Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2025-12-09
Time: 18:00

ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025


The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room),
1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may
view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s
Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions
regarding this meeting.

 The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II
 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes

2. October 21, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

3. Vista Neighborhood Association's Public Art Placement Project - Mr. Barton
 Walrath

ADJOURNMENT




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ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING AGENDA
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025


The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room),
1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the public may
view the meeting online at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s
Office at (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions
regarding this meeting.

 The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large, Chair
 The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II
 The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes

2. October 21, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

3. Vista Neighborhood Association's Public Art Placement Project - Mr. Barton
 Walrath

ADJOURNMENT




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MEETING DATE: December 9, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, &
 Philanthropy Committee Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
 • #a: AHPP_MN_092325 (DOCX)


HISTORY:
10/21/25 Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee DEFERRED




Updated: 10/8/2025 2:20 PM Page 1
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 ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair called
the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. and the following members were present:

 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
 Tyler D. Bailey Chair Present
 Edward H. McDowell Member Present 10:19 a.m.
 Tina N. Herbert Member Present

Upon a motion made by Ms. Herbert and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee
voted unanimously to amend the agenda to include the Lincoln Tunnel North Entrance
Mural Project as Item 3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. August 5, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee Meeting
 Minutes

Upon a motion made by Ms. Herbert and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the August 5, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation &
Philanthropy Committee Meeting Minutes.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

2. Vista Neighborhood Association's Public Art Placement Project - Mr. Barton
 Walrath

Mr. Barton Walrath, Vista Neighborhood Association provided an overview of the
Lincoln Street Tunnel art project, which envisions a three-block art walk between
Lady Street and Taylor Street, with one block being the tunnel itself. The project aims
to create a welcoming gateway at the south entrance for pedestrians and cyclists
coming from the Vista and heading toward Finlay Park and the Vista Greenway.
Approximately $200,000 has been committed to public art installations over the next
one to two years. The project is being developed in collaboration with local artist
Clark Ellison.




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 ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025


There was discussion about preferences between chain-link fencing and an archway;
public safety concerns related to emergency access; the importance of including the
Vista Guild in ongoing conversations; site limitations due to underground utilities;
and coordinating the design to match the tunnel entrances.

3. Vista Guild North Tunnel Entrance Project – Ms. Abby Anderson, Executive
 Director / Vista Guild

Ms. Abby Anderson, Executive Director / Vista Guild described the murals planned for
the north entrance of the Lincoln Street Tunnel. In August, a meeting was held with
One Columbia to discuss issuing an Request For Quote and collaborating with various
artists, including the artist selected for the Finlay Park mural, in order to develop a
cohesive design. This project aims to visually connect the upcoming Rainbow Forest
light installation through Finlay Park to the tunnel.

Ms. Pamela Zeljak, Public Art Administrator for One Columbia explained that three
local artists have already been invited to submit bids and are currently developing
their concepts for the project.

Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Ms. Herbert, there was
consensus of the committee to endorse the Vista Guild North Tunnel Entrance Project
for City Council’s consideration.

There was discussion about cohesiveness of upcoming public artwork projects and
ongoing conversations with artists.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
City Clerk




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MEETING DATE: December 9, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: October 21, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, &
 Philanthropy Committee Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
 • #a: AHPP_MN_102125 (PDF)




Updated: 12/5/2025 9:27 AM Page 1
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 ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, Second Floor, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey,
Chair called the meeting to order at 10:23 a.m.

 Attendee Name Title Status
 Tyler D. Bailey Chair Present
 Edward H. McDowell Member Absent
 Tina N. Herbert Member Absent

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes - Deferred

PRESENTATIONS

2. The Creative Culture Art Expo Update - Mr. Rashawn Merrick, Founder / The
 Creative Culture Brand – Received as information

Mr. Rashawn Merrick, Founder / The Creative Culture Brand announced the upcoming
sold-out Creative Culture Art Expo, Lipstick and Hair Show, taking place on October
25, 2025 at Trustus Theatre. Founded in 2020, the expo now attracts over 370
attendees and supports artists across South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.
The event highlights lectures from artistic directors, brand managers, and
influencers. He shared his goal of empowering artists to build sustainable careers
locally through education, collaboration, and creative opportunity.

