The city of Clinton was alive with creativity and community spirit on Thursday evening as residents gathered at 110 Musgrove Street for the ART Clinton 2025 Awards Reception. The event, which capped off a month-long celebration of art hosted by ART Clinton and The Art Group (TAG), drew a large and diverse crowd—not just artists, but locals eager to take in the vibrant array of artwork, enjoy live music by Pitts Music, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts.
A wide variety of artistic styles and media were on display, showcasing the depth of talent in the region. From intricate textile works to bold 2D paintings and imaginative 3D sculptures, the evening served as both a celebration and recognition of artistic excellence in Clinton and beyond.
The awards portion of the night, sponsored by several local businesses, presented cash prizes to winners in three categories: Textile, 3D, and 2D Art. The top honor, the A2 Exterminators Best in Show Award, came with a $500 prize and was awarded to Survivor by Margie Edmonds. Reflecting on her win, Edmonds said, “I’m shocked, and I’m grateful to be here, this event is just such a great thing for the community.”
Juror Ann Wenz, a textile artist from Spartanburg and longtime visual arts professor at Spartanburg Methodist College, served as judge for the competition. Wenz, who once taught ART Clinton and TAG director Jeannie Browning, reflected on the judging process in her official juror statement:
“Selecting award winning pieces for the Art Clinton 2025 exhibition was a privilege and honor.
The quality of work submitted was impressive and reflects well on Clinton and the area. The variety of subject matter, use of materials, and techniques also speaks well for the artists.
Art reflects life. Art is alive and well in Clinton.”
— Ann Wenz, Juror
Director Jeannie Browning said she was “very grateful to all of the artists who submitted art this year” and spoke about plans for a permanent, public art gallery coming soon to North Broad Street. “I want it to be all about community. I want it to be about everybody… I want it to be inclusive, I want it to be representative of our area,” she said. “We have some wonderful things that are going on here in Clinton, and I want art to be a part of that.”
