Charleston Mural Faces Deterioration: Community Rallies to Preserve Local Art

Charleston’s Beloved Mural Faces Uncertain Future – Will it Be Saved?

Ah, the charming city of Charleston! Known for its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and delightful Southern hospitality, it is also home to a striking two-panel outdoor mural that has graced the corner of East Bay and Calhoun streets for years. But here’s the twist—this beautiful artwork is now in a race against time as it faces deterioration, making its future as uncertain as a stormy day on the harbor.

A Vision of the Future

The mural, crafted by talented artist David Boatwright, showcases a glimpse into Charleston’s potential future, presenting a stark contrast between its picturesque past and a not-so-distant “post-apocalyptic” scenario due to rising water levels. Boatwright explains, “It’s not all that dystopian, but on the right side, you’ve got water creeping up to the stoop level. It’s only about three feet high, but with climate change, it’s a reality we might face.” How prescient!

Time Takes its Toll

As the years roll by, the elements have taken their toll on Boatwright’s mural. “It’s really deteriorated a lot in just the last six months,” he mentions. That’s when he knew it was time to take action. But what could he do all alone? This is where the local heroes come in!

Meet the Local Advocates

Enter Douglas Hamilton from Charleston Hacks and Paul Turner, a digital archaeologist who specializes in preserving public art. “These guys just came out of the woodwork and sort of goaded me into doing something about it,” Boatwright shared, clearly grateful for their enthusiasm. With Hamilton advocating for tech entrepreneurship and creative spaces in Charleston, and Turner focused on digital preservation, this trio is on a mission to save a piece of Charleston’s artistic heritage.

Creating a Preservation Plan

Restoring the mural in its current location or moving it elsewhere is now on the table. “If the current building owners want to maintain it, that would be ideal,” Turner suggests. After all, it’s located in a spot that “gets a lot of eye traffic.” However, conversations with the owners have yet to yield concrete plans to care for the mural. This has led the team to consider a bold alternative: removing the mural before restoring it and possibly relocating it to the Navy Yard in North Charleston.

Art as a Destination

Hamilton has a vibrant vision. “There’s this idea of a placemaker, where you build something, and it creates reasons for visiting,” he noted. Imagine the mural being showcased in a space designed specifically for public art installations! With vast empty warehouses at the Navy Yard, the mural could find a new home where art can thrive once again.

A Bright Future?

The chalk is barely dry on this preservation initiative, but excitement is buzzing in the air. “We’re just getting started, but everything is moving in a positive direction,” Boatwright expressed. Once the logistics of safely relocating the mural are sorted out, the team expects to hit the ground running.

Support Local Art!

As Charleston embraces its creative spirit and looks ahead to the future, the community has a chance to rally around this cause. Whether it’s through raising funds, increasing awareness, or even just crossing fingers for a successful preservation outcome, every little bit helps. After all, protecting art is about more than just savings—it’s about ensuring Charleston remains a city where creativity thrives and stories are told for generations to come.

So, will Charleston’s cherished mural be saved and restored? Only time will tell, but the hearts and passions of the community are definitely behind it!