South Carolina Children’s Theatre welcomes Kelley Barnhardt as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
January 27, 2025
South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) announced the addition of Kelley Barnhardt as the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. Kelley officially joined the SCCT team on Monday, January 13, 2025, bringing…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission granted a record $18.5 million in FY24 through 721 awards
January 24, 2025
With final reports in, the South Carolina Arts Commission is announcing a record grantmaking investment in South Carolina artists (#SCArtists), arts organizations, and arts learning in the 2024 fiscal year.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
The Lost Art of Letter Writing
January 23, 2025
By Tom Poland When you write about earlier times as I often do, you hear from people who lived the very days you describe. Over the course of summer…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Announcing Season 100 at Greenville Theatre
January 22, 2025
“Greenville Theatre: 100 Years of Stories!” GT will be celebrating its past, present, and future through transformative stories, powerful music, and endless discoveries in Season 100. The themes being explored in…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Georgialina—A Southland As We Knew It
January 15, 2025
By Tom Poland In 2015, the University of South Carolina Press released my collection of memories on how things used to be. Here, then, is a trip down memory lane…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Waiting for You: A musical comedy created in the Upstate to premiere in the Upstate
January 14, 2025
Stop me if you heard this one (and you haven’t). Two men walk into Heaven and hilarity ensues. That’s the story behind “Waiting for You,” a new musical comedy created…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, music, on-the-move, the-arts
Simpsonville author’s book garners rave national review
January 9, 2025
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, a memoir by Liz Williams has received its first major editorial review. “A transformative exploration of faith, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal, offering readers a deeply relatable…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Fine Arts Center celebrates six students as YoungArts National Competition award winners
January 8, 2025The Fine Arts Center announced that six students have been honored as winners in the prestigious YoungArts National Competition. Six Fine Arts Center students were also selected last year for…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission announces four staff members
January 8, 2025
Artist development, arts industry and communications roles filled The South Carolina Arts Commission began 2025 with full teams serving artists and arts organizations and its communications needs after adding four…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
South Carolina Children’s Theatre announces Katie O’Kelly as new CEO
December 17, 2024
South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) announced the promotion of Katie O’Kelly to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. O’Kelly, who has served as the theatre’s Managing Director since 2022, steps into…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Walking Through Prairie With Philip Juras
December 12, 2024
By Tom Poland August 21, 6:15 p.m. Philip Juras and I are walking through remnant prairie. His mission is to paint a vestige of our lost Southland. Mine is…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, the-arts
Fallen Color
December 5, 2024
By Tom Poland And a Never-Forgotten Dog Can uprooted trees flaunt fall color? No. Dead men don’t talk and dead leaves don’t reveal colors. I figured it was impossible.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
We’re Soft & We Can’t Deny It
November 20, 2024
By Tom Poland Mama trembled when she talked about the Great Depression. I never forgot that. She’s gone and only the oldest survivors recall those hard times. Today’s full-plate…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village seeking volunteers for inaugural event
November 20, 2024
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village, a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of Greenville’s Kringle Holiday Village, is…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, food, hospitality, life, local-industry, music, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
Greenville Theatre presents the spectacular new Broadway musical, Anastasia
November 19, 2024
Greenville Theatre invites you to join us “Once upon a December,” as we journey to the past with the spectacular new Broadway musical, Anastasia. This regional premiere kicks off Thursday, December 5,…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, on-the-move, the-arts
Cassette Music Memories
November 12, 2024
By Tom Poland Last week my writer-daughter, Beth, wrote a story about her MTV years. She recalled the 1980s watching music videos. She wrote, “When my sister and I…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Holiday Classic ‘White Christmas’ celebrating 70th anniversary
November 11, 2024
Upcountry History Museum Exhibit Brings Timeless Story to Life With Original Costumes, Props and Memorabilia from 1954 Film It may not be “just like the ones we used to know,”…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, conversations, education, entertainment, hospitality, hotels, life, marketing-and-communications, media, military, music, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts, veterans
Fine Arts Center announces Artist-in-Residence program for 2024-2025
November 11, 2024
The Fine Arts Center announced its 2024-2025 Artist-in-Residence program. With support from the Peace Center, this initiative will bring world-class artists directly into the classroom, offering students the opportunity to…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
