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MAULDIN CULTURAL CENTER
e City of Mauldin welcomes Keira Kitchings as
the new Mauldin Cultural Center director. She brings
a wealth of experience and ability with her in the role
of director. Having served the Arts Council of York
County, the American Culinary Federation in planning
and several non-pro ts, Kitchings is continuously
working to add new events and programming for the
citizens of Mauldin through the center.
“I plan for this center to be the hub of culture and
the arts within the community,” said Kitchings, who
hit the ground running. is summer, she expedited the renovation of
two classrooms for e Art Haven School of the Arts, which had been
operating in the Golden Strip for 19 years. Looking to relocate, they
found their new home in Mauldin. roughout the week, e Art Haven
o ers classes in pottery, watercolor, sketching, ink and pencil drawing,
and other multimedia arts to youth and adults alike. In addition to visual
arts, the Cultural Center continues to o er lessons in vocal arts, guitar,
wood working, and ballroom dance. e most recent addition to the
roster is youth cooking, classes where kids ages 4 to 14 try their hand at
culinary arts.
With the summer season came two new series — Every Friday evening
in June, Beachin’ Fridays presents live performances by local beach
bands. Saturday mornings from June through August are reserved for
the Mauldin Downtown Market, which hosts more than 30 local produce
vendors, local restaurant vendors, local artisans and a kids zone.
For the past six years, the Cultural Center has partnered with the SC
Barbecue Association, the parks, recreation, public works, police and re
departments to host Sooie., Mauldin’s Annual BBQ Cook-o . Twenty- ve
cookers come from all over South Carolina to show o their barbecue
skills. Friday evening kicks o the event with live music and an “Anything
Butt” competition, where cookers can cook anything but pulled pork. e
event continues Saturday a ernoon with another live band, a kids zone
and a sanctioned pulled pork competition. Visitors can purchase tasting
passes for the event, allowing them to taste samples from each cooker
and vote on their favorite; they can also purchase pints to take some ’cue
home for later.
is year, Kitchings expanded the Cultural Center’s performance series
with the inaugural Broadway Under the Stars, an event that showcases
the talents of local theater professionals performing Broadway favorites
live in the center’s outdoor amphitheater. Spring will also yield a series of
comedians, the rst being James Gregory, “America’s funniest comedian.”
But don’t worry; Mauldin hasn’t forgotten about winter festivities. Part-
nering with the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce, Mauldin’s hol-
iday e orts have tripled resulting in Mauldin’s 12 Days of Christmas. e
program runs Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 and will be jam-packed with events
including Santa’s workshop, pictures with Santa, a tree lighting, a parade,
an outdoor movie, a spirits tasting, musical performances and more.
Kitchings plans to expand current programming and create new events
for the Mauldin Cultural Center. For a schedule of events and classes,
visit call (864) 335-4862.