Page 22 • Hampton Magazine • Information Please 2014 A heart for the arts Big city arts center in a small town


Michael M. DeWitt, Jr. Managing Editor


ing small town talent, this little Lowcountry town is home to an arts center worthy of any big city. Artists, actors, art lovers, students and


HAMPTON – Populated with surpris-


arts center for Hampton County and sur- rounding areas,” said Rob Harrelson, Execu- tive Director of the Hampton County Arts Council, not long after it was converted from a retail space to an arts center. “Our mission is to encourage artistic and educa- tional endeavors in every way we can, and with the completion of this center we can do some very exciting things.” The HCAC hopes to use the Stanley


pretty much anyone who supports the arts can enjoy the Palmetto Theater and the Stanley Cultural Arts Center on Lee Avenue, Hampton’s historic downtown strip. The Stanley Center is a much-needed and spacious addition that enhances and complements the historic facilities of the Palmetto Theater. “This building will be used as a cultural


Center for a wide variety of uses, such as rehearsal space for musicals and the choral society, classroom space for music, paint- ing, photography, creative writing, and fine arts academies and office and storage space. There have even been talks of creat- ing a retail space for local artists to promote their craft, and perhaps even a 100-seat black box performing arts theater or cin- ema.


sibility of exciting new educational op- portunities coming in the near future,” said Harrelson. “We want to offer students more opportunities in the fine arts arena.” The Stanley Arts Center has become a reality


“The Arts Council is pursing the pos-


Hampton County Legislative Delegation, a gift used to repair a crumbling, leaky roof and waterproof the facil- ity.


cil, the Hampton Friends of the Arts, was formed with the purpose of raising the money to renovate the build- ing and a fundraising campaign is ongoing. In June 2010 another generous gift arrived, in the form of a $70,000 check from Rep. Bill Bowers and the


through the generosity and labor of many in the com- munity, who raised money through grants, donations and fundraisers. A nonprofit arm of the Hampton County Arts Coun-


becoming a Friend of the Arts. There are five donation levels, from Friend to Benefactor, and you can also make donations in memory of someone to be put towards future renovations. Volunteers of any kind are also needed and appre-


ciated.


Have a heart for the arts? You can support the Arts Council and its efforts by


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