An Orangeburg County initiative celebrating 25 years of creating community inclusivity and character development recently kicked off a mural project designed to reflect the county’s diverse culture and history.
The Orangeburg County Community of Character kicked off its “Walls That Speak” mural project on Sept. 30 at the 1561 Event Studio in downtown …
The Orangeburg County Community of Character announced the new project, “Walls That Speak,” at 1561 Event Studio in downtown Orangeburg on Sept. 30.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to help revitalize and beautify downtown Orangeburg,” OCCOC Executive Director Candace Berry-Vaughn said.
Columbia muralist I’ja Charles, center, speaks with a community member during the kickoff of the Orangeburg County Community of Character’s “W…
She said the project is slated to begin in mid-October and be completed in February of 2025.
“When we’re finally done, we’re going to have a big street party right out here for the final unveiling. We will incorporate all of the arts when it comes time for that. It’ll be a big fun street festival,” Berry-Vaughn said.
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“We are going to paint and involve you the community. Follow us on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OCCoCharacter/) and on our website (https://orangeburgcharacter.org/) . We’ll be announcing it in the paper. There will be dedicated paint days for you to come by and paint,” she said.
The executive director introduced Columbia muralist I’ja Charles as the artist who will complete the mural with the help of the community.
“We’re also doing projects to incorporate the schools. The students can come and participate, but any day you come by and see her on a ladder, just come on up and grab a brush. That’s how this is going to work,” Berry-Vaughn said.
Charles said, “This mural is something that I’m actually very excited about, actually involving the youth, people who are in college, people who don’t have anybody who does this type of career path.”
The artist said she looks forward to allowing the community to “put their mark on the building themselves and teaching them how to paint with me while letting them know my story.”
“Whatever they want to know, I’m just going to be an open book because bleeding into our future allows our paths to continue to live and be a better version of itself. I’m definitely grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
The mural will be painted on the side of the 1561 Event Studio located at 1561 Russell St. in Orangeburg. The initiative is a result of a partnership with the building’s owner, Orangeburg businesswoman Jennifer Murph-Chapman. The project is also supported by a Connected Communities Grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation.
“I thought a mural would really bring a lot of life downtown,” Murph-Chapman said.
She said the OCCOC had been in existence almost as long as she has been in business and that the program’s longevity was noteworthy.
“I’ve been in business for over 30 years. So those numbers mean a lot,” Murph-Chapman said, noting that the OCCOC’s “uplifting” mission was being carried forth through is mural project.
“I think murals are very uplifting. I think it gives life. Someday you may feel down and you ride through downtown and see something bright and interesting. It can lift your spirits a lot,” she said.
Orangeburg resident Elizabeth Mosely-Hawkins said, “I’m excited about having something to show who Orangeburg County is, something that reflects the citizens of Orangeburg, maybe even the possibility of seeing something visual that reflects our future.”
She continued, “Given all that is coming to Orangeburg, this is just another step in the right direction to have a vibrant visual representation of who we are as a community. I hope it inspires people to continue to want more for Orangeburg County.”
Claflin University sophomore Sajatta Williams volunteers with the OCCOC. The 19-year-old said the mural project is a chance get the entire community involved.
Williams said the OCCOC’s 25th anniversary also commendable.
“I think it’s an amazing thing. We really need to get out and support the community of Orangeburg better, especially with getting the college students involved. Even if we’re not from Orangeburg, we can come together and help Orangeburg. I’m from Spartanburg, but I might stay here after I graduate. I never know,” she said.
Orangeburg resident Linda Foster said the OCCOC’s mission was needed “in the condescending world that we live in.”
“Character is very important. It needs to continue. I see where the program’s headed even though they’ve had maybe a couple of new directors over the years. I think Ms. Vaughn has really taken it to another level, too,” Foster said.
She continued, “The arts really give people a chance to be creative and to speak their real selves and just bring out good character, too.”
Berry-Vaughn said, “There will be two murals going up downtown. It also will be a community-driven project. So when you’re tired of painting at one place, just come on down one block, and you’ll have an opportunity to paint on another mural project.”
The OCCOC’s other mural project is underway in downtown Orangeburg through the Uniting Orangeburg Through Art Initiative. The mural will be placed in the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association’s park located at the intersection of Middleton and Russell Streets.
Berry-Vaughn said, “”We’ll be doing some livestreaming, we’ll be doing Facebook (posts), some Zoom projects for people to come and participate in, as well. We know not everybody can always come out.
“We’re going to have a contest for the children. Once we put it together, we’re going to take it to the schools to have art projects. We’re going to allow them to come up with their own interpretation of what this means. Then we’ll have little contests and allow the kids to express their artistic talent, as well,” she said.
OCCOC board chairman Dr. Isaiah McGee said, “I’ve always seen Community of Character as a central instrument of helping make Orangeburg a better place overall. It’s one of the organizations that we can wrap ourselves around and say we have a common theme.”
Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow “Good News with Gleaton” on Twitter at @DionneTandD
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