Melrose Heights hosts "Art in the Yard" events during pandemic – Columbia Star

Betty Kornegay-Kaneft with her artwork Photo contributed by Betty Kornegay-Kaneft

Martha Fowler, a resident of Historic Melrose Heights, says the neighborhood is increasingly becoming an artist colony. She says, Ive sort of grown up in the neighborhood as my grandparents bought the home where I live in 1941.

Fowler says she and many of her neighbors have been walking outside for exercise and to safely spend time together during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said during their outside walks, We began talking about all the artists in the neighborhood and where everyone lived. We decided to reach out to the artists and have an afternoon when we invited each other to get to know each other better and celebrate our neighborhood. It was also about that time we started having food delivered for whoever wanted to join in. Our goal was to help so many who could not work due to the pandemic.

This was the origin of the Historic Melrose Heights Art in the Yard events that have brought people together safely with food, art, music, and friendship.

The festival has grown and several hundred attended the October 4 Art in the Yard. The first was held in the spring after the COVID-19 restrictions were ordered and many businesses and events around the city were shut down. Another Art in the Yard was held in July. The next Art in The Yard event is planned for December 6. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged during the events. Hand sanitizing stations are placed at each of the intersections of the neighborhood.

Fowler says, Melrose has not only filmmakers, photographers, and painters but also musicians, plantsmen, potters, writers, arts administrators, quilters, and now during the pandemic others have discovered their artistic talents developing their skills in painting, candle making, and stained glass artisans.

Residents of Melrose who are featured artists in the Art in the Yard events include Jay Bender, painter; Diana Stevenson, jewelry; Betsy Kaemmerlen, potter and landscape architect; Harriet Green, arts administrator; Rob Shaw, painter and gallery owner; Josh Whiteside, photographer; Jenks Farmer, plantsman; John Sherrer, historian and writer; Christopher Berg, musician; Elaine Delk, antique and art collector; Hope Sypert, designer; Julie Webster, stained glass; Betty Kornegay Keneft, painter; Big Dad Keneft, painter; Van Kornaguy, photographer and media arts professor; and more.

Lee Ann Kornegay, planner and organizer of the Historic Melrose Heights Art in the Yard says, Melrose Art in the Yard events have allowed us to get to know our neighbors and invite other communities to walk our streets and enjoy the talents of many in a safe and fun way. Not only has it nurtured families to create things but has nudged folks that may have never considered themselves artists to show their work. That is pretty exciting. We have kids making tarts, Melrose signs, and jewelry along side established artists, and it has created a sense of community with a welcome breath of fresh air.

The Historic Melrose Heights neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History as the Historic Melrose Heights, Oak Lawn, Fairview Historic District. The neighborhood is located west of Woodrow Street, south of Gervais Street and Trenholm Road, and north of Millwood Avenue and Michigan Street and is comprised of over 600 houses bringing together the original Melrose Heights, Oak Lawn, and Fairview communities.

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Melrose Heights hosts "Art in the Yard" events during pandemic - Columbia Star