Clemson 4H and MACK Offer Pop Up Programs this Summer!

[McCormick, SC]: McCormick County 4-H is teaming up with the McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah (MACK) for fun youth summer programs! The purpose of these programs is to provide fun, engaging and educational experiences in our hometown. 

Clemson University Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development enhances the lives of youth in our community by providing positive youth development programs relating to the areas of agriculture, community engagement and leadership, healthy living, and science. The MACK advances youth arts programming by offering various cultural and art education experiences. Additional programs are also offered in partnership through the McCormick County Library, John De La Howe, McCormick School District, Hickory Knob State Park, the McCormick County Recreation Department and more. 

Area youth program providers collectively support positive experiences for our local students and families. High-quality programs and partnerships ensure all children have opportunities to improve overall wellness, mental health, citizenship, compassion, a higher sense of self-worth, develop a sense of belonging, achieve educational goals, potential to improve economic well-being, and improve family and community relationships. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

McCormick Summer FUN & SAFETY Camp

(Ages 6-12) During this 2-day camp youth will have the opportunity to tour EMS, Police, and Fire Stations. Students will learn tips on how to stay safe this summer. 

WHEN: June 7 & 9 @ 1:00 – 3:00 / Cost $10

Camp meets at McCormick County Administration Building

Pop Up Program: Public Art 

(Ages 13 – 18) Be ready to paint and help advance the latest Painting a Brighter Future installation of a new mural on Main Street! Bring water and wear clothes to paint in. 

PART I: June 7, 8, 9 @ 5:00 – 8:00

PART II: June 14, 15, 16 @ 5:00 – 8:00

No Fee – Must register by 4:00 PM on 6/6/22 and 6/13/22. 

Seating is limited. Locations to be provided once registered.

Pop Up Program: Pottery 

Pottery returns this summer! Hand Sculpt unique creations to celebrate nature. Artwork will be kiln fired and returned to students at a later date. 

ALL Stars (Ages 13 – 18)

PART I: June 14 @ 1:00 – 3:00 will feature Perfect Pollinators.

PART II: June 21 @ 1:00 – 3:00 will feature Backyard Beauty.

PART III: June 28 @ 1:00 – 3:00 will feature Conservation Creations.

Rugrats (Ages 6 – 12)

PART I: June 16 @ 1:00 – 3:00 will feature Perfect Pollinators.

PART II: June 23 @ 1:00 – 3:00 will feature Backyard Beauty.

PART III: June 30 @1:00 – 3:00 will feature Conservation Creations.

$15 per session- Must register in advance. Seating is limited. 

Camp meets at McCormick County Administration Building

CSI Camp

(Ages 9 – 13) During this 3-day camp, youth will learn and apply the science behind detective work and crack the case!

WHEN: June 14, 15, & 16 @ 10:00 – 12:00 / Cost $25

Camp meets at McCormick County Administration Building

4-H2O Camp

(Ages 9 – 13) Our fun environmental science summer camp returns this year! Students will learn all about water quality and fishing during this 3-day camp. 

WHEN: June 21, 22, and 23 @ 9:00 – 3:00 / Cost $40

Camp meets at Plum Branch Yacht Club 

Pop Up Program: Drawing & Painting 

(Ages 13 – 18) Draw then paint your subject in this 3-day workshop. Drawing is an essential part of creating artwork. Students will work with either watercolor or acrylic paints.

Part I – Pollinators (Watercolor) 

July 5, 6, and 7  @ 1:00 – 3:00 

Part II – Nature’s Beauty  (Acrylic)

July 12, 13, and 14 @ 1:00 – 3:00 

$25 per session- Must register in advance. Seating is limited. 

Camp meets at McCormick County Administration Building

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mccormick-youth-summer-programs-tickets-347292078957. 

To complete the additional 4H online registration: https://v2.4honline.com. 

To complete the additional MACK online registration: https://forms.gle/6ttQ4dHqy7hYT6fS6

For more information: 

Jaime Pohlman- jaime@clemson.edu / (864) 986-1026 

Heather McNally – mccormickarts@gmail.com / (864) 602-0331

McCormick Upperclass Students visit Atlanta

[McCormick, SC]: 39 students from McCormick High School, both juniors and seniors, visited Atlanta, GA for a full-day cultural experience. The purpose of this experience is to offer our upper-class students the opportunity to explore, enjoy, and be inspired to advance their personal life experiences and self-education beyond the classroom walls. This program advances district goals to provide world-class experiences and cultivate relationships with community partners.

The field trip was designed to introduce students to a high-quality experience that exposes students to design, public art, and international influences in food, culture, and art. Students were able to enjoy a learning opportunity at the Museum of Design (MODA) which featured the current exhibition, Full Circle: Design Without End, which demonstrates how we can strengthen and replenish natural ecosystems and help humans connect to nature as a way of ensuring the health of our planet and ourselves.

Jeremiah Fambrough, MHS junior, said he especially appreciated learning about the innovative design techniques that MODA shared as he is exploring a degree in environmental engineering as a future educational goal. Students then were able to enjoy a lunch experience at Politan Row, located in Midtown Atlanta’s Colony Square. This unique food hall incorporates design, exemplifies entrepreneurship, and provides a destination for the “culinarily curious”. 

