By Shelley Smith
ssmith@salisburypost.com
Hundreds of people gathered at the corner of South Church and West Fisher streets Saturday to attend the dedication of the Cotton Mills Pocket Park project.
“This day is so happy for us,” said Barbara Perry, chairman of the Public Art Committee.
More than 80 students from every elementary school in the Rowan-Salisbury School system and three private schools participated in the Cotton Mills project.
Fourth grade art students created tiles representing the textile industry, which were implanted along the wall. Every angle of the textile industry was brought to life through the hand-created tiles, from cotton blossoms and Kesler-Cannon plants, to spools of yarn and horse and plow. Waterworks Visual Arts Center provided the workshops for the students to design, fire and glaze the tiles. The bricks that make up the wall were salvaged from the demolition of the Kesler-Cannon Mills buildings.
The pocket park also includes shrubbery and trees, planted by Southeast Middle School’s eighth grade football team.
In the center of the wall is a bronze Salisbury History and Art Trail marker, which reads:
“Religious fervor provided the impetus for establishing Rowan County’s post-Civil War textile industry. On Nov. 9, 1887, during a three-week revival held in the Farmer’s Warehouse on this site, the Rev. R.G. Pearson, a visiting evangelist, called for the building of factories to provide employment.
“The momentum of the revival led the Rev. Francis J. Murdoch and other local leaders to organize the Salisbury Cotton Mills. The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 2, 1888. By 1900, Rowan County had become a leading producer of textiles.”
Perry said the children were “the most important part of our project.”
“It was an honor for us to work with them,” she said.
Dr. Grant Harrison, pastor at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, gave the invocation before Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz spoke.
“Not only today do we celebrate our city, but we also celebrate our young people,” said Mayor Kluttz. “Salisbury is your county seat, and the city of Salisbury cares about each and every one of you.”
Salisbury City Councilman Bill Burgin also spoke during the dedication ceremony, focusing on the importance of art in a child’s life.
“The public recognizes the importance of art and the importance of our children,” said Burgin. “Picasso said, ‘Every child is an artist.’ This corner is a testament to those statements.
“I believe that every participant in this art project had fun.
Dr. Sarah Hensley, director of elementary education for Rowan-Salisbury Schools, noted the importance of having strong arts programs in schools.
“The arts are so strong and they’re strong in our county, strong in our schools,” said Hensley. “Today we are making history.
“The children were wonderful, and it’s so important to pull all together.”
Hensley said she hoped the school system will have more projects like the pocket park in the future.
Mayor Kluttz ended the dedication by reading the official proclamation.
“This corner is going to be special from now on,” she said.
Kesler Cotton Mill was organized in 1895 with J.W. Cannon taking over the company in 1899.
Children, adults and teachers involved in the project were given certificates for their participation with the project. A lunch of hot dogs, chips, Cheerwine pound cake and Cheerwine soft drinks were provided following the dedication.