Francis Marion University celebrates cultures at Arts International Festival in Florence

FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Francis Marion University held its annual Arts International Festival in downtown Florence on Saturday.

Hundreds of people came out to celebrate international art, music, food and culture.

South Dargan Street in downtown Florence was blocked off this afternoon to hold FMU's annual Arts International Festival.

This event was free and open to the public. It hosted international entertainment, including dances honoring Mexican indigenous heritage and Afro-Latin culture.

TRENDING: Witnesses recount harrowing final moments of Mikal Mahdi's execution by firing squad in SC

Not only were there international dance presentations, but international students like Mohamed Kamate and Nawang Wardhana, who attend South Florence High School, also taught locals about their home countries.

“We’re a group of exchange students here to represent our countries," Mohamed Kamate, a foreign exchange student, said.

Mohamed is from Mali in West Africa, and Nawang is from Indonesia.

She said she enjoyed events like this because not only was she teaching the Florence community about her culture, but she was learning about everyone else’s as well.

“These past 8 months has been great and I have experienced so many different things," Nawang Wardhana, foreign exchange student said.

"My new friends are from all different backgrounds, and it’s like it has been a very eye-opening experience,e and I think that everyone should experience it at some point.”

TRENDING: Salt Life Church hosts Easter celebration in parking lot to embrace larger community

More cultural aspects were showcased with local artists lined up under their tents in the yard, showcasing all of their arts and crafts.

ABC 15 talked with Carol Black-Lemon, who is a fine art painter of Afrocentrism who moved to Florence from New Jersey just a couple of years ago.

She said she benefited from exposure like this, being an artist new to the area.

“Just letting people know how important art is to the community, it brings you know a vibrancy just having a community of artisans here and it brings people out which is wonderful," Carol Black-Lemon, local fine art painter said.

The Arts International Festival was hosted outside of FMU performing arts center in downtown Florence and ended at 4 p.m.