Art on the Trail

Art on the Trail

Current Exhibit

Creative Currents

on exhibit through 2027

River birch Trail

Trail entrance behind Moveable Feast
956 E Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302

Featuring artwork by local artists Abel Jackson and Shannon Kemp, this exhibit celebrates the health, nature, and community that define Spartanburg. The installations weave artistic creativity into the natural landscape, inviting you to experience the Daniel Morgan Trail System (The Dan) in an entirely new way.

about the artists

Abel Jackson

Yellow Jasmine

Abel R. Jackson III is a Charlotte-based painter and muralist committed to creating art that inspires and unites communities. A graduate of Winthrop University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Abel has spent over 20 years mastering airbrush, aerosol, and acrylic painting techniques. His murals are recognized for their vibrant colors and rich symbolism, celebrating heritage, resilience, and unity. Through large-scale public artworks, Abel transforms spaces into powerful reflections of history and culture. He believes in art’s ability to bridge divides, evoke emotion, and spark conversation. Abel is dedicated to using his work to uplift and engage the communities he serves.

Learn More

Shannon Kemp

Carolina In Bloom

"I wanted to do artwork that would blend in with the surroundings, draw attention, and make passerby want to learn more about the plant life they may see along the trail. Gardening is a hobby of mine; I plant native flowers and plants in my yard to help feed the bees and other insects."

Shannon's work shows her love for gardening, the environment and her home state. She is a Spartanburg native with no plans to leave. She is married to her best friend and fellow artist Jeremy, with whom she has two smart and funny sons. Foster, the oldest, is entering his senior year at Wofford College. Mason, the youngest, is entering his junior year at Converse University. She has worked as a graphic designer for over 25 years, and also likes to dabble in photography and painting.

Bringing Art to Nature

A Creative Vision for the DAN

PAL Spartanburg is transforming the Daniel Morgan Trail System into a vibrant canvas for public art! Through the Public Art on the Trail initiative, we are partnering with the Spartanburg Art Museum, Wofford College, the City of Spartanburg, the SC Arts Commission, and Spartanburg Water to bring inspiring, community-centered artwork to the River Birch Trail.

This unique project will feature bold, dynamic artwork wrapped around horizontal sewer line poles—turning functional infrastructure into artistic landmarks. The result? A visually stunning trail that celebrates movement, health, sustainability, and community.

This is just the first phase of a multi-round project. As we secure additional funding, we will continue to commission new works of art, making the trail an evolving space for artistic expression.

why public art on the trail

Why Public Art on the Trail?

The Daniel Morgan Trail System isn’t just a place to walk, run, and bike—it’s a space for community, storytelling, and creativity. By incorporating public art, we aim to:

Celebrate Local Culture

Showcase the talent and vision of Spartanburg’s artists

Enhance the Trail Experience

Make trails more engaging, inspiring, and welcoming

Connect People & Place

Use art to bring the community together through shared stories

Transform Infrastructure

Thanks to Spartanburg Water, these sewer line poles will become trail landmarks, demonstrating how art can reimagine everyday spaces

A Collaboration of Art, Education & Sustainability

This initiative is made possible through the collaboration of PAL Spartanburg and:

Spartanburg Art Museum

Bringing artistic expertise and creative leadership to the project.

Wofford College

Engaging students and faculty in the creative process and fostering academic connections to public art.

Spartanburg Water

Providing the unique canvas for this installation by allowing artwork to be wrapped around sewer line poles and critical funding support.

City of Spartanburg

Supporting the integration of public art into community spaces and enhancing the trail experience for residents and visitors.

SC Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts

Providing critical funding support to make this creative vision a reality.

Together, we are working to create a trail experience that merges art, environment, and community engagement.

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