The Cabbagetown Mural Walking Tour allowed students to enjoy learning about public art and see a wide array of murals. This tour was provided by lead volunteers for local civic groups and served as a visual introduction to public art. Ro Dennis, lead for the Paul Dennis Youth Center, greeted the students and invited them to bring their ideas and energy back to McCormick to help install a developing mural on Main Street in partnership with the MACK. The Painting a Brighter Future project will be open to all teens as a summer program. Students attended the Center for Civil Rights which provided an engaging and educational experience that immersed the students in history. 

Chaela Moore, MHS Senior, shared that she really enjoyed the experience. “It was amazing! I got to learn about so much history – which I love!” She continued to share that she especially enjoyed reading the original letters from Martin Luther King, Jr. “I thought that was so interesting!” The day ended with a Japanese dinner provided by Kumo Hibachi & Sushi.

The McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah (MACK) serves as a lead cultural partner in McCormick County and provides in-kind and educational support to ensure a positive experience for all. Ms. Courtney Lyles, Social Studies teacher, MHS Teacher of the Year, and Student Government Association advisor, was the lead sponsor for this trip. Her leadership, with the help of the chaperone team and the support from McCormick School administration, provided a quality experience for local students. 

“The students were incredible! It was wonderful to see them engaged and participating throughout the day. Students were open-minded, respectful, and participated as a group – which is great to see. We are grateful to school leaders to allow us the opportunity to share these experiences with local students.” ~ Heather McNally, Director of Programs and Development.

This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, a generous local donor contributed additional funding to the MACK program for the purpose of providing local students with “worldly experiences and cultural opportunities.”  Both institutions succeeded in providing support by offering field trips and cultural experiences that will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the world around them. 

For more information about MACK Youth Programs, please contact Heather McNally, Director of Programs and Development at mccormickarts@gmail.com / (864) 602-0331

McCormick Elementary Students Visit Willington

[Willington, SC]: 45 students from McCormick Elementary School, grades 3 – 5,  visited historic Willington, SC. The purpose of this experience was to offer our elementary students the opportunity to explore and enjoy a local historic opportunity and offer education beyond the classroom walls. This program advances district goals to provide world-class experiences and cultivate relationships with community partners.

Willington is located in the northwest portion of McCormick County, along the Nature Route of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. Willington was the home of the Willington Academy which educated many of the South’s early leaders including eleven governors, three vice presidents, and several college presidents. A railroad was built to support the community and its burgeoning cotton industry. Students visited the History Center, African American Cultural Center, Daniel P. Juengst Railroad and Post Office Building, Willington Bookstore, and viewed the Painting a Brighter Future project which featured twelve panels that capture past and present sites within the community.

The McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah (MACK) and Willington On The Way are cultural partners in McCormick County and provide volunteer and educational support to ensure a positive experience for all. Volunteers included Ms.Geraldine Ware, Board member and History Center volunteer, and Sarah Moss who both grew up in the area and live in Willington.  The students certainly benefited from interacting with them and hearing their stories.  Other volunteers, Deborah Fuller, Wayne Ehrensberger, and Lana Snellgrove, served as bookshop volunteers and shared history lessons for the students. 

“All of the volunteers were very positive about the time with the students
and the opportunity to share some of the history and culture of the area. We appreciated the enthusiasm and participation of the adults accompanying the students,” Lana Snellgrove, the volunteer manager of the Bookshop, shared. She enjoyed watching many students excited about books and stories.  “Several did ask about coming back out with family members. We want to get the word out that Willington History Center and Bookshop are a great place for individuals and families to visit.” 

The field trip was designed to introduce students to local history, build community pride and celebrate historic assets in McCormick County. McCormick Elementary educators shared that “students learned the rich history of Willington through hearing stories, looking at artifacts, and learning about the railroad and postal service.  Students gained real-world experience through addressing postcards”. All parties are optimistic about additional future cultural experiences for students to enjoy and benefit from.

For more information about Willington on the Way, please see their website willingtonsc.com or visit 1801 Morrah Bridge Road McCormick, SC 29835. 864-391-2665 (Bookshop) 864-391-4478 (History Center) Willington@wctel.net

Reminder – Yoder Rosenberg Family Foundation – Scholarships applications are due!

[McCormick, SC]: The McCormick Arts Council at the Keturah (MACK) is honored to be the organization selected to assist the Yoder Rosenberg Family Foundation in supporting local students. To date, 62 local students have benefitted from this generous opportunity. Through the generosity of this local family foundation, the MACK will assist in providing scholarships to selected McCormick and Abbeville students. The Yoder Rosenberg Family Foundation scholarships will distribute $35,000 to support deserving students who express the importance of creativity, innovation, and communication. This scholarship is for graduating High School Seniors in McCormick and Abbeville Counties and will be based on academic achievement and financial need.  

All student applications must be completed and submitted by Saturday, June 4, 2022 @ 11:59 PM. We recommend that you communicate 

with your guidance department/counselor for assistance in advance. If you have any questions or challenges, please email the McCormick Arts Council (MACK) at mccormickarts@gmail.com. 

Click the following link for access to the scholarship application:

Click here to complete the YRFF Scholarship Application

Artisans Guild & Gift Shop 2022

The MACK Artisans Guild & Gift Shop features quality handcrafted items including jewelry, cards, pottery, fine art, and much more. The MACK Artisans Guild and Gift Shop is located at 218 S. Main Street. This program is entirely operated by local artists and volunteers. The MACK continues to expand opportunities to our regional artists and provides access to high-quality artisan goods.