Featured Downtown Events
Experience Downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina
In this unique Southern, South Carolina city, creative energy and progressive growth blend with historic small-town charm. Visitors can enjoy restaurants that specialize in local and international cuisines and find that perfect souvenir or hard-to-find gift in a variety of specialty retail stores. Within the 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride, you may visit three major cultural centers, three public parks, a recreational trail and over 20 sculptures and fountains.
Morgan Square, the heart of the city's downtown and home to the statue of Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan, offers free Wi-Fi and newly installed public art. Enjoy the landscaped setting with fountains and relax on a decorative marble bench while you decide what to explore next during your visit.
Virtual Tour of Downtown
Take a look around downtown Spartanburg, SC on this virtual tour. Explore the art, fountains, events and people of downtown.
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Member Spotlight
West Main Artists Co-Operative is a non-profit under the Spartanburg County Foundation and is seeking patronage and support from the citizens of Spartanburg. Donations can be made to the Spartanburg County Foundation for West Main Artists Co-Operative.
It's founder, Howard Solomon was born and raised in East Texas. He completed 29-years of service as a pilot in the United States Air Force in 2000 and went back to school to pursue the arts. He got his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of West Florida in 2005 and a Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Printmaking from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2009.
Howard moved to Spartanburg two years ago to be with his partner, Teresa Prater, the Chair of the Department of Art and Design and Professor of Studio Art at Converse College. Howard wanted to join an art co-op but there wasn't any in Spartanburg so he looked for a place to start one. He purchased the old West Main Baptist Church building located at 578 West Main and started the West Main Artists Co-Op.
Currently, 36 artists working in all media including ceramics, jewelry, painting, printmaking, glass making, woodworking and music rent studios at the co-op. Studio rentals include exhibition space and multiple joint use space such as ceramics and printmaking. There will soon also be second-tier members at the co-op that rent only exhibition space.
A retail store open to the public is opening in May. The sanctuary may be rented and will be used for performances and other events. There is an educational outreach program with Converse, Wofford and USC Upstate to integrate art students into a professional environment. Graduate students seeking internships are invited to participate in the co-op.
