A vast array of arts organizations and civic
groups give Lancaster a touch of class.

The Lancaster community offers a variety of cultural arts. For starters, take a stroll in downtown Lancaster, which features Ralph Waldrop's murals.

The corner of South main and East Arch streets illustrates native Lancastrians involved in everyday community activities. Directly across the street, a ceramic tile mural depicts downtown Lancaster in the early 1900s.

Lancaster's Wall of Fame, on the corner of South Main and Dunlap streets, honors community natives who have contributed significantly to society, including: Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States; Charles Duke, astronaut; Nina Mae Mckinney, actress and Broadway star; Elliott White Springs, industrialist; and Dr. J. Marion Sims, the "father of modern gynecology."

Carolina Legends, a bluegrass, celtic and old-time country festival held each year in May, is a fun-filled day of picking and fiddling. The event features the "legends and pioneers" of bluegrass, old-time country and celtic music, and also includes traditional craft demonstrations, food and other festivities. This festival is co-sponsored by the Lancaster County Council of the Arts; South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; Andrew Jackson State Park; Springs Foundation Inc.; and Duracell USA.

Lancaster County Council of the Arts, chartered in 1977 to promote the arts, is an ever growing umbrella organization with six arts-producing affiliates, two arts-supporting affiliates and 375 business and individual members.

The Council administers Project TAP, the artist residency program in the Lancaster County Schools. It also sponsors on-going arts classes for children, adolescents, adults and senoir citizens. Showcase Arts Program is a weekly integrated program for children and adults with disablities. Working with an arts coordinator and high school/college volunteer interns, participants experience many aspects of the arts including theater, visual arts and music. In addition, Summer ARTS CAMP is offered and Cold Weather Camps are held from November-February for children.

The LCCA provides art exhibits at The Gallery at 211 West Dunlap Street and the Frances Ley Springs Gallery at Springs Memorial Hospital. Lancaster Hands, the LCCA's sales gallery, is located at The Gallery. Here the public can purchase original arts and crafts created by Lancaster County artists. The LCCA offers seminars and workshops and provides funding for local artists and non-profit organizations through its Quarterly Grants Program. Lancaster is one of 13 subgrants sites for the South Carolina Arts Commission. Special projects such as the Photographic Tour of Places of Worship and a documentary on Irish and American traditional music enhance the quality arts opportunities available.

Lancaster Art League comprises local visual artists who gather monthly for informative meetings featuring lectures and demonstrations. The Art League sponsors the Marian Hagins Memorial Art Show, which is exhibited annually at the LCCA.

Lancaster County Community Playhouse has entertained the community for more than two decades with musicals, comedies, dramas and children's productions. Past performances have included The King and I, Charlotte's Web, Annie, You Can't Take It With You, Father of the Bride and Hello, Dolly. The 1999 season features Yankee Doodle and Beverly Hillbillies. The 2000 season will include Driving Miss Daisy and Peter Pan.

The Lancaster Chamber Choir is a 26-member group which performs choral masterworks. The choir presents two major concerts per year, and membership is by audition.

There are opportunities for quilters through membership in Hickory Nut Quilters or Lancaster Quilters Guild. These groups sponsor a quilt show the last weekend in January at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, and participate in Carolina Legends.

The Lancaster community offers a variety of membership opportunities in clubs and organizations.

Civic groups include Lions, Rotary, Civitans, Optimists and Sertoma clubs. Garden clubs are numerous in the area. Other organizations focus on culture, religion, history, literature, the arts, music and education.

Fraternal and veterans groups include the American Legion, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Disabled American Veterans and others.

Professional and trade groups include the Bar Association, IAAP, Board of Realtors and Home Builders Association, as well as medical organizations and auxiliaries.

Lancaster County has a number of service and charitable organizations and social agencies dedicated to improving life for its citizens. Local organizations such as HOPE, the Salvation Army and Christian Services provide emergency assistance. Local offices of national agencies such as United Way and Red Cross offer individual and organization assistance. Support and peer counseling, mental health and crisis assistance organizations meet specific needs of residents.

Hundreds of Lancaster County youth participate in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts activities. Other opportunities for youth include the Junior Civitans, 4-H Clubs, Youth Conservation Board and hospital volunteers. Many area churches also sponsor programs for children of all ages.

Senior citizens in Lancaster are served by the Lancaster County Council on Aging. Many local seniors are members of the Leroy Springs Senior Citizens and other church-sponsored organizations which provide social and travel opportunities. Retired businesspersons can also join the Chamber-sponsored Council of Retired Businesspersons.

Special interest groups include Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, MADD, TOPS, and Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park.

A complete list of area clubs and organizations, including contact information is available at the Chamber office.