SunTrust Bank Makes Grant to Arts Education in Spartanburg

SPARTANBURG, SC – SunTrust Bank of Spartanburg made celebrating Youth Art Month (March) at Chapman Cultural Center a huge success by donating $3,500 towards the Center’s “Advantage: Arts Education” program. The month was highlighted by having hundreds of pieces of artwork all created by the students in all Spartanburg County School Districts and private schools on exhibit.

Pictured is Annual Fund Director Karen Parrott, Chapman President Jennifer Evins, and SunTrust’s City President Kimberly Jolley.

On Tuesday, March 17, all students and their families were honored with a reception that was hosted by Spartanburg School District 1. In total, the Center estimates that more than 10,000 people saw the works of art that were produced by students in kindergarten through high school.

Capping off the month-long recognition, the Districts’ Art Coordinators were honored with a luncheon in the gallery of Spartanburg Art Museum. In addition to the schools’ staff, the luncheon was attended by Chapman President Jennifer Evins, Arts Education Director Ava Hughes, Annual Fund Director Karen Parrott, SunTrust’s City President Kimberly Jolley, and SunTrust’s Assistant Vice President Aprill Gardner.

Throughout the year, Chapman Cultural Center has monthly student art exhibits, featuring specific schools and youth organizations. Furthermore, for more than 40 years Hughes has placed professional artists in the schools for workshops and residences, augmenting and enhancing the schools’ own arts programs giving all children an advantage to succeed.