December 15, 2025
The Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) has been awarded a $29,988 General Operating Support (GOS) grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC), which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant supports PRSF’s ongoing art initiatives which inspire people with the beauty of the Port Royal Sound and encourage people to explore connections between art and conservation.
2025 kicked off with the installation of a refreshed dolphin exhibit in the spring, which spotlights a vibrant, eye-catching painting by local artist Amiri Farris. We then hosted our second annual Photography Contest over the summer, collecting over 200 photo submissions from over 100 amateur and professional photographers. All submitted photographs highlight the flora, fauna, landscape, and cultural snapshots of the Port Royal Sound, and were displayed in the Maritime Center for the month of September. In the fall, we hosted our annual Recycled Art contest, showcasing stunning art pieces created with collected materials to raise awareness about litter in the Port Royal Sound. Throughout the year, we introduced new art activities as part of our public STEAM programming, including paper making and indigo dye workshops.
As PRSF looks ahead to 2026, we are enthusiastic about new opportunities to expand our art offerings, including expanded and enhanced public programming and the installation of new art displays throughout our campus. PRSF is also excited to celebrate our 10th annual STEAM Festival on August 15, 2026 with an event that is bigger and better than ever. In addition to an array of vendors from local trades, businesses, and universities, this FREE festival highlights local artists and invites the public to participate in community art projects inspired by the environment, including paintings and mosaics.
“This support from the South Carolina Arts Commission gives us the freedom to be creative in how we plan programs and events, encouraging staff to always seek new and exciting ways to connect people with the beauty of the environment that surrounds us. It’s difficult not to be inspired by the Port Royal Sound—you feel like you have to take a picture or make a painting when you catch sight of the sunset over the water or wildlife in the marsh. Our arts initiatives give people a place to channel that inspiration and pair it with impactful conversations about conservation.”
-Kat Armstrong, PRSF Naturalist and Special Projects Coordinator
The mission of SCAC is to expand access to the arts and foster creativity for all South Carolinians, envisioning a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences. Through arts programs supported by SCAC, PRSF can better achieve its mission to conserve the Port Royal Sound for the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of this area. PRSF encourages people to be inspired by the beauty of the natural world, deepen their connection to the local environment, and advocate for its conservation. PRSF is deeply grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm of SCAC to cultivate the creativity and well-being of our community.
