October 2019 Issue

Living Like Dandelions

If childhood had a flower all its own, I think it would be the dandelion. From the first time we’re plopped down onto a blanket on the lawn one happy spring day, dandelions appear at just the right height and brightness for a young, curious gaze. They nod and dance for us, invite us to touch and play, looking like a thousand round golden faces wearing lions’ manes and green scarves. My first memory of dandelions was as a grand yet intimate surprise. I could barely scramble around the backyard on my own, and there they were: plentiful, beautiful, bright, and mine for the gathering with no one to tell

Creating Joy | Handmade at 90

Aiken resident Grace Schiavone just turned 90 years old in August! That is an incredible milestone, but 90 is just a number as Grace has the drive and energy of a much younger woman. She has a very active lifestyle, but creativity and arts have touched her life. She enjoys several hobbies which keep her stimulated, focused and give her a purpose. She makes many handmade items, and she spends hours each day in her home workshop. She feels good about what she is doing and it is a great joy for her to create and share her talents with others. Recently Grace has created “Gracelets” by Grace. Gracelets are

My Priceless Gullah Heritage

It thrilled me to learn that Sunn m’Cheaux, an instructor of the African Language at Harvard University, is teaching the origin of his native tongue, Gullah. Since I was reared on Johns Island, South Carolina with the Gullah-speaking community, bringing this dying language back to life is truly a gift. I had the privilege of working with wonderful “Gullah speaking” folks who helped my father on our low country tomato farm. This poetic language is awesome, but it is the beautiful hearts of my “family” that pull me back like a high tide on a full moon. According to Sunn m’Cheaux, in an interview with the Harvard Gazette, “The Gullah

The Aiken Artist Guild Offers A New Venue For Their Members

Founded 52 years ago in 1967, the Aiken Artist Guild has a proud history of workshops, critiques, exhibitions and joyful sharing of ideas and encouragement. At the present time, the Guild has a total membership of 165. Members can display their artwork at community centers, restaurants, medical centers, and galleries. The Guild has its own dedicated gallery inside of the iconic Aiken Center For the Arts, which of course is located at 122 Laurens St SW in downtown Aiken. The annual event of Horses and Courses takes place during Masters Week. Guild members can display their work on the downtown sidewalks of Aiken, and can even elect to demonstrate their

Artist Spotlight | The Aiken Center for the Arts Presents: “Convergence: Three Women, Three Voices”

From September 19 through October 25, the Aiken Center for the Arts invites everyone to experience the new exhibitions in our art galleries. “Small Expressions”, an annual exhibition from the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., celebrates works from national and international artists, by exhibition only, in the Brooks Gallery through October 10. Aiken artist Ellene Southerland’s mixed-media work will be featured in the Aiken Artist Guild gallery. Collectively, Penny Beesley, Betty Brand Perry and Lucy Weigle will bring together three different approaches to abstract painting in a collaborative exhibition, “Convergence: Three Women, Three Voices.” This joint exhibition will give us all a chance to contemplate and experience new perspectives in

Ties to the Community | Rose Hill + Robert Campbell

In 1898, Colonel & Mrs. Sheffield Phelps commissioned the construction of their city block winter home (four houses and eight buildings) atop the high point of Downtown Aiken. The Dutch Colonial Shingle Style architecture of The Main House is a unique find in the Southeast. After the early death of Colonel Phelps, Mrs. Phelps made Rose Hill the permanent residence for herself and her children. Mrs. Phelps became an avid gardener and in 1930, she organized and hosted the first meeting of the Garden Club of South Carolina at Rose Hill. The structures and gardens sat untouched for several years until a wealthy gentleman from Dallas, Mr. Jones, came forward