Building Bridges Through Art Exhibition with Congaree Riverkeeper

Building Bridges Through Art: 2026 Exhibition with Congaree Riverkeeper

Presented by Stormwater Studios

Exhibition Dates:
July 8–18, 2026

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday–Sunday | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Artists in Conversation:
TBD

Reception:
July 16, 2026 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Building Bridges Through Art is a community-centered exhibition series that highlights diversity, fosters understanding, and strengthens connections between artists and nonprofit organizations working on important social issues.

Each exhibition pairs artists with a featured partner organization whose mission aligns with themes present in the artists’ work or lived experiences. The series encourages community engagement, dialogue, and collaboration through exhibitions and public programs designed to deepen awareness and inspire connection.

2026 Featured Partner Organization: Congaree Riverkeeper

Congaree Riverkeeper works to protect and improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreation along the Broad, Lower Saluda, and Congaree Rivers throughout the Midlands region. The organization supports these waterways through advocacy, education, volunteer cleanups, water-quality monitoring, and policy engagement at the local, state, and federal levels, while also holding polluters accountable through enforcement of environmental laws.

This exhibition is inspired by the mission of Congaree Riverkeeper and the theme, “Clean Water, Healthy Rivers.” Artists were invited to explore the environmental, cultural, recreational, and community significance of the Broad, Lower Saluda, and Congaree Rivers while highlighting the importance of protecting these vital waterways for future generations.

The Broad, Lower Saluda, and Congaree Rivers provide drinking water, support diverse wildlife habitats, offer recreational opportunities, and contribute to the natural beauty of the Midlands. At the same time, they face increasing challenges from pollution, development, and other environmental pressures. Through their work, artists were encouraged to reflect on the connections between people and rivers and to inspire stewardship of these invaluable natural resources.

In response to this theme, artists created work that explores the relationship between people and rivers, highlights local ecosystems and wildlife habitats, reflects environmental stewardship and conservation, addresses challenges facing waterways, celebrates recreation and access to shared natural resources, and inspires awareness, dialogue, and community action.

Featured Artists:

• Aerin Chafa
• Anna Grace Lafaye
• Bethany Newton
• Blakely Sheely
• Brandon Huggins
• Cam Moore
• Caroline Moore
• Ceara Tellez
• Charles Conyers
• Charles Hite
• Chilly Waters
• Christopher Infante
• Christopher Lane
• Clay Burnette
• Connie Lippert
• Daniel Spencer
• David Yaghjian
• Dayna Mitchell
• Diane Gresham
• Ed Madden
• Ellen Emerson Yaghjian
• Emelyn Guild
• Emma Larson
• Flavia Lovatelli
• Fred Townsend
• Glenna Barlow
• Greta Dobe 
• Harry McFadden
• Ivan Segura
• JAKEEM DA DREAM
• James Shepherd
• J.A. Jean Capalbo 
• Jean Gonzalez Lomasto
• Jennifer Potter
• StyleQueen
• Kalah Crawford
• Karen Murphy
• Katie W. Free 
• Kayleigh Swifka
• Keith Tolen
• KELA
• Ken Tips
• Kirstin Dow
• Leila Heidari
• Lisa Ann Stamper
• Lorien Owens
• Lucy Bailey
• Marion Mason
• Mark Watke
• Max Hardy
• McKenna Brandon
• Michelle Curran
• Mike Williams
• Mitra Kavandi
• Nathalie Watson
• Peyton Jarrett
• Ree Wolfe
• Robin Counts 
• Sarah Bauer
• Scott Neely 
• Shadai Marshall
• Shannon Purvis Barron
• Shaquella Gantt
• Sofia St.Marie
• Stephen Chesley
• Susan Lenz
• Tammy Quarles
• Tayler Simon
• Timothy McDonald
• Tommy McRoberts
• Udorji Oji
• Valerie Guerzon
• Wesley Shaver