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A Brief History of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center 

The idea for establishing the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center began in 1978 as the vision of Arthur and Lois Lusty, who sought to reclaim the River Pavilion located in the Edisto Gardens, as a site where members of the Orangeburg community could gather to participate in and enjoy the fine arts, as well as becoming more familiar with the city’s unique history and heritage.

The old River Pavilion was originally a two-story wooden structure erected in the 1920s, serving primarily as a bathhouse for swimmers in the Edisto River. The second floor was utilized to host boxing matches prior to World War II. The foot bridge traversing the river, located at the rear of the River Pavilion building, was constructed by the Orangeburg Fire Department to permit pedestrian access for swimmers using diving boards located on the opposite river bank. Floodlights were installed at the time to permit night swimming. In 1950, the City of Orangeburg approved funds for the renovation and rebuilding of the River Pavilion, bringing it to its present, cinder-block construction form, and the renovated structure was designated the River Pavilion. The first floor housed dressing rooms, a snack bar, and a game area. The open space of the upper floor was used for proms and various social dances, class reunions, football after-parties, and the Miss Orangeburg Pageant. In the 1950s, the City Council voted to bring the building into the Park System of the City of Orangeburg. In 1982, the Orangeburg Part-Time Players, an amateur local theater group, rented the River Pavilion for use as a rehearsal and prop construction space. In 1983, the Orangeburg League of the Arts petitioned the city for a lease on the building in order to develop it as a community arts facility.

As a consequence of the commitment and hard work of the Lustys and other dedicated local citizens, the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center was chartered as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization in January of 1984. The River Pavilion of the Edisto Gardens was leased from the city of Orangeburg and, following months, days and hours of volunteer labor, a grand opening was held for the refurbished facility on March 17, 1986. The second floor is home to the Lusty Gallery, and its intimate theater space can easily seat as many as 200 individuals. The name of the facility was amended to the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center in 1998.

Funding for the establishment of the Fine Arts Center was secured through public and private sources, including but not limited to, The National Endowment for the Arts, The State of South Carolina, Senator Marshall B. Williams, The South Carolina Arts Commission, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, the Dick Horne Foundation, local industries and individual contributions. Total renovation costs of an estimated $130,000 were provided by diverse state and local funding sources, this includes the costs for the installation of an elevator in October of 1987. In addition, the Orangeburg Music Guild provided the donation of a beautiful baby grand piano, which graces the upstairs performance and exhibition area, an extraordinary asset for diverse concert and theatrical presentations. A refinishing of the original, hardwood floors of the upper level was accomplished in 1996. The adaptable second floor exhibition and performance space is approximately 6400 square feet and includes a small theater stage and still may be used as a ballroom. On January 12, 1997, the elegant Andrew Berry Terrace Garden, generously funded by the Dick Horne Foundation, was completed and dedicated to the Orangeburg community, with views overlooking the Edisto River from the rear of the River Pavilion edifice. This aspect of the Fine Arts facility was often used in the past for wedding receptions, luncheons, and other recreational activities by local citizens from throughout the county of Orangeburg.  At one time, on-going tours were offered for the Wetlands Nature Trails of the Edisto Gardens and these tours may now be referred to the Department of Parks and Recreation through the Fine Arts Center staff. Another past activity was the seasonal Tour of Homes offered in December, now sponsored and administered by the local Kiwanis Organization.

The Fine Arts Center is governed by a board of directors and is staffed by a full-time executive director and an administrative assistant. Since the Fine Arts Center’s inception, its Executive Directors to date have been Ellen Easterlin, Bernice Tribble, and the current Director, Elizabeth Thomas. Mary Jones serves as Assistant to the Director.

A variety of program offerings, scheduled throughout the year, may be provided for diverse age groups and may include classes in drawing, painting in watercolor, oils and acrylics, pottery, drama workshops, creative writing, calligraphy, music classes, dance, quilting, woodcarving and many other programs for both children and adults of all ages and at all levels.

The annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses is held every spring, local talent is celebrated through “Showcase Orangeburg” organized by Fine Arts Center staff, and an annual Children’s Garden Christmas, with seasonal lighting themes along the river walks, is also presented for the enjoyment and edification of the community. A Silent Auction is held during the late autumn months as a fundraiser in support of this important community facility.

Contributions, either through membership or donations, to sustain the on-going programs and work of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center may be made directly by contacting Executive Director, Elizabeth Thomas or a member of the Fine Arts facility staff at (803) 536-4074. Legacies in honor of, or in memory of loved ones, as well as planned giving programs, are available.

This brief history was compiled by Frank Martin August 7, 2007, based upon earlier summaries by Barbara Welch, Elizabeth Thomas, and Bernice Tribble.

Mission Statement:

The Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center is a cultural facility sustained for the benefit of the general public to support of the regional community’s participation in and enjoyment of the fine arts and our artistic and historical heritage.