Daniel Island glass artist wins Bridge Run design contest

A 55-year-old industrial hygenist who retired from MeadWestvaco in April to pursue his art full-time won the 2012 Cooper River Bridge Run design contest.

Greg Rawls of Daniel Island has created glass art for 20 years and has submitted entries to the Bridge Run contest the past two years. His reaction to his third-time's-a-charm selection?

"Wow," Rawl said. "I'm very flattered because there's so much great art submitted for this contest. To have a non-traditional art form (glass art covered to a print design), it's a major thrill."

Rawls' design was unveiled at a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. today at the pavilion near the Bi-Lo on Shelmore Boulevard in Mount Pleasant.

The design was chosen two weeks ago by a group made up mostly of sponsors.

Bridge Run Race Director Julian Smith, who did not vote on the design, says he liked Rawls' past designs, recalling a similar one submitted as glass art last year. This year's design was printed and had the required name and date of the race on the design.

Smith described the design as "a flashback to the '70s."

"It looks tie-dyed and retro," said Smith.

Among the Smith's highlights of the upcoming race, which will be held March 31, 2012, is the title sponsorship of the race by Boeing, which joins Bi-Lo as the event's two title sponsors.

Rawls' design will grace nearly 50,000 T-shirts and 2,000 posters. He sees it as a way to bring attention to an art form not widely recognized in the Southeast.

Rawls describes his design as a "sunburst behind the bridge" and that his color palate is "defined by the Lowcountry."

"I try to capture the colors we see everyday," he says.

Rawls displays his art at Edward Dare Gallery on Broad Street, Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan's Island, Blue Heron Glass in West Ashley and The Gallery in Beaufort.