Greenville Center for Creative Arts honors Linda Quinn Furman
 with naming of historic cloth building

The Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA) has completed a $1M fundraising campaign to sustain operations and expand its impact—all in the name of a beloved member of the Greenville arts community. GCCA’s historic Cloth Building at 101 Abney Street will now be named the Linda Quinn Furman Building in honor of one of its founders.

This outpouring of support honors Linda—a dynamic artist, philanthropist, and wife of real estate developer Earle Furman—in a way that is close to her heart. Her family and friends surprised her with the announcement yesterday, when GCCA unveiled the new building signage.

“In fundraising campaigns, the most significant efforts are those aimed at naming opportunities for an institution’s major facilities. Naming the 30,000 square foot Cloth Building to honor Linda is most appropriate, and the funds raised will add significantly to the continued financial health and mission of GCCA,” said H. F. “Gally” Gallivan, III, a retired financial advisor and member of GCCA’s Development Committee. He, along with his wife, Fielding, and family joined dozens of others in support of this effort. “Through her early vision for and continuing leadership in GCCA, the organization is poised to thrive, and it thrills us to have participated. This is a gift not only to a life-long friend, but to our community. Just think what an art scene Greenville will be with continued access to professional training and a venue to showcase art at any level.”

The decision to launch the campaign came in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led the organization to re-evaluate priorities and craft a plan to expand into recently vacated space in what is now the Linda Quinn Furman Building. The goal is to create a new “front door” for the art center, along with additional studios, classrooms, and multi-use space. Funding from the campaign will be used toward this expansion project, as well as to support operating costs and strengthen reserves.

To mark this occasion and view the new building signage, a “drive-through” motorcade celebration at GCCA is planned for Linda and campaign supporters on September 22.

“We are amazed and overwhelmed by the generosity of these donors, who have not only supported our survival during the most challenging of times, but also laid a solid foundation to expand our efforts in meaningful ways,” explained Kim Fabian, GCCA’s Executive Director. “This accomplishment is a fitting tribute to the inspiration Linda has provided to us all. At its core, GCCA is about creating opportunities—opportunities to help children and adults express and expand their creativity; opportunities to fuel the local economy by providing low-cost studio space and a venue for local artists to showcase their work; and opportunities to provide inclusive access to the arts that might otherwise be unavailable. Following Linda’s example of strength and perseverance, we are inspired to take these opportunities to the next level.”

The campaign also has special meaning to the Furman family, especially to Linda’s daughter, Kate, artist and owner of Kate Furman Jewelry & Art. “More than five years ago, when my parents told me they were helping to establish an art center, I saw that they fully supported the career I chose. Not only did they believe in me being an artist, but they were willing to put their time, energy, and resources into creating a place that supported the arts for everyone,” she shared. “This successful campaign brings that support full circle. GCCA has played a vital role in my life, and I have seen it give so many people the jumpstart they needed, whether in career or personal growth.”

To further support the art center and honor Linda Quinn Furman, the organization has established The Lindy Fund for the Future of GCCA. Contributions can be made at www.artcentergreenville.org/donate or by calling 864-735-3948.

About GCCA

Founded by a dedicated group of local artists and philanthropists, the Greenville Center for Creative Arts opened in May 2015 as a community hub for the visual arts. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, its mission is to enrich the cultural fabric of the communities it serves through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. GCCA provides arts education to more than 900 people each year, as well as showcases local artists, and nurtures appreciation and enjoyment in the arts. It houses artists’ studios, an emerging artists’ fellowship, exhibitions, free community programs, and classes for all ages. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864-735-3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.