Thank you all so much for your support in the 50th Cooper River Bridge Run design contest! Because of your votes and encouragement, my design was selected for this incredible milestone. My wife, two granddaughters, daughter and son-n-law and I had an amazing time in Charleston last night at the opening ceremony, celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the largest 10Ks in the country. It is an absolute honor to have my work represent this historic event. Thank you again for making this possible!
I also want to extend a special thanks to two individuals who were vital to the success of this project. First, Dr. Bradley Williams, an optometrist and founder of Southern Eye Associates in Greenville, SC (see tribute below). I suffer from severe dry eye, and his exceptional care, techniques, and guidance healed my eyes to the point where I could actually complete this piece. Second, once the artwork was finished, Rick Van Brunt from Allegra Printing stepped in to handle a minor change to the design and personally delivered the completed product directly to the CRBR office. I cannot express how grateful I am for both of them!
My process producing design work is to always begin with a hand-drawn sketch, which I then bring into Illustrator to meticulously draw each element cleanly. In my career I have developed my artistic eye first, and then learned the digital tools to execute my vision. What concerns me about AI (Artificial Intelligence) is how it displaces real jobs for real people, and I will always advocate for human creativity. To me, AI-generated content feels hollow and soulless. I hand draw, paint, and use a Wacom tablet and stylus for every single piece I produce. When you remove the human hand from art, you remove the creativity itself.
For further info please visit the Cooper River Bridge Run website:
WHAT'S NEW!
Winner of 2027 Cooper River Bridge Run
In Tribute
Dr. Bradley Williams
In our hectic lives, we rarely run across someone who exceeds every expectation—a person who embodies the very qualities we wish we had. Within the first few minutes of talking to Dr. Bradley Williams, you realize his demeanor is absolutely first-class. But during office visits, you quickly learn he is exceptionally special in so many other ways. He is selfless, considerate, empathetic, and kind, beautifully sharing God’s word with others.
As an ophthalmologist and the founder of Southern Eye Associates in Greenville, SC, Dr. Williams completely changed my life. I first went to him when over-the-counter drops could no longer fix my severe dry eye. The condition was stripping away my ability to drive, read, and produce art. Though my initial eye damage was incredible, Dr. Williams worked wonders and got me back into the studio creating art again. Remarkably, before every treatment, he prays for his patients—something I have never experienced from a doctor before.
I wanted to do something special to say, "Thanks for giving me back my eyes and my art." As a commemorative gift, I hand-drew the piece you see below.
Thanks Dr. Williams, you are Truly Loved!
Best Friends
Trio of Family Fur
Greer, SC - Great contacts in the breeding industry have increased my business. From my first Golden Doodle, to an owner who wrote a poem called "Old Sally" about his beloved dog. I copied his handwriting and added it to the portrait. What an incredible relationship and the true meaning of a "BEST FRIEND."
Greer, SC - Back in the studio producing portraits for commissions that I've received for 2026 ( A great thanks to everyone for a great 2025!). Meet Nelli, mother to Yadi and Lexi. Whether their working or playing with the other family dogs, or just cuddling with their owners, they are both the true definition of a "BEST FRIEND."
Please enjoy my 4 entires for the Cooper River Bridge Run starting back in 2017
CHARLESTON, S.C. (CRBR)
Economic Impact Report:
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Significant Revenue: The Bridge Run generates a considerable amount of revenue for the Charleston area, estimated to be around $35 million over the weekend. This economic impact is attributed to the influx of visitors who participate in the race and related activities, leading to increased spending in sectors like hospitality, tourism, and local businesses.
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Tourism and Hospitality Boost: The event attracts participants from across the country and even internationally, leading to high demand for hotel accommodations and increased business for restaurants, shops, and other local establishments. Hotels, in particular, often experience higher occupancy rates and room rates during the Bridge Run weekend.
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Support for Local Businesses: Local businesses on streets like King Street see a surge in customers and revenue during the Bridge Run, providing a significant boost to their sales and tips for their staff.
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Charity Support: The Cooper River Bridge Run also contributes to local charities through its Charity Connection and Grants programs, with a large portion of the revenue going towards its mission.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) Cooper River Bridge Run officials unveiled Thursday the winning design for the 48th annual bridge run taking place in April of 2025.
The visual was designed by Chuck Jones, who is a designer based in Greer, South Carolina.
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