There was discussion about increasing local artist involvement; securing a permanent
location; tracking visitor data; identifying revenue and funding sources; and ensuring
model diversity from multiple universities.




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 ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025


ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
City Clerk




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MEETING DATE: December 9, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Vista Neighborhood Association's Public Art
 Placement Project - Mr. Barton Walrath
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
 • #a: VNA Public Art Application (PDF)


HISTORY:
09/23/25 Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee RECEIVED AS
INFORMATION

Mr. Barton Walrath, Vista Neighborhood Association provided an update on the
Lincoln Street Tunnel art project, which envisions a three-block art walk between
Lady and Taylor Streets, with one block being the tunnel itself. The project aims to
create a welcoming gateway at the south entrance for pedestrians and cyclists
coming from the Vista and heading toward the renovated Finlay Park and the Vista
Greenway. Approximately $200,000 has been committed to public art installations
over the next one to two years. The project is being developed in collaboration with
local artist Clark Ellison and Pamela from One Columbia, both of whom served on
the advisory committee for the Vista Guild’s public art plan.
Councilor McDowell arrived at 10:19 a.m.
There was discussion about preferences between chain-link fencing and an archway; public safety concerns related
to emergency access; the importance of including the Vista Guild in ongoing conversations; site limitations due to
underground utilities; and coordinating the design to match the tunnel entrances.
3. Vista Guild North Tunnel Project – Ms. Abby Anderson, Executive Director / Vista Guild
Ms. Abby Anderson, Executive Director / Vista Guild shared about the murals planned for the north entrance of the
Lincoln Street Tunnel. In August, a meeting was held with One Columbia to discuss issuing an RFQ and working
with various artists, including potentially the artist chosen for the Finley Park mural, to create a cohesive design.
This project aims to visually connect the upcoming Rainbow Forest light installation, approved last August, through
Finley Park to the tunnel. The committee also acknowledged receiving a letter from Pamela and Xavier at One
Columbia regarding the project.
Ms. Pamela Zeljak, Public Art Administrator for One Columbia explained that three local artists have already been
invited to submit bids and are currently developing their concepts for the project.
Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Ms. Herbert, there was consensus of the committee to
endorse the Vista Guild North Tunnel Project.



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There was discussion about cohesiveness of upcoming public artwork projects and ongoing conversations with
artists.




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ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee conducted a meeting on
Tuesday December 9, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737 Main
Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, Chair
called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m.

 Attendee Name Title Status
 Tyler D. Bailey Chair Present
 Edward H. McDowell Member Present
 Tina N. Herbert Member Absent

INVOCATION

The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr. offered the invocation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes – Approved

Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation,
& Philanthropy Committee Meeting Minutes.

2. October 21, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
 Meeting Minutes – Approved

Upon a motion made by Mr. McDowell and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the October 21, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, &
Philanthropy Committee Meeting Minutes.




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 ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
 MEETING MINUTES
 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025


COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

3. Vista Neighborhood Association's Public Art Placement Project - Mr. Barton
 Walrath – Received as information.

Mr. Barton Walrath, Vista Neighborhood Association explained that the project had
been tabled for some time due to ongoing discussion regarding the replacement of
fencing and gates. He noted that there has been good dialogue and communication
with the Columbia Police Department, as well as assistance from Assistant City
Manager Henry Simons. The proposal has since changed in approach, and the
gateway will now be moved out to approximately one-third of the walkway from the
face of the tunnel. He explained that the purpose of the gateway is to serve as a
welcoming feature to Finlay Park and The Vista Greenway, while supporting
pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

There was discussion about not doing any structural work to the tunnel;
conversations with the Columbia Police Department and the Vista Guild; vendor
pricing for fencing; and the ability to secure the tunnel, if needed.

There was a consensus of the committee to bring the project back when it is ready
for City Council’s endorsement.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:11 am.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
City Clerk




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