South Carolina H 5536: Pearl Fryar Day

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5536 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 15, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5536

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 
53-3-340 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE fourth DAY OF APRIL OF EACH YEAR AS "PEARL 
FRYAR DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO HONOR HIS BODY OF WORK AND THE CREATIVE 
IMPACT THAT HE HAS HAD BOTH ON THE ARTS AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the son of a 
sharecropper, Pearl Fryar was born in 1939 in Clinton, North Carolina. His 
loving, deeply spiritual parents instilled in him a powerful work ethic, moral 
responsibility, and the importance of kindness to all. A creative childhood 
encompassed barefoot summers, handmade toys and sports equipment, farm and pet 
animals, woodworking, and the experience of nature up close and personal. Like 
his brother and sister, Pearl helped out on the farm "from about the time I 
could stand up." Contrary to the life-sustaining rural Southern custom of 
hunting for food, Pearl could not bear the killing of animals. He loved the 
woods and open spaces. "It was a good life," he was known to say; and

Whereas, attending 
North Carolina Central University in the 1960s, Pearl was active in civil 
rights demonstrations in Durham, NC. He did an army tour of service in Korea. 
He married his childhood sweetheart Metra, and they lived in New York City. 
Pearl credits his years in the "can do" environment of the Big Apple as 
defining moments for his multifaceted life path. He says without hesitation, "I 
would never have made my garden had it not been for living in New York"; and

Whereas, Pearl worked 
for American Can Company/Rexam for thirty-six years, including during the 
manufacturing transition from steel to aluminum. While working full time and 
having moved to Bishopville, SC, he started his topiary garden. He had no 
formal horticultural background. His childhood penchant for trimming the 
homestead shrubs in interesting patterns had been frowned upon - then forty 
years later, he began unfettered pruning of trees and shrubs on his home 
property. "I'm just a man who cuts up bushes," Pearl said. The extraordinary 
transformation began with hundreds of plants, many excavated from nursery 
compost piles; and

Whereas, Pearl became 
known for his extraordinary three-acre handiwork. He was photographed and 
journaled for newspapers and magazines, appeared on television, and spoke far 
and wide at gardens, galleries, and festivals. The acclaimed documentary, A 
Man Named Pearl, charts his creative journey. He made a John Deere tractor 
commercial and attracted visitors by the thousands; and

Whereas, Pearl's son 
Patrick has since his own boyhood, adopted the family trend of thrift and 
recycling, and he says, "Daddy is all over this garden." One does indeed sense 
the artist's touch and presence throughout. Mentor and loving life partner for 
more than half a century, Pearl's wife Metra has witnessed his impassioned 
garden creation with admiration and deep understanding. As First Lady of the 
Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, she gives him all the credit; and

Whereas, Pearl's garden 
is intentionally apolitical, and spiritually nonsectarian. His message of 
"Love, Peace, and Goodwill" is a world citizenry gift and appeal. Offering a 
special feeling of sanctuary and oasis, the garden's living plant invocation is 
universal, transcending all differences among people and ideologies. Pearl has 
always wanted his garden to remain free to all, retaining a self-contained, 
intimate presence amid a quiet semirural residential neighborhood; and

Whereas, in support of 
their post-high school education, Pearl has created a scholarship fund for 
"average" students in South Carolina; and

Whereas, from the 
humble wellspring of ancestral African American roots, Pearl bears the torch of 
hard work, passion for life calling, and humility. Regardless of fame, he never 
compromised his strong values of simple living and exalted thinking. Never 
tempted to be "bought or sold," living modestly in simple abundance, Pearl 
considered himself richly blessed. He viewed his life as service to family, 
Spirit, and community. His garden is an enthusiastic offering to all; and

Whereas, Pearl Fryar 
made historical impact on the art industry and was nationally recognized for 
his work that transcended around the world. Mr. Fryar peacefully passed away on 
April 4, 2026. Although he may no longer be with us, his legacy is something 
that lives on forever and will continue to be maintained for years to come. Now, 
therefore,

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

 Section 
53-3-340. The fourth day of April of each year is designated as "Pearl