Illustration by Owen Jones
Press Release
Public Works Art Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community art space occupying the former Town Post Office and Commissioners of Public Works Building at 135 West Richardson Avenue in Historic Downtown Summerville, is set to hold its Grand Opening on Thursday, October 15th.
A ribbon cutting sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will be held at 4 pm and the special “grand opening” event will be held between 5 pm – 8 pm. All are welcome to attend, and COVID-safe measures will be employed including required masks and hand sanitizing, amended building occupancy allowances and monitoring of attendance numbers, staggered invitation times for those individually invited, and outdoor features (including a musician, Brandon Lamar Simmons, and food truck, The Pita Stroller) to allow for social distancing.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by and celebrate the opening, learn about upcoming art classes, make a donation, shop the gift shop, and be part of the opening of three new shows, including the first annual SPARK Invitational Show, SPARK Community art show, and “American Traditional,” a show on the folk art of rug hooking.
Public Works Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community art space in the heart of the walkable historic district in Downtown Summerville, South Carolina. Encompassing over 11,000 square feet and significant outdoor space, the center contains 12 studio spaces for artists, three galleries, a large classroom, a children's classroom, a pottery shop, a print shop, a small
outdoor performance stage, and a gift shop featuring items made by local artisans. Public Works Art Center offers considerable opportunities to engage with and be a part of accessible art in the Lowcountry including renting studios, taking and teaching classes, exhibiting work, and more. The art center team was formed in 2018 and after significant renovations, the building opened partially in February. After a brief shutdown for COVID-19, Public Works Art Center opened again in June, and renovations were fully completed in September. Now, the art center is up and running with classes, exhibitions, exciting gift shop options, events, and more; follow Public Works Art Center on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with it all.
