Apr 192 min read

Turtle Art Rocks Chapin - CCAL Launches All New Community Art Project

woman in pink shirt sanding fiberglass turtle form

CCAL is excited to announce the kickoff of a very special new community art project

We invite all artists to take part!

CCAL is once again partnering with the Town of Chapin to create some exciting public art with the goal of shining a light on the vibrant arts scene in Chapin and surrounding lake communities. The concept for the project – artful turtles – is a way to showcase the native wildlife common to the Lake Murray area. This year’s highly anticipated public art project features a community scavenger hunt and auction culminating at the 2024 Chapin Labor Day Festival which draws over 20,000 visitors each year.

CCAL has been an active part of the community since we were established in 1995 and love the chance to give back to the town. Through this project, CCAL will assign artists from across the community to create public works of art intended for display throughout town.

The art will consist of creatively designed fiberglass turtles. This project is a wonderful opportunity to show the vital role the arts play in our thriving community as well as celebrate the natural beauty of our area. At least one turtle will be installed on the Chapin Nature Trail and others will be auctioned during the Chapin Labor Day Festival. Funds raised from the auction will go towards future community art projects the League is planning for Chapin and beyond. All the artistic turtles will be on display at sponsoring businesses for the duration of the Scavenger Hunt from July 2 - August 31. After Labor Day, select turtles will become part of the growing "Chapin Arts Trail" which spotlights community arts throughout the Greater Chapin area. A total of 15 turtles will be produced.

We need your support to continue to make a difference for the artists and art appreciation in our community.

Learn more about the project HERE.

Apply to be one of the artists on the project HERE.

Activity Calendar

Online Application Period: April 15 – May 15

Notification of Acceptance: May 18

Primed Blank Turtle Forms Picked up at CCP: May 20

Completed Turtles returned to CCP: June 28*

(*please let us know if you’re done sooner, we’re looking for a few good pieces for an advance display)

Turtles installed at Sponsored Locations: July 2

Scavenger Hunt for Sponsor Hosted Turtles: July 2 – Aug 31

Labor Day Festivities: Sept 2

(CCAL Booth, People’s Choice Ballots, Silent Auction of Art)

Donated Turtles delivered to Town to be Installed: Sept 9

Public Site Turtles Public Dedication to Chapin Art Trail Map/info: Sept 13

About Us

Crooked Creek Art League (CCAL) is based in Chapin, South Carolina. We have over 150 members from all across the midlands, including painters of all mediums, photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists. All are welcome. CCAL is chartered as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of federal tax law. We are a fully non-profit dynamic organization and depend on our members, business partners and donors to help us continue to grow the visual arts in our area in many varied ways. We provide on-location art exhibits at businesses, associate juror training, host multiple art shows each year, install public artwork in the community, and occasionally provide arts supply funding to our local schools.