This year, Lake City will join communities across the country in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Gateway Art Gallery is proud to be part of this milestone celebration in cooperation with the City and Columbia County, with several art-focused projects that invite the whole community to take part. This year’s plans include the return of our T-Shirt Design Contest, a brand-new city-wide rock hunt called Freedom ROCKS!, and opening our Art Lab! Open Studio nights so the public can help paint rocks at the Gallery.
Let Freedom Ring! Coloring Contest
First up, we’re hosting a coloring contest for children ages 8 and under as part of the 250th anniversary celebration. Kids will color a Liberty Bell–themed page, available soon at the Gallery and for download online. Completed entries can be returned to the Gallery, and the top three entries will receive prizes. All submitted coloring pages will be displayed in the Gallery windows, so our area’s youngest artists can be part of the celebration too. Launching in March—stay tuned!
- Open to ages 8 and under
- Child must be a Columbia County resident
- One entry per child
Freedom ROCKS! A Citywide Rock Hunt
New this year, we’re launching Freedom ROCKS!, a city-wide rock hunting event tied to the 250th anniversary celebration. With help from local artists, businesses, and organizations, 250 hand-painted rocks will be hidden throughout Lake City and nearby areas. City staff will begin placing the rocks around town starting in mid-April for people to find in the weeks leading up to July 4th.
A big thank-you to Dreamin’ & Driftin’ RV Resort for hosting the first round of rock painting, and to our very own Benny Ragland for prepping the rocks and helping get the project started. We’re also grateful to the many artists and partners who are helping paint and support this effort.
When you find a rock, you’ll be asked to:
- post a photo of it on the City’s Facebook page or
- fill out a short form on our website for those who don’t use Facebook
- include the # written on the back so we know which rock it was
- (optional) share it on your socials with any or all the hashtag #FreedomROCKSLakeCity
This helps us track which rocks have been found and where they’re turning up.
To make getting started easier, we’ll be sharing a scavenger-hunt-style list with hints about where rocks may be hidden, giving you a starting point without giving everything away. Stay tuned for details.
Art Lab! Open Studio — Open to the Public through April
To help make Freedom ROCKS! a true community project, we’re opening up our Art Lab! Open Studio nights to the public for February, March, and April. Normally a members-only open studio, Art Lab! will be open to everyone during these months so anyone can come help paint rocks at the Gallery.
Art Lab! takes place at the Gallery on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm, and supplies will be provided. No experience needed—just show up and be ready to paint! RSVP today
2nd Annual T-Shirt Design Contest
Our T-Shirt Design Contest returns for a second year, with designs inspired by America’s 250th anniversary and what freedom looks like here at home. Artists ages 16 and up are encouraged to submit their original designs. The winning artwork will be printed on commemorative shirts, which will go on sale starting in May at the Gallery and at several locations around town, including City Hall. More details on the theme guidelines, submission requirements, and deadlines will be announced soon.
Culmination: July 4th at the Fairgrounds
Everything will all come together during the City’s July 4th celebration at the Fairgrounds, as Lake City and Columbia County mark this historic anniversary with an evening of family-friend festivities. And we’ll be there celebrating in the way we know best—with community-made art!
We’re grateful to everyone helping bring these projects together and excited to see them unfold over the next few months. See you soon!
