Upcoming Events
Save the date!
Save the date for our 10th Anniversary Year Finale in the place where it all started. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 3rd and will be a members-only event. To join the Women’s Art Initiative or to send in your dues for the year, please visit our donate page. We hope you’ll be able to make it to this celebration as we reflect on a decade of work, support, and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for everyone in our community through public art!
Time to Celebrate and Reflect
Social at the 19th Hole
Bubbly conversation and trivia
Oh, what fun we had celebrating our anniversary at the 19th Hole at the Warehouses on October 22, 2025.
Bubbly conversation and trivia
Bubbly conversation and trivia
Libations, lively conversation, and trivia on the history of the Women's Art Initiative were enjoyed on September 30, 2025, at Comporium Telephone Museum as our anniversary celebrations highlighted our past, present and future!
Cheers to Summer!
What a great turnout as WAI continued celebrating our 10th anniversary at our wine and downtown art tour on May 28 at 5:00 at Green Space Plant Company, 151 E Main Street.
our 10 year anniversary Celebrations honor our beginnings
At our first 10th anniversary celebration, we honored our earliest members, pictured above, and our Haiku initiative at 'Haikus at The Hickory Post' on Thursday, March 6th, 2025. This celebration also included a fun Haiku writing contest with prizes.
our 10 year anniversary Celebrations Continue
WAI celebrated our 10th anniversary in style by kicking off Come See Me and marching in the parade on April 3, 2025.
Celebrating 10 years in 2025!
Listen as Stephanie Thompkins, current president of Womens’ Art Initiative, founding president, Grazier Rhea, and past vice president, secretary, and art selection committee chairman, Caroline Rust, share WAI's upcoming 10th anniversary information on WRHI's Straight Talk with Manning Kimmel on January 13, 2025.
One Word Poetry Festival
Our 10-year anniversary celebrations would not be complete without supporting and sponsoring Rock Hill's One Word Poetry Festival., May 29-May 31, 2025.
Walking and Reflecting on our accomplishments
Thank you for joining us at the Green Space Plant Company, 151 E. Main St., on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 5:00 for a downtown art tour. This meet up was in conjunction with Green Space’s “Wednesday Wine Walkers”. It was a delightful evening!
Initiatives
Haiku on the Sidewalks 2022
2022 Haiku poetry winners are painted on downtown sidewalks!
Check out previous winners at Haiku 2019 and Haiku 2020.
Corner Oasis Mural
Take in the Corner Oasis mural painted by the Mural Ninjas April 25 - May 11, 2024.
Corner Oasis: Reflect and Renew
June 29, 2023, Fitzhugh Karol and team transformed White Street's pocket corner into an oasis for reflection and renewal with Karol's piece, "Flower and Industry".
Street Artist Shepard Fairey leaves his mark on rock Hill
Shepard Fairey's mural is installed in downtown Rock Hill. The mural is located at 153 E. White Street.
Frank Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator, and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene.
Mural Installed Oct 15 – 19, 2021
One Word Poetry Festival April 27-30, 2023
Amazing talent was experienced during Rock Hill's third annual One Word Poetry Festival!
Endless Possibilities
Endless Possibilities
Endless Possibilities
On January 28, 2020, WAI presented it's latest public art project, "Communication: Endless Possibilities Past, Present, Future", designed by artist, Carrie Gault, of Floyd, Virginia, at the entry of Comporium's Telephone Museum on Elk Avenue.
CN2 Interview - Scroll to 12:30
About Us
Mission
To enhance the quality of life for the greater Rock Hill area by reflecting its cultural values and artistic vitality through public art.
Purpose
- To select and purchase art to be installed in designated public places.
- To solicit donations from members and the general public.
- To increase knowledge and a greater appreciation of public art and its importance to the quality of life.
- To increase public awareness of public art through educational programs, publications, and tours.
- To aid and cooperate with and participate in the activities of other organizations and individuals engaging in similar or related purposes.
Past Initiatives
Ann Evolving
Our first project was the creation and installation of the inaugural public artwork, "Ann Evolving", by New York artist, Kathy Bruce, at the White Home, Rock Hill.
Ed Lewandowski Mural
The second project completed by WAI was the restoration and unveiling of the Ed Lewandowski Mural by Charlotte artist, Sharon Dowell, at the Center for the Arts, Rock Hill.
Artful Bra Exhibit
The Women's Art Initiative helped sponsor the Artful Bra Exhibit at the York County Council's Perimeter Gallery Sept.13 through Oct. 27, 2019. The project, which raised breast cancer awareness with embellished bras, included screenings at a mobile mammogram van. WAI member and artist, Caroline Rust, created a bra and was featured on CN2. She's pictured with Melanie Cooper from the Arts Council, right; and Renee O'Neil of CN2, center. https://www.yorkcountyarts.org/artfulbras https://www.cn2.com/?s=Artful+Bra
Drive the arts tour
Looking for a way to get outdoors and see local art? Take part in the “Drive the Arts Tour” with the Women Arts Initiative. Our mission is public art and our driving tour takes you past 30-plus pieces in town. Enjoy!
Art for All Spotlight
Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry by Andrea Downs
WAI partners with other organizations and individuals to enhance the quality of life through public art.
Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry by Andrea Downs
Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry by Andrea Downs
The Arts Council of York County, the Women’s Art Initiative, and Winthrop University Galleries partnered to invite the York County community to engage and participate in Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry, a community art movement.