Aiken’s Sporting Life, an Images of America book from Charleston’s Arcadia Publishing captures Aiken’s rich history of sport in photographs. From boxing in the 1860’s to speedboat racing on the Savannah River in 2014; from the first Aiken Horse Show in 1916 to last year’s golf success of Kevin Kisner; the blend of historic and contemporary images paints a vibrant picture of the activities that make Aiken and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) a unique place to call home.
Aiken’s role as host to the Hope Diamond, to clandestine meetings to bring peace to Europe during WWI and as a launch pad for many entertainment careers including the humor of Minnie Pearl and the music sensation of James Brown is chronicled with captions throughout. Discover how Beech Island had an effect on the cultural icons of the 20th century and where golf, riding and court tennis made for 3 sports a day.
Deep seeded rivalries, life-long love affairs and just plain crazy fun people have been part of the legacy of charm and character of Aiken. In support of the Hitchcock Woods Foundation, Aiken Sporting Life is on sale at local Aiken retailers, the Aiken County Museum and on Amazon.com.
Aiken Through Art is a public art walk that showcases works of art throughout Downtown Aiken and among the installations is “Aiken Sporting Life through Art” on display at The Carriage House Inn courtyard at 139 Laurens Street until April 2017. A project of Leadership Aiken County, these public art displays represent the various aspects of working, Living and playing in Aiken.
The author and reluctant artist, Jane Page Thompson is a REALTOR with Aiken Properties and a dedicated community activist. Named a NBC 26 Woman to Watch for her fundraising efforts on behalf of The Woods and honored by the Aiken Center for the Arts with their Michelangelo Award the Aiken Sporting Life books and Aiken Through Art installation seam natural accomplishments for this enthusiastic Aikenite.