Pricey public art is a flashpoint for Cayce. Here’s what council members said
A potential art installation in Cayce has officials and residents split over whether the city should spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a sculpture. Following a recent meeting, city council members took to social media to share their thoughts.
Danish artist Thomas Dambo is renowned for his larger-than-life troll sculptures constructed from reclaimed and recycled materials. Cayce announced negotiations up to $355,000 for its own troll in February, boasting that the project would make the city the first in South Carolina to host a Dambo troll, with hopes of spurring tourism and economic growth.
City council members discussed the project again during a closed-door portion of a regular meeting on April 22 that went on for more than three and a half hours. When they emerged, council members voted on a motion to share a presentation with the public during a special called meeting on Monday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Elise Partin, along with council members Tiffany Aull and Alice Rose, voted in favor of the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Phillip Carter and Councilman Byron Thomas voted against the motion.
Following the meeting, here is what four of the five council members had to say.
Mayor Elise Partin
Partin posted a video on Facebook calling a Dambo troll a “strategic economic development engine.”
“This isn’t just buying a piece of art, it is the beginning of a journey that we get to go on together,” Partin said.
She emphasized that the troll would not be funded through property taxes, but money that can only go towards tourism.
“It’s designed to get others spending money in our city,” Partin said — in restaurants, in small businesses and in local hotels.
Mayor Pro Tem Phillip Carter
Carter said on Facebook that he “cannot” nor will he support the use of more than $350,000 for something that is not currently a “need” in Cayce, and is further concerned about the project’s “lack of transparency.”
He said council has a “fiduciary responsibility” to be cautious as to how they use funds, especially nearing the end of a fiscal year.
“As a future project I am not opposed to having a ‘Troll’ in Cayce, but I do not think that the sole burden of such an endeavor should fall on the shoulders of the taxpayers,” Carter wrote. “As always, I am open to your thoughts and suggestions regarding this or any other matter that arises.”
Councilman Byron Thomas
Thomas was highly complimentary of Dambo’s art in recent Facebook post. But he said he opposes the way the project was to be funded, not the project itself.
He said wants to secure a private partners to help finance a troll a Cayce, rather than rely on the city taxes alone.
“Why are we rushing when we can ensure we are saving taxpayer money? I have not found a city or organization that moved forward without securing a significant private donation before signing a contract,” Byron wrote. “So, as of now, I am voting no on this project due to the lack of secured private funding and our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
Councilwoman Tiffany Aull
Aull said she supports funding a Dambo troll, a possible piece to “thoughtful economic growth” in the city.
“I believe our city could benefit greatly from being the first destination in South Carolina to host one of Dambo’s trolls,” Aull wrote. “Is it expensive? Yes. But does it create an opportunity for growth and increased revenues that will help offset the cost? Absolutely.”
Aull also said Cayce shouldn’t shoulder the full cost of the project, and hopes for a “collaborative approach” to the project, by securing donations, grants, sponsorships and volunteer support for at least 50% of the installation.
“I support the troll because I support progress,” Aull wrote.
