City Center Partnership announces plans for inspirational art installation in the Main Street District
June 2, 2020
City Center Partnership (CCP) announced a new art project called HOPE for Columbia that will be installed in the Main Street District to promote hope and positivity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are seeing messages of hope and positivity in our community,” says Matt Kennell, CEO & President of City Center Partnership, who is leading the project. My inspiration for the art installation was based on the LOVE letters that other cities have been using for a while now. I bounced my idea off Lee Snelgrove, Executive Director of One Columbia, and we decided that incorporating the image of the new City of Columbia flag would help further unify our City. The general values of good deeds and community are more important now than ever. This is an opportunity to brighten our Main Street District neighborhood.”
Artists Danny Harrington and Brandon McIver have been commissioned by CCP to create and install the piece at First Citizens Green space on Main Street. The art piece includes the HOPE letters and will display the Columbia Flag across them. According to Harrington, the vision for this project is to reflect hope for the future of Columbia where we all come together as we create a new normal that makes us better and stronger than we were before the pandemic. The artists are currently building and painting the letters in Town Theatre’s warehouse. Once they have the art completed, the installation of the letters is planned for some time in June.
Danny Harrington is the Technical Director for Town Theatre and does freelance design for other local theatre companies. His partner on this project, Brandon McIver, also provides freelance designs for local theaters and companies.
“First Citizens is honored to be a part of the Columbia for HOPE project,” said Sharon Bryant, Regional President of First Citizens Bank and CCP Vice Chairman. “We love the inspiration provided by the message, and we are proud to see the City of Columbia Flag colors incorporated into the display.”
“I am excited about the City Center Partnership’s new installation, which will boldly embody the spirit of our community,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “Just like the acre of wildflowers at the intersection of Main and Elmwood that will soon welcome everyone entering the City from the north and the west, this installation at the First Citizens Green space on Main Street will encourage a renewed sense of optimism and hope for all those in our city.”
The HOPE art piece will remain in the space until November, at which time a large decorative ball will be installed to celebrate the holidays.
About City Center Partnership
CCP is a non-profit organization that provides public space management, economic development, place management, marketing services, and public advocacy for the Main Street District in the 36-block area bounded by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly, and Marion Streets. The organization is funded by the property owners within the district boundaries.
