2009 promises to be exciting for the arts

It’s been a stellar year in terms of growth for the Florence arts community. Heralded by the unveiling of the grand, state-of-the-art Florence Little Theatre on South Dargan Street, new developments have been forthcoming with welcomed regularity: a new performing arts facility, a bigger museum and the possibility of a dedicated arts trail have all made news in recent weeks.

When the curtain rose on FLT’s September opening spectacular, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the house was packed and stayed packed for each performance. What was happening was two-fold: not only were audience members treated to the most spectacular production in FLT history, but also they were given their first glimpse of the scope of local artistic possibilities. The excitement of seeing and experiencing the new theater seemed to provide a spark, and the spark is catching.

Consider the recent Art in the Windows exhibit — something largely unthinkable just a year or so ago. Who could have predicted that a few strategically placed lights and paintings could create such a dramatic transformation? For years, many of us looked upon those same spaces and felt despair. One inspiring spark was all it took for somebody to see the possibility for beauty, for something artistically riveting in the midst of a blight created by our own neglect.

The Art in the Windows project has given way to plans for a dedicated arts trail in Florence. Also in the works are plans for a more spacious, downtown home for the Florence Museum of Art, Science & History.

Florence, there’s every reason to anticipate more progress on the arts scene in 2009. Here’s a look at what some leaders in the arts community envision for the coming year:

-- For Florence Little Theatre, executive director Sue Schatz said she envisions the theater will become a popular venue for private events and more, with churches, civic groups and local agencies renting the theater for their functions. FLT board president Patsy Stone also cited an increase in workshops for students of all ages as a goal for the coming year.

-- Francis Marion University President Dr. Fred Carter and members of the performing arts center board are looking forward to the FMU Performing Arts Center groundbreaking in late January. Although a specific date hasn’t been set, Carter said he anticipates the groundbreaking will take place within the next two weeks. The construction will be steady through 2009, with a projected completion date of September 2010. In the meantime, there will be continued fundraising efforts to support the proposed programming and functioning of the center.

-- It seems that decisions regarding the future of the Florence Museum will be more firmly decided early in 2009. Florence County Council is set to vote soon on authorizing a match for the $3.9 million funding acquired by state Sen. Hugh Leatherman to either build a new museum or renovate existing space for it downtown. Either way, a bigger, better museum means a culturally richer community and more vibrant downtown.

-- Art in the Windows, which culminated Dec. 19, marked the first step in the quest to establish an arts trail in Florence. The first two phases of the project are designed to add additional buildings to the display effort and eventually provide a springboard for future gallery events. And there is already talk of new businesses, such as art galleries and coffee houses, on the horizon as a direct result of the current happenings.

It’s an exciting time to be an arts patron in Florence, especially since 2009 seems poised to outshine the remarkable accomplishments of 2008.
It’s our privilege and pleasure to keep you abreast of it all throughout the coming year.