Welcome to Better World Studios – Arts with a Purpose!
Our Mission: To foster creative community through the arts for a more expressive, just, and sustainable world.
Our home is historic Hickman Hall, in the center of Graniteville, South Carolina. It was one of the first textile company towns in the south, dating to the late 1840s. Hickman Hall was erected in 1907 as a community center for the mill employees and their families. On January 6th , 2005, a train wreck and chlorine spill dealt the final death blow to the declining textile industry, but not to the community spirit of Graniteville.
Better World Studios embraces the opportunity to revive this strong tradition of community engagement, this time through the arts. We offer events, programs, and projects, where people of all ages and backgrounds can participate and explore creative expression: visual, performing, literary arts and more creative possibilities.
Hickman Hall is completely renovated to its original grandeur, with modern amenities: ADA compliant, elevator, kitchenettes on all three floors, and updated wiring. Centrally located in the CSRA, Better World Studios is committed to building bridges and forming partnerships that will expand and deepen creative community.
Each of our three floors offers distinct creative possibilities:
Ground Floor
The ground floor for working artists has six studio spaces, four spacious multi-use areas for art workshops and demonstrations, and wall spaces to rent for display.
Main Floor
The main floor has a generous events space, perfect for celebrations, meetings, public gatherings, and where monthly exhibits and events will be featured. It also offers a library and creative writing room for authors, poets, and thinkers.
Top Floor
The top floor is dedicated to fiber arts. With its coffered ceilings and large windows, this area honors Graniteville’s original industry with historic looms for weavers, modern sewing machines for quilters, seamstresses and fashion innovators, and a comfy corner for knitting, crocheting, mending and chat. We welcome teachers, learners and fiber-dedicated creators.
View & download our Information Sheet:
Would you like to learn more about us? Or do you want to share our story with others? Click the link below to view and download our information sheet: