Artist Jim Shore plans to open a 22,000-square-foot museum in downtown Rock Hill by late 2026.ROCK HILL, S.C. — Internationally acclaimed artist Jim Shore announced plans to establish a roughly 22,000-square-foot museum and gallery in downtown Rock Hill, marking a significant cultural addition to the city's revitalization efforts.The South Carolina native, whose folk art-inspired figurines have gained worldwide recognition through partnerships with Disney, Warner Brothers, Coca-Cola, and other major brands, chose his home...
Artist Jim Shore plans to open a 22,000-square-foot museum in downtown Rock Hill by late 2026.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — Internationally acclaimed artist Jim Shore announced plans to establish a roughly 22,000-square-foot museum and gallery in downtown Rock Hill, marking a significant cultural addition to the city's revitalization efforts.
The South Carolina native, whose folk art-inspired figurines have gained worldwide recognition through partnerships with Disney, Warner Brothers, Coca-Cola, and other major brands, chose his home state over opportunities in Florida, Missouri and Tennessee.
"I'm from South Carolina -- I love this state and I love this community," Shore said. "I love York and I love growing up here, it was just a wonderful place to grow up and I thought there would be no more fitting place to display my life's work and share it with the people that mean so much to me than York County and right here in in Rock Hill."
Mayor John Gettys praised Shore's character and commitment to the community, noting how the project fits into Rock Hill's broader downtown revitalization that emphasizes preserving historic buildings rather than replacing them.
"He's said many times when he comes across that state line and he sees 'Welcome to South Carolina,' he knows that he's happy again, he knows he's back home with his kinfolk, back home where it all began, but much more importantly where his promise lies to continue to pick us up as people," Gettys said. "His character is what brings him here today."
The museum will be on Hampton Street and feature an immersive village experience with different themed areas. The facility will include digital experiences with sound, color, and lighting effects.
Shore's collection includes more than 15,000 pieces of artwork and 17,000 drawings and paintings accumulated over decades of work. His distinctive style combines traditional images with vibrant colors, blending American and European folk art with quilting patterns.
The ground floor will house a quilt shop, gift shop, and gallery space for local artists to display their work. Shore emphasized the museum's community focus, with proceeds supporting military families, first responders, and children's hospitals through his foundation.
The project represents a "several million dollar investment" with a target opening in the third quarter of 2026, coinciding with the Christmas season. Shore noted his QVC following includes 406,000 regular buyers worldwide.
"We want to be not just a museum here or a gallery here, we want to be an integral part of Rock Hill and we wanna share in everything," Shore said.
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