One of the many benefits of attending Winthrop University, is the quick access one has to wonderful works of art being created by young, passionate artists.
There is a wide and exciting range of culture and entertainment just on campus. However, the university does not exist in a bubble, in fact it is part of a larger and vibrant community.
The town of Rock Hill and the surrounding York County offer many other outlets to receive a dose of arts and culture.
Research conducted by Americans for the Arts found that involvement with the arts showed higher GPAs in students, greater civic engagement and growth to local economies. With all this to gain, in addition to personal enjoyment, what reason is there not to support local artists?
Compiled here is a quick reference to some of the places to find arts in the area. Of course, personal exploration and discovery of more beyond this is always encouraged.
Culture & Heritage Museums
Under the York County Culture and Heritage Commission, this group of museums were merged together in 1997 to create a unified system of documenting and showcasing the rich past of the area.
The Museum of York County opened in 1950 as the Children’s Nature Museum of Rock Hill. Today they still show the natural wonders of the upstate with thousands of specimens on display and at your fingertips with the only Smithsonian style education center in South Carolina.
They also house the Settlemyre Planetarium which takes you far beyond the natural wonders of the Carolina Piedmont. Finish off your visit with the ¾ mile hike around the nature center and experience the local plants and animals in action.
The McCelvey Center is the historical site of the Yorkville Female Academy founded in 1852. This renovated school building displays collections of art, archives and historical objects related to the area.
The archive provided opportunities for genealogical and historical research and is home to the Southern Revolutionary War Institute. On site there is also the Lowry Family Theatre which is renowned for its acoustics. Regular concerts are held there as well as the annual Southern Sound Series.
Historic Brattonsville is the place to go to see history come to life. This 775 acre Revolutionary War site began as the Bratton family plantation and has been preserved and passed down through generations. Between historical reenactments, a working farm, tours of the over 30 still-standing historical sites or just the beautiful scenery, there is much to be learned and enjoyed from this land.
Details about how to plan a visit to any of these spaces is available on the Culture & Heritage Museums website.
Rock Hill Community Theatre
Continuing in a centuries old tradition, the Rock Hill Community Theatre aims to bring dramatics and dynamic storytelling onto a local stage. They regularly hold acting classes and workshops as well as improv shows.
Their 2018/2019 season is just beginning with the next show being Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap running from Sept.14-23. Be on the lookout for their future productions of “Annie”, “The Dixie Swim Club”, and “Bye Bye Birdie”.
Information on the upcoming season and where to buy tickets can be found on their website.
Arts Council of York County
In 1977 the Arts Council of York County set out with the mission to “Create arts programming that encourages education, economic development and arts advocacy through unique art experiences that engage the community to make York County a regional arts destination.”
Located in downtown Rock Hill, the Arts Council has several types of studios and galleries present in the historic Gettys Art Center building. Throughout the year they sponsor and host festivals, classes, showcases and many more events that encourage local art. Often the Arts Council partners with Winthrop University events to promote as much local art as possible.
An extensive calendar of all Arts Council events and details is available on their website.