Blackville is. . . was a community project using postcards with each having a printed statement: Blackville is . . . Another statement was also printed of where to hand deliver postcards which was either at City Hall or the local post office. A black metal mailbox labeled: Blackville is . . was located at each location. In the beginning, postcards were dropped off at local businesses, public and private schools, civic and governmental agencies. The community was encouraged to write up to three words to complete the phrase: Blackville is . . . Participants were also encouraged to create a work of art on the back of their postcard offering a visual narrative.
After two weeks, a committee was organized to select up to 40 postcards out of the 105 that were delivered. Postcards were selected based on family and community, racial inequality, celebration of cultural diversity, sports and hunting, agricultural economy of the past, civic and culinary delights, and lastly, hope. Selected statements were then made into stencils then painted on the sidewalk. The community was invited to paint each of the statements using a sponge and brush. This participatory event was intended to create an ongoing dialogue between members of the community about place, community, finding common ground and interests, while building new relationships.
Blackville is. . . was funded through a grant by the South Carolina Arts Commission The Art of Community: Rural SC. Additional support came from the USDA Office of Rural Development; Blackville Community Development Corporation; Blackville Mayor Michael L. Beasley and Blackville City Council. Special thanks to Maven, Evelyn Coker, who helped to spearhead, coordinate, and manage Blackville is . . . on so many levels.
