On May 11, Pocket Productions and Palmetto Conservation Foundation will launch Art on the Trail, a series of environmental art projects along the statewide Palmetto Trail. The launch will happen in Riverfront Park from 6-9 PM with Playing After Dark: Art on the Trail. The opening will showcase plans for the projects that have been accepted for the Midlands region by our highly selective jury: Harriett Green, Director of Visual Arts for the Arts Commission, Christopher Robinson, installation artist and professor at USC, Anna Redwine, President of the Design League, Booth Chilcutt, Executive Director of the Sumter Cultural Commission, and Rudy Mancke, director of nature programming for SCETV.

Each artist will present their plans to the public during this free event. The audience will be able to see each work in progress and learn about the materials and the process that will be used for each finished piece.

Dr. William Moreau Goins, CEO of the SC Cherokee tribe, will perform a ceremony of initiation at the start of the May 11 opening to the statewide installations.

The opening will involve the audience in the act of creation through the construction of an enormous Rangoli, a community art installation designed by Khaldoune Benchiekh, inspired by Indian folk art. When the piece is complete, the Power Company (contemporary dance) will join live musicians from the musical collective Classical Revolution to perform a site specific piece constructed in collaboration with the visual artists.

Following this installation, Andy Goldsworthy’s visually stunning documentary film about the process of creating environmental art, Rivers and Tides, will be shown as musicians, poets and dancers interpret to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and environmental art in progress. The film showing is sponsored by the Columbia Museum of Art.

This is a free event that will engage and inspire an audience of all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring the whole family to participate in this unique celebration. Light refreshments will be served.