Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Mr. Willard Jacobs as the inaugural artist of the month. Beginning this month, the Artist’s Spotlight honors artists and supporters of the arts who have made a significant impact in Darlington County.
Mr. Jacobs’ recognition results both from his accomplishments as a sculptor, and his selfless dedication to the arts. His public devotion to the arts began during his early role as the Director of the Hartsville Community Arts program. His leadership and contributions paved the way for the currently thriving arts scene in Darlington County.
In the seventies and eighties, Mr. Jacobs was well known for establishing the Hartsville Community Arts program. He did so by helping create a variety of activities that were offered in the Community Center Building (present day facility of Black Creek Arts Council). While having a full-time job as an Industrial Engineer at Sonoco, he also dedicated time to support other programs in the arts. His contribution and membership included those at Kalmia Arts, the Historic Museum Commission, and the Hartsville Community Players. Mr. Jacobs’ was involvement in many of the organizations that provided for the formation of Black Creek Arts Council.
Along with his involvement in community arts programs, Mr. Jacobs has been creating artwork for over fifty years. Sculpting has been Mr. Jacobs’ life-long passion, but his artistic pursuits go beyond this art form. To this day he continues to study many other art forms and styles. Recently, he has taken time to perfect his sculpting by engaging himself in the Master Sculptors program at Brookgreen Gardens. Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve located near Murrells Inlet. Mr. Jacobs had the opportunity to experience three weeklong courses (within the last five years) with world-renowned Master Sculptors. Through his time with the Master Sculptors, Mr. Jacobs has been inspired to keep mastering his craft.
“Keep mastering” is relevant phrase for Mr. Jacobs. Throughout the years, he has been recognized for his talents as a sculptor. In 1975, the Florence City-County Bicentennial Commission asked Mr. Jacobs to create a sculpture in celebration of America’s 200th birthday. The sculpture (entitled “We, the People”) took him nine months to complete. It was also the longest time he ever devoted a single work. During the sculpture’s production, he was also working full-time at Sonoco. Mrs. Judy Jacobs, his wife, recalled a statement he made in which he worked nights and weekends to complete the sculpture in time for the Bicentennial celebration. In 2005, Mr. Jacobs was asked to refurbish the sculpture. After the refurbishment, the sculpture was rededicated. The sculpture is still standing today and can be seen at the Florence City-County Complex.
Mr. Jacobs’ gift of being able to create fine sculptures from clay, metal, and plastic has been noticed by a variety of organizations and institutions, including his church. The Altar Guild at Wesley United Methodist Church of Hartsville had for Mr. Jacobs to create a statue of Jesus for them. He has also completed a sculpture displaying the figures of The Last Supper. This particular piece will be displayed in the All Saints Hall at Wesley United Methodist Church
“Many people are surprised when they see Willard's artwork because of the low-key approach he has when it comes to creating his art”, states Mrs. Jacobs. Although Mr. Jacobs has received recognition for his artwork throughout his career in sculpting, she revealed that he enjoys creating artwork mostly for his own enjoyment.
Black Creek Arts Council is proud to dedicate the first Artist’s Spotlight to Mr. Willard Jacobs. “He has made a tremendous contribution towards the flourishing arts programs in the Darlington County community. We thank Willard for helping to lay down the foundation for this success,” states BCAC board member, Mrs. Frankie Bush.
Mr. Jacobs is an artist who continues to grow both in his art and in his character. His being honored through this month’s Artist’s Spotlight reflects BCAC’s current gallery theme; “Every Child Is An Artist”. Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of Black Creek Arts Council, states “Mr. Jacobs truly epitomizes the solution to Pablo Picasso’s quote that ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.’”
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
Mr. Jacobs’ recognition results both from his accomplishments as a sculptor, and his selfless dedication to the arts. His public devotion to the arts began during his early role as the Director of the Hartsville Community Arts program. His leadership and contributions paved the way for the currently thriving arts scene in Darlington County.
In the seventies and eighties, Mr. Jacobs was well known for establishing the Hartsville Community Arts program. He did so by helping create a variety of activities that were offered in the Community Center Building (present day facility of Black Creek Arts Council). While having a full-time job as an Industrial Engineer at Sonoco, he also dedicated time to support other programs in the arts. His contribution and membership included those at Kalmia Arts, the Historic Museum Commission, and the Hartsville Community Players. Mr. Jacobs’ was involvement in many of the organizations that provided for the formation of Black Creek Arts Council.
Along with his involvement in community arts programs, Mr. Jacobs has been creating artwork for over fifty years. Sculpting has been Mr. Jacobs’ life-long passion, but his artistic pursuits go beyond this art form. To this day he continues to study many other art forms and styles. Recently, he has taken time to perfect his sculpting by engaging himself in the Master Sculptors program at Brookgreen Gardens. Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve located near Murrells Inlet. Mr. Jacobs had the opportunity to experience three weeklong courses (within the last five years) with world-renowned Master Sculptors. Through his time with the Master Sculptors, Mr. Jacobs has been inspired to keep mastering his craft.
“Keep mastering” is relevant phrase for Mr. Jacobs. Throughout the years, he has been recognized for his talents as a sculptor. In 1975, the Florence City-County Bicentennial Commission asked Mr. Jacobs to create a sculpture in celebration of America’s 200th birthday. The sculpture (entitled “We, the People”) took him nine months to complete. It was also the longest time he ever devoted a single work. During the sculpture’s production, he was also working full-time at Sonoco. Mrs. Judy Jacobs, his wife, recalled a statement he made in which he worked nights and weekends to complete the sculpture in time for the Bicentennial celebration. In 2005, Mr. Jacobs was asked to refurbish the sculpture. After the refurbishment, the sculpture was rededicated. The sculpture is still standing today and can be seen at the Florence City-County Complex.
Mr. Jacobs’ gift of being able to create fine sculptures from clay, metal, and plastic has been noticed by a variety of organizations and institutions, including his church. The Altar Guild at Wesley United Methodist Church of Hartsville had for Mr. Jacobs to create a statue of Jesus for them. He has also completed a sculpture displaying the figures of The Last Supper. This particular piece will be displayed in the All Saints Hall at Wesley United Methodist Church
“Many people are surprised when they see Willard's artwork because of the low-key approach he has when it comes to creating his art”, states Mrs. Jacobs. Although Mr. Jacobs has received recognition for his artwork throughout his career in sculpting, she revealed that he enjoys creating artwork mostly for his own enjoyment.
Black Creek Arts Council is proud to dedicate the first Artist’s Spotlight to Mr. Willard Jacobs. “He has made a tremendous contribution towards the flourishing arts programs in the Darlington County community. We thank Willard for helping to lay down the foundation for this success,” states BCAC board member, Mrs. Frankie Bush.
Mr. Jacobs is an artist who continues to grow both in his art and in his character. His being honored through this month’s Artist’s Spotlight reflects BCAC’s current gallery theme; “Every Child Is An Artist”. Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of Black Creek Arts Council, states “Mr. Jacobs truly epitomizes the solution to Pablo Picasso’s quote that ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.’”
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
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