New exhibits at 4 MAIN

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4 MAIN in Summerton continues to move forward with multiple projects. Currently 4 MAIN is home to a new exhibit. Museum curator Cedric Liqueur has again drawn the community together with donated and loaned items to showcase ships from days gone by. As with all of Liqueur’s exhibits, wood surges to the forefront. Wooden model ships sit on tables, and pictures of ships hang from the walls. Above, pirate flags swing from the rafters, adding the creative flair Liqueur is known for. “I always go back to wood,” said Liqueur. He feels pirates are interesting, especially with the local connections to well known pirates such as Blackbeard. “Pirate ships are made of wood, which goes back to 4 MAIN showcasing wood,” said Liqueur. “I tried to tie in the Santee River, because we did have logging boats called pole boats. But I couldn’t find a museum which had the photographs of those pole boats available.” Liqueur continues to seek projects for 4 MAIN exhibits which tie in to Summerton’s history, not only showcasing wood but educating the community about Summerton’s rich history. The project to paint the crosswalks in the intersection of Church Street and Main Street in Summerton has been altered. Although not informed of this restriction originally, Liqueur has been notified that it is not legal to paint intersections. However, this has not derailed the project to beautify the intersection with locally designed art. Already past the design selection phase, the painting project will simply be moved to the outer corners of local business lots which are at or near the intersection. On October 27, residents of all ages and skill levels will gather to help paint the chosen designs, with guidance from artist and teacher Angeletti Giordano. hughes sumerel from Greenville and Matthew Smith of Matthew Smith’s Guitar Studio in Columbia will provide musical entertainment during the painting event. Local art vendors, sidewalk painting, rock painting and free snacks and refreshments will round out the community event. All artwork submitted for consideration for the project will be on display inside 4 MAIN. Liqueur has also spent time on a new type of exhibit. Using recycled wood, he has created a scaled model of the Liberty Hill Colored School, which is still located on the property of Liberty Hill Church. The model is the first traveling exhibit from 4 MAIN, and Liqueur is excited to have secured the Harvin Clarendon County Library as its first stop. “I got the idea from traveling exhibits I’m always seeing, and I thought, ‘Why shouldn’t we have one like that?’” said Liqueur. The exhibit will sit atop a wire frame and recycled wood pedestal, and the model will sit under a plexiglass cover to protect it. Liqueur’s hope is that others will follow his example and create more traveling exhibits. “I spent all summer on working on this,” said Liqueur. “I’m really pleased with it.” In Clarendon County, the Liberty Hill Colored School was the colored elementary school in the 1940s, teaching children from first through seventh grades. There were originally four rooms in the schoolhouse. However, no interior pictures of the original building exist. The exhibit is modeled after the current condition of the school building as it sits today. Sponsors for the traveling exhibit include Bea Rivers, Clarendon County Historical Society and Attorney Renee Gaters. It will be on display as soon as the protective enclosures are ready. Liqueur continues to work on the downtown Summerton train exhibit, which will be on display as soon as its completed.