A Thin White Line
November 6, 2024
By Tom Poland CUMBERLAND SOUND, Fernandina Beach, Florida (Nov. 1, 2024): The catamaran motors by pelicans perched upon piers. It passes monstrous, red-orange contraptions that could be the Martian…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
The Last Pecan Pie
October 31, 2024
By Tom Poland When I heard Hurricane Helene destroyed some 42,000 pecan trees in Georgia, I thought of my mother and my last pecan pie, not the last…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities to host open door event for prospective students
October 31, 2024
The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public, residential high school for the arts in Greenville, is hosting its largest event of the year—Go Govie! Day—for families…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
A Spider Fit for Halloween
October 24, 2024
By Tom Poland Read no further if you suffer arachnophobia … How well I remember a night when we were under the lights scrimmaging. I can’t recall who we…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Fine Arts Center receives donation from Greenville MOD to explore architecture
October 21, 2024
Greenville MOD (gvIMOD), a local organization working to celebrate and preserve mid-century modern and contemporary architecture, is again making a difference in the lives of future architects through a $5,000…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Newest Exhibit at Upcountry History Museum explores path of Black History in the American West
October 21, 2024
Exploring the path of Black history in the American West with a timeline of original pictorial quilts is the focus of “Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West,” a first-of-its-kind…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: agriculture, banking-and-finance, chamber, churches, conversations, education, entrepreneurship, hospitality, hotels, life, marketing-and-communications, media, military, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts, veterans
From Sacred Earth—Catawba Pottery
October 17, 2024
By Tom Poland On a hot July Saturday I drove to the Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, South Carolina. First chance I got, I abandoned I-20 for U.S. 21.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Sponsorships available for inaugural Holiday Fair & Kringle Village
October 16, 2024
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Holiday Fair & Kringle Village, a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club of…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, food, local-industry, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, retail, social-scene, the-arts
Greenville County Museum of Art celebrates its 38th Antiques, Fine Art & Design Weekend
October 11, 2024
This year marks the 38th anniversary of Greenville County Museum of Art’s signature event – Antiques, Fine Art & Design Weekend presented by United Community. This three-day event takes place…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, on-the-move, the-arts
Vanilla Flavored Memories
October 10, 2024
By Tom Poland Springs creaking, Granddad’s maroon Ford rattles down Mom and Dad’s long dirt driveway. Washouts make for a rough ride but that doesn’t stop Granddad. Here he…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville Theatre presents Dial M for Murder
October 7, 2024
Greenville Theatre invites you to join in a spine-tingling murder mystery that will have you on the edge-of-your-seat until the very end! Dial M for Murder kicks off at Greenville Theatre on…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
A Month In Tokyo – Artist’s Reception and Photography Exhibition – Oct 12
October 2, 2024
ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 5, THIS EVENT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 12 Artist’s Reception and Photography Exhibition at Woodbine Studio & Gallery by Samuel Bogardus Greenville-based film photographer Samuel…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: on-the-move, the-arts
Greenville Symphony to offer free outdoor broadcast of opening concert at TD Stage Sunday, Oct. 6
October 2, 2024
Symphony taps into the healing power of music to bring outdoor concert experience to a recovering community The Greenville Symphony Orchestra announced there will be a free live outdoor broadcast…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts
South Carolina Children’s Theatre welcomes new board members to support growing mission
September 30, 2024
South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) announced the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors: Vicky Schmitz Hammond, David Crabb, Kathryn Owen Hix, Heath Beard, and LaVonda Paul.…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
Kaleidoscope: An Immersive Art Experience + Fundraiser – rescheduled to October 17 due to effects of Hurricane Helene
September 30, 2024
Premier Arts Collective (PAC) announces Kaleidoscope: An Immersive Art Experience + Fundraiser will now take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Zen in downtown Greenville. Previously scheduled on September…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: food, music, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts
Hurricanes, A Personal History
September 30, 2024
By Tom Poland Growing up in landlocked Lincoln County, Georgia, I never worried about hurricanes. I left that to folks on the coast. Hurricanes were not to be feared. If…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Remembering Ken Burger
September 26, 2024
By Tom Poland “Don’t forget to be happy. It’s the only measurement of success that really counts.” – Ken Burger I wish I had known Ken Burger for more…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experiences coming to the Greenville Convention Center this holiday season!
