In 1976, Pearl Fryar moved to the all-white town of Bishopville, S.C., and ignored his close-minded white neighbors who thought Pearl, who is black, would fail to keep his yard maintained. According to The Washington Post, after becoming a self-taught topiary artist, Pearl wooed his neighbors with his magnificent backyard. He took unique plants not usually suited for topiaries and sculpted beautiful works of art. To honor his green thumb and his dignity in taking the high road, filmmakers Scott Galloway and Brent Pierson created a documentary called A Man Named Pearl (which screened in Charleston last year but is only now gaining national attention). The directors take a head-on approach to defy prejudice, and their efforts make their finished product both truthful and inspirational. —Caitlin Baker
- John Stoehr
Arts Editor
There's more to art than you think. It's not just theater, paintings, books and dance. It's the enterprise of human creativity and it takes vastly different shapes and forms. Here you'll find my thoughts about the arts in Charleston and beyond. Neither of us knows what to expect.
