Public Art Helping to Promote City of Barnwell Community Revitalization Efforts
May 28, 2025
Visitors to the The Circle in downtown Barnwell will be greeted by some happy new faces, courtesy of SouthernCarolina Alliance’s Regional Beautification Program and special funding from PalmettoPride’s Litter Enforcement Task Force funds.
Barnwell’s newest mural, located on the outside wall of the Pick of the Litter (POTL) on McDonough Street, brightens the entire downtown area while also showcasing a visual representation of what the POTL promotes. A thrift and consignment store, income from the POTL helps support Animal Advocates of Barnwell County and the organization’s Friends for Life Center, which strives to make a difference in the lives of homeless, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals in Barnwell County.
Led by the Downtown Revitalization Committee’s efforts for the City of Barnwell, the mural of adoptable pets is the latest in a series of murals around town and is the largest and most prominent to date in Barnwell County.
“This mural depicts several dogs and cats, all adoptable through Animal Advocates of Barnwell County, so it’s not only a mural that brings a smile to your face, it’s one that promotes the organization’s mission,” said Kay Maxwell, Vice President of SouthernCarolina Alliance. “SCA is proud to have played a role in bringing this joyful addition to the downtown.”
The Downtown Revitalization Committee for Barnwell is led by Councilwoman Jana Myers and Councilman Ricky Dixon, who approached SCA about funding the project.
“It was an honor to work with The Animal Advocates and POTL on this downtown revitalization project, and their work here in Barnwell with animal adoption is greatly appreciated,” Barnwell City Councilman Ricky Dixon said. “As a pet owner and animal lover, I am glad that we have an organization that is trying to save every animal they can, and the mural will help bring positive attention to the POTL. I wish them great success in their animal advocacy.”
“I am so grateful to SCA and PalmettoPride for helping bring this new mural to life,” said Councilwoman Jana Myers. “Projects like this do more than add color; they support our downtown revitalization efforts, make our community feel more welcoming, and encourage folks to stop, look around, and support local businesses.”
Barnwell’s newest mural features a variety of happy and playful larger-than-life-sized dogs and cats, surrounded by colorful hearts displaying love and appreciation for all pets and animals. The piece was designed and painted by Emily Bender, a full-time artist and designer based in Augusta, GA. Bender specializes in hand painted murals and has completed several projects in the City of Barnwell.
“I loved this project because I am passionate about both thrift shops and animals, so it felt like a great fit,” Bender said. “All of the pets shown in the mural are real animals that I know or have known in my life, and it was very special to immortalize them in this way. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was painting!”
Now entering its fourth year of operation, SCA’s Regional Beautification Marketing Program, led by Graci Hiers of SouthernCarolina Alliance, exists, “to help make our counties more marketable as the best place to live, work, and invest and to beautify the region by cleaning up our roadways, industrial parks, downtowns, neighborhoods and waterways. Adding public art to our communities plays a major role in the revitalization of downtown areas,” said Hiers.
Studies have shown that public art, a form of visual art, can improve the quality of life for a community by promoting economic growth, cultural understanding, community revitalization, and a sense of belonging. However, public art is also a great litter prevention strategy, that has recently gained attention not only in South Carolina, but internationally.
“The mural in downtown Barnwell is a great addition to the community! Public art – particularly murals – is a tactic of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, which we teach. CPTED is about creating an environment that deters criminal activity, including littering and blight. Kudos to everyone who brought this project to fruition!” said Sarah Lyles, Executive Director of PalmettoPride.
SCA’s Regional Beautification Marketing Program started in 2021, when Palmetto Pride presented the organization with a Litter Task Force Grant. The grant has allowed SCA to bring new litter control and beautification efforts to its rural communities. The efforts included placing murals in Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale and Blackville.
As the SCA program concludes, a new mural will be erected in Blackville, along with directional signage for Healing Springs and other Barnwell County landmarks.
To learn more about SCA, visit: www.SouthernCarolina.org or follow SCA on social media.
To learn more about PalmettoPride, visit www.palmettopride.org.
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