This story was updated March 7 to reflect the festival's new date
COLUMBIA — “I’d be lying if I said I knew what it would become,” said Cottontown Art Crawl organizer Julie Seel.
Now in its sixth year, the multi-disciplinary neighborhood cultural festival off North Main has grown from humble beginnings to encompass some 200 artists, as well as refreshments from seven food trucks and nearby restaurants, live performances by three bands, children’s activities, a bike valet and bike share station and a walking tour of the historic downtown neighborhood. Activities are slated for the rain date, reserved for March 10, from noon to 5 p.m.
Seel might seem an unlikely instigator of a popular grass roots event. The Summerville native came to Columbia to study biology and environmental science at the University of South Carolina and now works from home, focusing on issues of sustainability and environmental impact in the corporate textile industry.
“I’m really a science geek,” Seel confessed at a local coffee shop just a few yards away from her home in Cottowntown, where she’s lived since 2006. “I stay at home, and live my little life.”
A map of the 2024 Cottontown Art Crawl, happening Saturday, March 9, 2024 in the neighborhood near downtown Columbia, SC.
That life, however, included participation with her local neighborhood association, as well as social interaction with local artist Rebecca Horne. In Fall 2018, Seel suggested that she might host “a little drop-in” for neighbors where Horne might display her artwork; a fun time was had by all, and Seel thought she might expand the concept to include nearby residents who might similarly wish to host a guest artist on their lawn or porch.
Cottowntown, also called the Bellevue Historic District, dates to the late 19th century and is one of Columbia’s first planned suburbs; it consists of the mainly residential area bounded by North Main, Bull and Grace streets and Elmwood Avenue.
With the blessing of the neighborhood association, Seel used the Cottontown brand to promote a larger event in the spring of 2019, relying mainly on social media and a few homemade signs.
“It was a zero event, arising out of zero: zero budget and zero waste,” which appealed to her background in sustainability, she said. That first official festival saw "several hundred people" come out to support 20 participating artists.
“We just had a blast that first year,” Seel said. The artists didn’t have to pay to participate and sell their work, and admission was free to the public — and still is.
“Hey, maybe we have something!” she reasoned, and a planning committee went to work for the next year with the goal of making the event bigger and better.
“Think big” became their mantra, Seel said, “and don’t let our own thoughts be the limiting factor. As a sustainability manager you realize that if you can design a working system with no money, then it can only be more successful when you add money.”
Cottontown resident Russell “Rusty” Sox, a retired arts administrator, was instrumental in this growth, knowing where, when and how to apply for public funding and grant money.
“If I’m the heart, then he’s the brain.” Laughing, Seel completed the "Wizard of Oz" metaphor: “And the whole (planning) committee is the courage.”
A first time participant this year is Lindsay Wiggins, who was part of Main Street's revitalization a decade ago when she maintained a studio in the Arcade Building.
“When I saw the list of participants this year, I thought: what a group to be a part of.” Working from a home studio now, she sees pop-up events such as this one to be a viable way to keep her work in the public eye. “Plus the artists are supporting each other,” she noted, “and we feed off each other’s energy.”
Wiggins said the art crawl is approachable, anyone can come and see local art.
“Some people can be intimidated by gallery shows, or they think they don’t know how they’re supposed to act. But this is a fun outdoor thing, and it’s springtime — so you might say ‘I’m not an arts person,’ but you can walk around a neighborhood.”
She added that smaller, portable pieces featured in table-top shows like the art crawl are often priced affordably, making it easier to purchase art.
“Plus you’re shopping locally,” said Cait Maloney, a participating artist since 2020. “And buying directly from the maker. And you get to meet people.”
Maloney's commercial illustrations can be seen everywhere from designs promoting the State Fair and a recent rebranding campaign for Five Points to labels for Abita and Peak Drift beers. Her artwork has regularly been accepted into the prestigious ArtFields exhibition in Lake City, and she created the mural found in the Motor Supply Co. parking lot off Gervais Street.
This event gives her the chance to showcase smaller works such as prints, buttons and stickers.
“It gives everyone an opportunity and helps build community," Maloney said. "It's a big love fest among artists. I’d be surprised if anyone attends and didn’t go home with something.”
Sean McGuinness, who creates pop culture mashups under the Neo Monster Island label, is another first timer. He was drawn by reports of the supportive crowd and vibe.
“It's about getting to … interact with my peers, meet new patrons and get more people enthusiastic about the arts,” he said. “If you are having trouble getting into a gallery and spaces are too expensive to rent, art festivals get your name out there and give you much needed experience.”
Seel, the organizer, concurred. “People are starved for community and connection. The community feels the artists are a part, whether they’re just starting out, or are more established in their careers.”
Personally, she simply likes finding some enjoyment in art.
“It’s not a social circle, but a social scene,” she concluded. “You can be comfortable. You don’t have to know about art.”
