpipe Festival, with good crowds and one of the largest car shows in the festival’s history.
The Honea Path Sugarfoot Festival and Honey Soppin’ moved its annual event to the fall, and were rewarded with strong attendance and an energetic biscuit and honey eating contest.
Iva Depot Days and Car Show was greeted with good crowds, sunshine and a near-record number of cars.
The year ended with Anderson being chosen as one of 25 cities in North America to receive an arts grant aimed at revitalizing public spaces to better engage residents. Ground zero for the Anderson project is the corner of Tower Street and West Market Street, an area already planting seeds for an arts community downtown. The new project hopes to improve all facets of the area around that intersection. The Electric City Team - composed of City of Anderson Director of Strategic Projects Mary Haley Thompson, Electric City Transit Manager Keith Moody, Anderson Artist Shea Abramo, and Zoë Hale Hale, who serves as logistics and data coordinator – will begin working on building a public consensus and strategic vision for the $25,000 project in January. The final work is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2024.