Visitors to the 50th Annual LexMed Irmo Okra Strut had a unique opportunity to enjoy local artwork created by members of the newly formed Greater Irmo Art Guild. Kim Winn, President of the new Guild and owner of local art hub, Artistic Aspirations, explained “This undertaking was a true community effort by our Guild member artists – from construction of the display structure, to hanging and pricing art, to interacting with visitors and art buyers, to – after all of that hard work – dismantling, packing, and hauling the display panels from the park. It was an enormous effort for a group that has just come together, officially, last month!” Ms. Winn added, “If this is what we can do with short notice, I am very excited to see what the Greater Irmo Art Guild can accomplish in the months and years to come!”
The effort to participate in the 50th Annual Okra Strut was spearheaded by community activist and Guild Board Member, Brent Chittwood and funded by Jake Moore, Sr, most recent recipient of South Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor – The Order of the Palmetto, local philanthropist, and advocate for community beatification. Mr. Chitwood was quick to thank Mr. Moore, The Okra Strut Committee – who made room for the Guild’s 20 x 40 foot tent in the existing event plan just a month before the event, and the faculty and students in the Construction Sciences program at School District 5’s Center for Advanced Technical Studies for taking on the challenge of building the 40 custom designed display boards used for the event. Mr. Chittwood explained that the Strut was a great excuse to get the display panels built because “now they are ready for future events, such as the upcoming Irmo International Festival. Also, providing display boards for member artists makes it easier for more artists to participate in more local events.
Guild member and owner of Woodrow Marketplace, Taco B was the Guild’s Okra Strut Committee Chair. While watching the visitors roam through the art tent, Ms. Taco shared, “We have met so many people in the community who were very surprised to learn that that the Greater Irmo area is home is so many talented artists. So that confirms one the Guild’s biggest efforts will be bringing our community and the work of our local artists together!”
The local artists that participated in Guild’s inaugural event brought arts of all sorts to the Okra Strut. In the art tent you could see and buy paintings, folk art, drawings, photos, multi-media collage, wood crafts, metal crafts, and jewelry. Making the event even more engaging was live paper making demonstrations by Ashley Edmiston, a Guild member artist. Ms. Edmiston uses fresh okra as a binding agent in the process she uses to turn pulp made from – primarily – junk mail into recycled paper.
Guild Board Member and local photographer, Kimberly Oakley, summed up the success of the event, “During this Okra Strut weekend, we had 25 artists represented who together presented over 200 pieces of art. Importantly, over 30 pieces of art sold to art patrons, yielding a substantial boon to the local art economy right here in Irmo. To bring together so many recognized Irmo area artists in one place was a notable accomplishment that bodes well for the future of art in this community.” Echoing this sentiment, Gabriel Penfield, Irmo Town Councilman and fellow Board Member commented, “I’m proud to see our community come together to support local artists and share in the culture that strengthens our town.”
The Greater Irmo Art Guild’s mission is to create opportunities for local artists to thrive, to promote the arts in our neighborhoods, parks, local businesses, schools, and community centers, while putting our collective talents to use in the ever-evolving beautification of the Greater Irmo area. The Guild also aims to bring immersive and interactive art experiences to the community, adding to the overall quality of life in the Greater Irmo area. Ultimately, we are driven – as a growing collective of artists and local businesses and organizations – artists to establish Irmo as an “arts destination” for tourists and visitors. The Guild is a 501c3 and donations to their support their mission are tax deductible. Visit and join the Greater Irmo Art Guild on Facebook.
