Aiken is brimming with creative energy thanks in part to young artists like Sandi King, Jonathan Blankenship and Savannah Bundy. These talented artists have found a place to nurture their passions at the Aiken Center for the Arts, an inspiring space that encourages young creatives to explore and grow.
Seventeen-year-old Sandi King is no stranger to music. Born and raised in Aiken, she’s been surrounded by instruments and melodies for as long as she can remember. Her parents enrolled her and her siblings in the Suzuki Strings program in Augusta when she was young, where she first picked up the violin and soon expanded to other string instruments. The King family even formed their own band, Kings Creation, performing at local churches. King has been a proud member of the Aiken Youth Orchestra since seventh grade, making music with friends from across the community. When she’s not practicing her violin or other instruments, King can be found enjoying the outdoors, running track, competing in cross country, gardening, cooking and spending quality time with her close-knit family. King’s love for music and nature shines through in all that she does.
Twelve-year-old Jonathan Blankenship is another multi-instrumental powerhouse. His musical journey began with piano lessons at age five, and by the time he reached fifth grade, he was exploring percussion, violin, guitar, bass and ukulele. Today, Blankenship’s favorites are drums, upright bass and guitar, especially because he loves how easy they are to play anywhere. His passion for music has also led him to the Aiken Youth Orchestra where he plays upright bass. He also has a home studio where he writes, mixes and produces his own original music. His dream is to pursue a career in music, inspiring other young musicians to never give up and follow their musical dreams.
For sixteen-year-old Savannah Bundy, art takes the form of stop-motion animation. After falling in love with The Nightmare Before Christmas as a child, she was inspired and has spent years perfecting her craft. She started with a LEGO animation book she picked up at a local book fair and grew her craft from there. Her YouTube channel, Mungia Studios, features her original works, including her favorite project: a Frankenstein-inspired short starring her hand-built puppets. Each puppet and set can take weeks, even months, to create. Next year, Bundy will attend the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities for film, a huge step toward her goal of a career in animation.
With their creativity and passion, these young artists are making their marks and adding something truly special to Aiken’s vibrant arts community.