Arts, Historic Preservation and Philanthropy Committee
Regular MeetingColumbia, SC · October 21, 2025
Minutes
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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Agenda
ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025
The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a
meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 10:00 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, 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
PRESENTATIONS
2. The Creative Culture Art Expo Update - Mr. Rashawn Merrick, Founder / The
Creative Culture Brand
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
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Packet
ARTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION & PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025
The Arts, Historic Preservation & Philanthropy Committee will conduct a
Standing Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM 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 Daniel J. Rickenmann, Mayor
The Honorable Edward H. McDowell, Jr., District II The Honorable William Brennan, District
III The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large The Honorable Tina N. Herbert, District I
The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large
CALL TO ORDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 23, 2025 Arts, Historic Preservation, & Philanthropy Committee
Meeting Minutes
PRESENTATIONS
2. The Creative Culture Art Expo Update - Mr. Rashawn Merrick, Founder / The
Creative Culture Brand
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
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1
MEETING DATE: October 21, 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)
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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2
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk
SUBJECT: The Creative Culture Art Expo Update - Mr. Rashawn
Merrick, Founder / The Creative Culture Brand
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:
Updated: 10/17/2025 8:55 AM Page 1
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