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Greenwood Has Its Own Visionary
September 6, 2009
By JOSEPH SITARZ
Index-Journal Features/Accent Editor
Greenwood, SC - Jon O. Holloway may just be Greenwood's own Walt Disney.
The photographer's former studio on Grace Street could be considered his Disneyland and an indication of what was to come. He created a space for work, as well as a back yard for play. He took wood made into planks that became a one-of-a-kind fence (stockade). Within those walls, Holloway shared his world and entertained friends wit music, fire, food and drink.
The gallery takes on a life of its own at night when the evening sky is viewed through the skylights dotting the second floor roof. On a clear night, the stars are a sight to see.
| While on Grace Street, he put together a once-a-year musical gathering of performers he liked with a selected audience of his friends. That grew into the Music on Maxwell concert series that's on hiatus at the moment. A seed of an idea grew into a series. |
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Simply put, what he creates is, well, pure magic, and that's without the help of a mouse.
Uptown Greenwood has basically made Holloway the poster child for its dream to become a viable entertainment, dining and shopping destination for the Lakelands and beyond.
I truly believe that if Holloway didn't take the chance, the growth on Main Street and the surrounding area would never have gotten this far. The support from Greenwood City, and in particular, City Manager Steve Brown and Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau, and Uptown Development Director Angie Jones, has been exemplary.
If Holloway can think it, he will do it. He will find a way to accomplish what he had envisioned. It has never mattered what he's seen in his head. Chances are everyone will eventually see the reality of his imagination and share in it when it comes to fruition.
For whatever reason, Holloway has the vision, talent and ability to be creative. More importantly, he's lucky enough to have the know-how, connections and personality to make imagination reality. It's refreshing to see his animated boyish charm and enthusiasm when you talk to him.
Some of that may be rubbin off on others in the community, although most listed have the creativity and gumption already built into their being. There's Bess Park at Greenwood Community Theatre, Ian and Sarah Morris with Homemade Genius, Keith Jameson with Greenwood Music Festival, Matt Edwards, formerly of The Museum, just to name a few of the creative folks in the area.
I really don't think Holloway understands or uses the phrases, "Can't be done," "It will never work," and "Ain't going to happen." Instead, you hear him say, "That's a great idea," "How about if we...," "What we need to do..." and "I was thinking..."
- His latest effort has been published. "Beautiful Places," a celebration of South Carolina's state parks, is packed with wonderful photos that only Holloway could produce. Granted, there are many photographers who could have taken the photos, but none would have the Holloway touch.
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- The photography in the book is beautiful and is presented from a perspective that's a little off-kilter with the rest of the world. That' Holloway. He's always thinking out of the box. Granted, there are straight forward shots in the book.
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For the most part, the photos are typical Holloway.
"Beautiful Places" comes through an idea of South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and Chad Prosser, who wrote the book. Quickly on board were BMW, FujFilm, Cal Harrison and Holloway. The partnership allowed Greenwood-based FujiFilm to provide Holloway with equipment he needed to produce the photos.
Holloway works magic in ways he doesn't even know. Harrison, who wrote the history of the parks portion of the book, is a fellow South Carolina graduate. I was a year ahead of him at South Carolina. We worked together on The Gamecock, and we think we had one or two classes together.
During the recent book unveiling at Holloway's gallery, I had a chance to reconnect with Harrison. It's been more than 20 years since college, but time didn't matter. We talked about jobs and careers, journalism, former classmates and instructors, and family. It was nice to catch up with him, and quite unexpected.
Holloway isn't resting on his laurels of "Beautiful Places," his gallery and studio or anything else he's done in the past.
| His next project is click646, another celebration of photography coming to Greenwood October 16-17. It's being billed as "the photography event that showcases the world." There will be ticketed and non-ticketed events. Events will be staged in Holloway's gallery, The Museum, Meridian, the Arts Center at the Federal Building, Greenwood Community Theatre and Oregon Street. Keynote speakers include Joyce Tenneson, Cristina Mittermeier, Keith Cardwell and Holloway. There will be a film showcase, exhibits, a street festival, live music and more. Musical performers include Mad Tea Party, The Two Man Gentlemen Band, and The Groove Mules. |
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More than a month out from the event, all indications are that click646 has the makes to be a success.
"click646 is full of visual stimulation and a message that is beautiful," Holloway said in a recent interview with The Index Journal. "It will challenge people to think about the world. It's about using photography as a medium to make a difference in the world and to celebrate the world."
It's a big world that Holloway talks about. Luckily for all of us, for Greenwood's own Disney, life isn't a small world - after all. Instead, he sees the big picture. We should consider ourselves fortunate he's willing to share that big picture with us.
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