Kimberly Spears (artistic director) is a graduate of Winthrop University who served as Executive Director of the Anderson Arts Center from1993-2017. She led a capital campaign to raise $4 million to renovate a 33,000 sq ft. warehouse for galleries, classrooms, and an artist co-op. She has been the driving force in bringing public art to Anderson and building the partnerships necessary to make it successful. As this project neared completion, Kimberly was named as Economic Development Director for the City of Anderson.

Kimberly first became involved in the Church Street Heritage project through her participation in a 2009 committee to explore a public art to honor the era. Over the last decade, as plans progressed, those involved in the project constantly sought Kimberly’s advice and expertise to help move the project forward. In 2015 when the City of Anderson sought funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Anderson Arts Center was named as the key partner so that the project could benefit from Kimberly’s deep experience in the public art arena.

Like other members of the team, Kimberly has served in several capacities to make the project come to fruition. One of her primary roles was to seek, attract and secure a sculpture artist through a national call. She assembled an outstanding panel of jurors and led the process to attract internationally known artist Madeline Wiener to create marble sculptures as part of the Church Street installation.

Kimberly is an Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award winner, the highest award in the state of South Carolina for art. She is past-president of the SC Arts Alliance, has been active in downtown revitalization and has organized five major public art projects. She has served statewide as a juror, on grant panels and has been honored for her outstanding contributions to the arts.