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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-668 SO AS TO DESIGNATE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTIST JONATHAN GREEN AS THE OFFICIAL STATE ARTIST.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) The General Assembly finds that the works of acclaimed artist Jonathan Green, born in Gardens Corner, a rural area along South Carolina's southern coast, so richly depict and document rural culture, and in particular his rich Gullah ancestry, that the artist is worthy of the designation as official state artist for the State of South Carolina.
(B) The first individual of Gullah ancestry to train at a professional art school, Jonathan Green created an acclaimed body of work that documents this rural culture, which emerged among West African slaves who lived on the Sea Islands or along the adjacent coast of South Carolina and Georgia.
(C) Jonathan Green's art honors the culture in which he grew up and portrays the values of nature, family, community, and spirituality that provide life with purpose and meaning. He often paints people working their fields, fishing at the shore, dancing, swimming, or going to church as he illustrates daily life in his artistic works to create a distinctive tapestry of the culture. He is also known for his captivating works exemplifying the fascinating history of the rice culture in the State.
(D) Celebrating cultural traditions of the past through art is of great importance to the State and its citizens, especially to the African American community, and artist Jonathan Green has contributed in a lasting and memorable way towards this end through his unique artistic talent, and the members of the General Assembly find it appropriate to designate him as the official state artist in order to commemorate his enduring legacy of remembering Gullah culture as it comes to vivid life on his canvases.
SECTION 2. Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 1-1-668. Jonathan Green is designated as the official state artist."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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