Local History & Legacy
The Pulse of a Community: Honoring the Legacy of A.B. Snow
Founding the Southern Arts Society and nurturing the creative voice of Kings Mountain.
When people speak of the Southern Arts Society in Kings Mountain, they inevitably speak of A.B. Snow. Not simply because she was a founding member, but because she was its pulse—steadfast, encouraging, and endlessly devoted to helping others find their artistic voice.
A.B. was already a talented and prolific artist when she became a regular at the Springmaid Workshops in Myrtle Beach. From the very beginning, she had a gift not only for creating art, but for nurturing it in others. That gift became the catalyst for a movement.
A Vision of Inclusivity
In 1984, recognizing the need for a supportive community of creators, A.B. gathered a small circle of friends and newcomers to form what would become the Southern Arts Society. Her vision was intentionally inclusive: a group open to anyone, from anywhere, who wanted to learn, grow, and share the experience of making art. She named it with purpose—“Southern Arts Society” was meant to welcome, not exclude.
“She didn’t just help build an organization—she created a home for artists.”
The Society’s Engine
From those early days, A.B. became the Society’s engine. She produced the newsletter, handled the mailings, arranged programs, and offered unending guidance. Artists would bring her their works-in-progress, unsure of the next step, and she always seemed to know exactly how to move a stuck painting forward. Her input shaped everything the group created.
A Tradition in Ink
When the Society needed a fundraiser, A.B. turned to her longtime friend, Mary Goslen. Inspired by Mary’s silk-screened calendar, A.B. suggested that SASi try the same. More than thirty years later, members are still designing and hand-printing the beloved Limited Edition Silk-Screen Calendar.
The “Pied Piper” of the Arts
Her influence on the community extended far beyond administration. A.B. had a special gift with children—drawing them in with her warmth, laughter, and unfailing encouragement. She brought artist John Brady to Kings Mountain to teach both adult and children’s classes, expanding access to art education for the whole community.
A.B. Snow will be deeply missed, but her legacy is woven through every brushstroke, every class, every gathering, and every calendar the Southern Arts Society produces. And that home continues to thrive because of her vision, her generosity, and her unwavering belief in the power of creativity shared.
