Public Works Art Center is shining bright in the local arts scene. Located at 135 W. Richardson Ave., the nonprofit community center is an art hub for downtown Summerville + surrounding areas.

Offering free admission, the center features three galleries that change every six weeks + art camps and classes, yoga classes, special events, and artist studios. One fun feature of the center is its outreach vehicle, Artie the Artmobile — think of a mobile art classroom.

Artie the Artmobile is ready to roll. | Photo by the CHStoday team

The center's mission is "to be a cultural hub and creative incubator, allowing artists and visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to showcase, experience, and learn a variety of artistic disciplines, enhancing the vibrancy of downtown Summerville and beyond."

The history

The current building was previously the Summerville Commissioners of Public Works, which moved to North Cedar Street in 2018. Public Works Art Center opened in February of 2020, but quickly closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in June of 2020.

Current exhibitions

The center is currently running three exhibitions through Saturday, Sept. 9.

Rachel De Cuba | West Gallery | This show brings together work that thinks about circular entanglements and repetitive narratives.
HEART Inclusive Arts Show | East Gallery | This collection was created by adults with disabilities who want to grow and develop as artists.
Summerville Artist Guild | South Gallery | This exhibit features a community of artists with a variety of experiences.

The art center is filled with diverse pieces. | Photo by the CHStoday team.

Upcoming exhibition

Running from Friday, Sept. 15- Saturday, Nov. 11, the 2023 SPARK Community Exhibition will have the theme "Cultivate." This exhibit aims to give diverse artists a platform to display their creations. Artists are encouraged to submit a piece for consideration in the show — work is to be delivered between Saturday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 2.

Public Works Art Center is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out the calendar to keep up with the hustle and bustle in Summerville.