The Spartanburg Art Museum has long served as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape, offering free access to visual art, educational programming and community engagement opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, the museum presents rotating exhibitions, outreach initiatives and special events designed to make the arts accessible to all. Admission to the museum is always free, reinforcing its mission to foster creativity, dialogue and connection through the arts.
Currently on display at the Spartanburg Art Museum is In Extremis, a multimedia installation by North Carolina–based artist Claudia O’Steen that examines the transitional and often fragile landscapes of South Carolina. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how environmental change, erosion and human intervention shape the region’s coastal and natural environments.
O’Steen’s work combines found materials such as erosion-control equipment and sandbags with projectors, digital imagery and sculptural elements. Together, these components create an immersive experience that reflects both the physical and emotional impact of environmental transformation. Through layered visuals and materials, In Extremis explores the tension between preservation and loss, highlighting the vulnerability of landscapes many South Carolinians know well.
The exhibition runs through March 28 and is on view during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to take their time moving through the installation, as its shifting imagery and spatial design offer new perspectives from multiple vantage points.
The museum hosted an opening reception for In Extremis last week, welcoming community members to experience the exhibition firsthand. The free event included light refreshments and provided guests an opportunity to engage with the work in a social setting while celebrating the museum’s continued commitment to contemporary art. The reception reflected the museum’s role as both a cultural and communal gathering space in Spartanburg.
In addition to visiting exhibitions, community members can support the Spartanburg Art Museum’s programming in several ways. Contributions and memberships through the museum’s 1907 Society help fund exhibitions, educational outreach and free admission for the public. The museum relies largely on individual donations to sustain its mission and expand its impact throughout the community.
Looking ahead, the Spartanburg Art Museum will host its annual 1907 Society Speakeasy Gala on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chapman Cultural Center Theater Lobby. The evening will feature drinks, small bites, games, jazzy music and a live artist auction, with all proceeds supporting the museum’s exhibitions, outreach and programming. Readers are encouraged to mark their calendars for the event and consider attending in support of the arts in Spartanburg.
For more information about In Extremis, museum hours or ways to support the Spartanburg Art Museum, visit spartanburgartmuseum.org.
