Elk City

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

This planter box was designed by Bernice Deakins as part of a project to bring more art to Charleston's West Side. The Charleston Main Streets West Side Urban Design Committee commissioned four such planters, each limited to a palette of primary colors. Further funding for the project came from Charleston Urban Renewal Authority and a host of private donors. The planters were built from scratch and painted in situ. Deakins' contribution features the words "Elk City" on the front, as West Washington Street serves as the entrance to the area commonly known as Elk City. The backside of the box depicts what appear to be daffodils. The piece was completed in 2017.

Images

Elk City.

Sources

Artists paint planter boxes to beautify Charleston’s West Side, Charleston Gazette-Mail. June 23rd 2017. Accessed January 27th 2021. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/_arts__entertainment/artists-paint-planter-boxes-to-beautify-charleston-s-west-side/article_821964ce-37d5-51ab-9037-5a817977515a.html.

Hamilton, Judy E. Canadian artist and art “encourager” Bernice Deakins begins art retreat business, Charleston Gazette-Mail. July 13th 2014. Accessed January 27th 2021. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/canadian-artist-and-art-encourager-bernice-deakins-begins-art-retreat-business/article_0e07f9de-2bcf-51b5-b752-0b7357919623.html.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Office of Public Art, Charleston WV. Accessed January 27, 2021. https://gisweb.cityofcharleston.org/storymaps/arttour/#.