USCA art professor paints his mark on downtown canvas

A familiar downtown space is getting a facelift, thanks to one of University of South Carolina Aiken's own.

USCA art Professor Joseph Kameen's original design has been selected for a new mural in The Alley, where his work will become part of Aiken's growing public art scene.

"I'm so excited to have been chosen to work on this project, and it's an enormous honor to have my work in such an important public space. I always enjoy the opportunity to work on a large scale, and this project also came at a really great time to align with my teaching at the university," Kameen said.

"I recently received a grant through the provost, Dr. Phillip Bridgmon, to purchase iPads and creative software for my students. These are the same programs I used to plan this mural, and it's great to have this direct example available so that I can walk them through the process in the classroom."

Earlier this year, the City of Aiken Arts Commission issued an open call inviting artists with ties to the Aiken area to submit original designs for the project.

"The design for the mural was inspired by cutaway illustrations — the kind that might show the intricate inner workings of a submarine or a factory. I imagined all of the amazing creative work happening inside of the buildings in Aiken, and I wanted to give a peek into those practices and invite the community to engage and become involved," Kameen said.

"My hope is to inspire viewers to continue to imagine and look for all of the creativity that lives in this community."

Including Kameen's, the commission received more than 20 submissions.

"This is an exciting moment for the city and for the Aiken Downtown Cultural District," said Wendy Hirsch, chair of the City of Aiken Arts Commission. "To see the first new piece of public art for the Cultural District become a reality is incredibly rewarding.

"Joseph's mural gives us an opportunity to celebrate the creativity that already exists in Aiken while adding something new and engaging for residents and visitors to experience downtown. We hope this is the first of many projects that continue to bring art into our public spaces."

The mural is located within the Aiken Downtown Cultural District, an area officially designated through the South Carolina Arts Commission's Cultural District program.

Kameen's design will replace an equestrian-themed mural which has been in The Alley for several years. That mural will be moved to a different location in town. The transition reflects the City's ongoing commitment to public art by honoring existing work while creating opportunities for new artistic expression within the Aiken Downtown Cultural District.

Kameen, originally from Pittsburgh, teaches drawing, painting and digital art. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and sculpture from Boston University and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Indiana University Bloomington. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including exhibitions in New York, London, Berlin and Greece.

His paintings explore the relationships among experience, memory and identity, often finding opportunities for reflection in everyday spaces, objects and experiences.

The public is invited to attend the unveiling of the new mural from 5:30-6 p.m. Sept. 10 and celebrate Kameen's addition to downtown Aiken's growing collection of public art. Immediately following the unveiling, attendees are invited to walk around the corner to the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens Street SW, for the opening reception of Kameen's latest exhibition, "Everything I Have." The reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through Oct. 15.

"It has been a really wonderful experience working with everyone in the city who helped make this project happen," Kameen said.

"I would particularly like to thank Eric Gordon, tourism manager for the City of Aiken, and the members of the Aiken Arts Commission for their support".

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