Paint 5 Points Public Art-Making Series Honors 100 Years of Five Points throughout Fall 2015

COLUMBIA, SC – As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Five Points is hosting Paint 5 Points — a public art-making series in the historic village neighborhood — throughout Fall 2015. Several of the Midlands’ most esteemed, established artists have been commissioned to create works of art during live, outdoor painting sessions, or in some cases give public demonstrations, with Five Points scenery, businesses and passersby as inspiration.

The list of participating artists reads like a “Who’s Who” of Midlands visual artists, from well-known muralist Blue Sky and cult favorite painters Ed Wimberly and Stephen Chesley, to acclaimed fiber artist Susan Lenz and landscape artist Mary Gilkerson. (See full list below.) Work by mixed-media artist Laurie McIntosh will be featured on the promotional poster for the event.

The community is encouraged to visit Five Points this fall to interact with the 10 participating Paint 5 Points artists, who will appear primarily throughout September and early October. As artists finalize schedules for their on-site work sessions, the Five Points Association will publicize dates and times via Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.

Completed works from the plein air event will be on sale during the Paint 5 Points Gala on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 during A Starry Night, the village’s annual holiday shopping-and-strolling event.

Paint 5 Points Artists, 2015

• Stephen Chesley, oil painter, Vista Studios
• Colin Dodd, oil and acrylic artist, professor at Midlands Technical College
• Jung-Mei Dodd, painter, contributor to local public art Palmetto Tree Project
• Jeff Donovan, painter and sculptor, represented by if ART Gallery
• Mary Gilkerson, landscape artist at EBCO studio in Five Points (above Oops!)
• Susan Lenz, acclaimed fiber and installation artist
• Laurie McIntosh, mixed media and graphic artist, Vista Studios
• Brian Rego, oil painter and University of South Carolina professor
• Blue Sky, famed local painter, muralist and installation artist
• Edward Wimberly, oil and canvas portrait artist and S.C. native

“Local art enthusiasts may remember that Paint 5 Points was hosted here once before, 10 years ago,” notes Amy Beth Franks, executive director of the Five Points Association. “Our board of directors and our merchants are passionate about supporting a vibrant arts and culture scene here in Columbia, and we were thrilled at the opportunity to bring back this popular event as part of Five Points’ Centennial celebration.”

To learn more about Paint 5 Points and the Five Points Association’s 100-year anniversary, visit the recently redesigned website at www.fivepointscolumbia.com.

About Five Points

Five Points has served as downtown Columbia, S.C.’s premier village neighborhood for shopping, dining, entertainment and personal services since 1915. Extending from the intersection of Santee, Harden and Devine Streets into the surrounding residential neighborhoods and the USC area, Five Points encompasses nearly 150 businesses, many of which are locally, independently owned. Five Points is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2015 with fresh community events, public initiatives and district enhancements. To learn more, visit http://fivepointscolumbia.com.

About the Five Points Association

The Five Points Association is a nonprofit organization whose principal task is ensuring that Five Points remains an integral and important part of the City of Columbia. The Association has accomplished many major infrastructure, development and beautification projects over the years. The Association hosts annual events, such as the Chili Cook-Off and St. Pat’s in Five Points, which continue to grow each year and entertain thousands of people within the City of Columbia, as well as visitors from around the state of South Carolina and beyond. To learn more, visit http://fivepointscolumbia.com/who-we-are