Pictured left to right in photo are Kirsten Bowers and Eilee Clapp, both eighth grade students at Camden Middle School
The Kershaw County 250 Art Poster Contest brought together talented middle school students from across the community to showcase their artistic interpretations of “Kershaw County’s Role in the American Revolution.”
Open to all sixth through eighth grade students in public, private, parochial, and homeschool settings, the contest invited young artists to explore local history through original, hand-created works. The result was a powerful collection of pieces reflecting the stories, sacrifices, and significance of the Revolutionary War in Kershaw County.
The contest was made possible through a collaborative effort among the Kershaw County 250 Committee, Hobkirk Hill Chapter NSDAR, Revolutionary War Visitors Center, the City of Camden, and community partners committed to preserving and celebrating the area’s Revolutionary War heritage.
Top honors were awarded to two outstanding students from Camden Middle School:
• 1st Place: “Ghost Town” (Evacuation Day/Burning of Camden, May 10, 1781) by Eilee Clapp, 8th Grade — $200 prize
• 2nd Place: “The Swamp Fox” (Gen. Francis Marion) by Kirsten Bowers, 8th Grade — $100 prize
Both students will be recognized at the Hobkirk Hill Chapter DAR Awards Ceremony on May 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center. Families, teachers, and community members are invited to attend and celebrate their achievements.
Eilee Clapp’s first-place artwork will be displayed at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center Museum as part of Camden’s America 250 Celebration through July 4, 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to experience local history through the lens of student creativity.
“A heartfelt thank you to all participating students, teachers, and our panel of judges for making this contest such a success. Your creativity helps bring history to life,” said Project Organizer Kathryn Watkins.
The Revolutionary War Visitors Center, located at 212 Broad Street in Camden, is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The winning artwork will be displayed in the Public House. For more information about Kershaw County 250 programs and events, contact Rickie Good at 803-272-0076.