September 24, 2024
Producer Paquin Entertainment Group announced that Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience, which have sold more than seven million tickets worldwide, will open at…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, entertainment, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move, the-arts
S.C. Arts Commission launches Creative Careers website
September 23, 2024
Today, the South Carolina Arts Commission formally announced the launch of a new website designed to provide information and insight into the vast career opportunities within the state’s thriving $14…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: education, government, on-the-move, the-arts
Rogue Squirrel
September 19, 2024
By Tom Poland For two summers now I have battled a rogue squirrel, and the score is squirrel 100, Tom zero. He raids my “go to” hummingbird feeder, and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Wine & Design and Premier Arts Collective announce national corporate giving partnership
September 11, 2024
Greenville, South Carolina, based Premier Arts Collective (PAC) is partnering with Wine & Design, an experiential art franchise based in Raleigh, North Carolina, with over 50 studios nationwide. The partnership…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
Wake Up Call Aboard The Pamela Sue
September 5, 2024
By Tom Poland Shrimping Down McClellanville Way I got up at 4:30 a.m. to go to two Carolina bays in the Francis Marion National Forest. Hours later I left pitcher…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
“Artists Teaching: Teaching Artists,” exhibitions highlight the work of artists and educators
September 4, 2024
The Department of Art Faculty Exhibition, “Artists Teaching: Teaching Artists,” showcases the artwork of Clemson University’s artist-educators, symbolically connecting faculty research and experiences that explore elements of place, media, technology,…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Brooks Center welcomes The Concert Truck back to the Clemson community
September 4, 2024Back by popular demand, The Concert Truck will make its way through the greater Clemson area from September 10-14 during a four-day residency. Presented by the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts and sponsored by Bill…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, on-the-move, the-arts
Holiday Fair & Kringle Village ticket sales now live
September 3, 2024
Tickets are now on sale for Holiday Fair & Kringle Village, a uniquely elevated holiday experience created by the partnership of Greenville Convention Center’s Annual Holiday Fair and Rotary Club…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, local-industry, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, social-scene, the-arts
Complexities, tragedies of Native American boarding schools explored in exhibit at Upcountry History Museum
August 30, 2024
“To educate and assimilate into “civilized” society.” That was the motive in the 1870s behind taking Native American children to distant residential boarding schools and stripping them of all signs…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: chamber, churches, education, environmental, government, law, marketing-and-communications, media, military, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts, transportation
South Carolina Governor’s Schools to host joint information session in Greenville
August 28, 2024
The Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe (JDLH), Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH), and the Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM), and are…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: agriculture, education, on-the-move, technology, the-arts
Greenville Symphony Orchestra releases series of community events in “Countdown to Opening Night”
August 26, 2024
Event lineup will include a family festival, comedy, panel discussions, music bingo, social hours, and more The Greenville Symphony Orchestra (GSO) announced an exciting lineup of community events leading up…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, music, non-profit, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation elects new members to board of directors
August 26, 2024
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation announced the addition of five new members to its board of directors. With three-year terms that began in July…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: education, non-profit, on-the-move, the-arts
Joel Perkins of The Mud Brothers, AutoCorrect and The Bi***in’ Syncs Team come out on top at inaugural Sync for Survivors Benefit
August 22, 2024
With a crowd of 400 guests cheering wildly with rainbow-lit glow sticks, this first-time event for the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance (“CSPA”) raised an impressive $200,000 to expand programming within…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: entertainment, health-care, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy, the-arts
Robert Ariail, Cartoonist
August 21, 2024
By Tom Poland In the beginning, there was the urge to draw—and inspiration, Saturday morning cartoons. “I’d drawn since I was a boy, spending hours with crayons, pencils, manila…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc, laurenscountybuzz Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
SC Sculptor Charles Pate unveils groundbreaking statue honoring Judge Tanya A. Gee
August 20, 2024
South Carolina sculptor Charles Pate made history with the unveiling of a groundbreaking statue honoring the late Judge Tanya A. Gee at a dedication ceremony held at the West Columbia…
Read MorePosted in: upstatebizsc Category: law, life, on-the-move, the-arts
