Five Points at 100: A little paint, and lots of memories
BLUE SKY
Painter, muralist and installation artist
Title: “Five Points Fountain”
Location: Five Points fountain with Saluda Avenue in the background
In his own words: “I grew up near Five Points on Woodrow Street. I used to play at Valley Park [now Martin Luther King Jr. Park]. They had softball games and square dances and a wading pool. I had a gallery in Five Points for 25 years. It’s a free and wild and crazy place.”
Art fact: The fountain is purple because Blue Sky was wearing purple sunglasses on the day he painted it.
BRIAN REGO
Oil painter and University of South Carolina professor
Title: “Five Points”
Location: Corner of Devine and Harden streets
In his own words: “Something about that spot and the way the light feels, the space and color attracted me. I’ve seen Five Points go through a lot of change in the past 10 years or so. I think what’s happened is positive because there’s a stronger sense of community. The individual establishments work hard at making it a place where people feel like they belong. You can go grab a coffee and run into 10 people you know. It’s like ‘Cheers.’”
Art fact: Rego has been wanting to do a series of paintings on Five Points for some time.
COLIN DODD
Oil and acrylic artist, Midlands Technical College professor
Title: “View of Five Points”
Location: Greene Street
In his own words: “I lived in the Five Points area on Blossom Street, close by the railway bridge when I was a student from 1981-1985. I still have a lot of nostalgia for the Five Points of that era.”
Art fact: Dodd chose this spot because of the way the sunlight cast shadows on an otherwise unremarkable building.
EDWARD WIMBERLY
Oil and canvas portrait artist
Title: “Five Points”
Location: Three superimposed pictures of Five Points, mostly looking down Devine Street toward the Senate intersection.
In his own words: “To me, Five Points is very lively and I wanted to capture the people talking and the traffic at the same time. I’ve been coming to Five Points all my life. Hell, I used to go back when the theater was there.”
Art fact: Wimberly was once involved with the eclectic shop Joyful Alternative, a counter-culture hangout where the Starbucks is now.
JEFF DONOVAN
Painter and sculptor
Title: “Overhead 2123 Greene Street”
Location: A side view of the building at 2123 Greene St.
In his own words: “Years ago, I used to enjoy going down there where to clubs that had live music. That’s what Five Points meant to me. It was a place to go see bands play live. Then I got older and can’t stay up that late.”
Art fact: Donovan utilized mortar usually used to adhere tile in his piece.
JUNG-MEI DODD
Painter
Title: “Five Points Twilight”
Location: Harden Street, facing Yesterday’s Tavern & Restaurant
In her own words: “The twilight moment is the start of excitment and the continuance of dining, shopping and entertaining experiences that Five Points offers.”
Art fact: This painting is based on a large-scale acrylic piece painted by Dodd’s husband, Colin.
LAURIE MCINTOSH
Painter and mixed media artist
Title: “Saluda Brunch” and “Saluda East”
Location: Saluda Avenue
In her own words: “I’ve spent a lot of time on Saluda Avenue over the years. I wanted to show what I love about Five Points, which is the meeting of friends and the shopping. Five Points has a wonderful village atmosphere that has always been that central gathering space. It makes Columbia special.”
Art fact: McIntosh had a studio over Oops! for 15 years.
MARY GILKERSON
Landscape artist
Title: “Train, Greene Street Crossing” (plus three others)
Location: Railroad crossing at Greene Street
In her own words: “I’ve gone to the train tracks ever since I was old enough to walk. My grandfather used to take me to the tracks as a treat to watch the trains go by.”
Art fact: Gilkerson now occupies the studio space above Oops!
SUSAN LENZ
Fiber and installation artist
Title: “Five Points Pavement I” and “Five Points Pavement II”
Location: All over Five Points
In her own words: “I decided to take pictures of the pavement. I spent all day walking around and looking down at all the colors and textures beneath our feet. There’s a real graphic abstraction to it.”
Art fact: The pieces are images printed on fabric and embellished with colored stitches.
STEPHEN CHESLEY
Oil painter
Title: “Trestle, Slight Rain”
Location:Railroad trestle over Blossom Street
In his own words: “The historical and social origins of Five Points are represented by this iconic portal, made current with its stalwart defiance of recent historical flooding, which is suggested by rain pool puddles.”
Art fact: Chesley painted the same train trestle for a past Paint 5 Points.
If you go
Paint 5 Points Champagne Bash and Art Auction
WHEN: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday during A Starry Night event in Five Points
WHERE: The Gourmet Shop, 724 Saluda Ave.
COST: $75
WORTH NOTING: Cocktail attire suggested
This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 11:49 PM.