Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Art Professor Jim Arendt Wins $50,000 Top Prize at 2013 ArtFields

Jim Arendt, director of the Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery at Coastal Carolina University, n Conway, SC, won the $50,000 grand prize at ArtFields, a juried art competition and festival held in Lake City, SC, from April 19-28, 2013.

Arendt’s winning entry was a piece titled Jamie, composed entirely from cut denim fabric. Arendt uses blue jean material to produce his three-dimensional, wall mounted artworks, because, he says, “for the people I want to depict, this material is truer to their experience.”

Jamie

Arendt, who joined the CCU staff in 2011, is a native of Flint, MI. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, MI, and a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting from USC.

Arendt’s work has been exhibited regionally and internationally, most recently at the Hub-Bub Gallery’s Emerging Carolina exhibit in Spartanburg, SC, where he was awarded Best in Show. His work will also be displayed in the Fiberarts International 2013 in Pittsburgh, PA, and the 2013 Museum Rijswijk Textile Biennial in the Netherlands. Prior to joining CCU, Arendt was the gallery director at FAB Gallery at South Carolina State University and an art instructor at the University of South Carolina.

More than 400 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, photography and two- and three-dimensional pieces, were exhibited in Lake City’s inaugural ArtFest. A total of $100,000 was awarded to participating artists at the 10-day event.

Works by Arendt will be featured in the exhibition Jim Arendt: Selvage, on view at the Sumter County Gallery of Art in Sumter, SC, from May 16 through July 5, 2013.

For further information call 843/349-2711 or visit (www.coastal.edu/bryanartgallery/) or (http://jimarendt.com/JimArendt.com/Home.html).

Patz Fowle from Hartsville, SC, Stays Active After ArtFields in Lake City, SC

Two of Patz Fowle’s sculptures were chosen for the “2013 Carolina’s Got Art! June Salon Show” at the Elder Gallery in Charlotte, NC. For info visit (http://www.elderart.com/).

Smoked Salmon by Patz Fowle

Fowle will also have two pieces in the “2013 SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition/Exhibition” at the Charleston Area Convention Center, in North Charleston, SC, during the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival, from May 4-11, 2013. My pieces are “Smoked Salmon” and “Patz’ Picasso Pot”. For info visit (http://www.northcharleston.org/residents/departments/arts/SCPalmettoHands.aspx).

For further info visit (www.patzfowle.com).

National Sculpture Society Selects Work by Alex Palkovich for Its 80th Annual Exhibition

“On the Way to the Market”, the latest work by Florence, SC, sculptor and elected member of the National Sculpture Society (NSS), Alex Palkovich, has been selected for inclusion in the NSS’s 80th Annual Exhibition. This is the second year running that Palkovich has been one of the few chosen from among best sculptors in the nation to participate in this prestigious event.

The honor is made doubly special for the Pee Dee since Palkovich is the only elected member of the Society to hail from South Carolina. The sculpture depicts a Gullah lady carrying her wares on her head in a traditional basket and is cast in bronze.

The NSS is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States. Founded in 1893, its purpose is to “spread the knowledge of good sculpture.” The Society is marking its special anniversary with showings in two locations – the Tampa Museum of Art ( May 18 – July 27) and Brookgreen Gardens (August 17 -27).  The good news is that you do not have to go all the way to Tampa to view the piece. The piece can be seen at the Ronald E. McNair Life History Museum as part of the biggest art competition in the Southeast, ArtFields festival in Lake City (April 19-28), and will also be showing at Summerville, SC’s Sculpture in the South (May 18th and 19). Palkovich’s work can also be viewed, throughout the year, at the Art Trail Gallery in Florence.

Alex Palkovich working on his sculpture of Francis Marion

In further news, Palkovich will be unveiling his largest work to date, a giant sculpture of Francis Marion, at 1pm on May 18, 2013, at Venter’s Landing in Johnsonville, SC.

For further info visit (http://alexpalkovich.com/).

Coker College in Hartsville, SC, Hosts ‘Junk It Out’ Recycled Fashion Show – Apr. 13, 2013

The Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery, the Coker College Art Club and the Art Department will host a recycled fashion show titled “Junk It Out” at 3:30pm, on Saturday, Apr. 13 in Davidson Auditorium in Hartsville, SC.

Contestants in the competition are required to utilize recycled materials to design an outfit that will be modeled and judged during the event. Materials may include such items as recyclables, discarded clothing, bags, outdoor objects and food containers.

Miranda Peebles, a first-year art major from Cassatt, SC.

“Although my schedule prevents me from contributing a design for ‘Junk it Out,’ I am very excited about seeing the show. I have worked with consumer discards for over two decades, and I love seeing how others utilize this resource” said gallery director and assistant professor of art Larry Merriman.

“Repurposing discards, as will be done in ‘Junk it Out,’ challenges the ingenuity and creativity of the participants. As an audience, it makes us think, but it also makes us laugh, which is a wonderful combination when talking about an important topic like how we use the earth’s resources.”

Ben Gupton will be announcing the models. Designers for the show include chair of art department and art club faculty supervisor Jean Grosser and student designers Sarah Shealy, Blythewood, SC; Tammaka Staley, Columbia, SC; Miranda Peebles, Cassatt, SC; Ashley Spell, Barnwell, SC; Jared Geizer, Montville, OH; Emily Shokes, Greer, SC; and Joshua Milligan, Hartsville, SC.

Four professors have been selected to judge the designs. Fashions will be judged on their visual impact, design concept, construction technique, creativity and best use of materials. Cash prizes ranging from $25 to $75 will be awarded to four winners.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the show prior to winners being announced.

For more information, contact Grosser at 843/383-8150 or e-mail to (jgrosser@coker.edu) or contact art club president Ashley Gillespie by e-mail at (ashley.gillespie@coker.edu).

Market on Darlington Square in Darlington, SC, Returns Apr. 20, 2013

Under the shade of trees and the courthouse, shoppers can find a variety of local produce, plants, baked goods, purses, perfumes, food and other goods at the Market on Darlington Square in Darlington, SC.

Artisans, craftsmen, farmers and other vendors will be selling their wares as the market returns to the Public Square on Apr. 20 with more exciting entertainment and features to come this season. The event will be held from 9am to 1pm at the Public Square on Main Street in Darlington on the third Saturday of the month from April to September.

Vendor spaces are $25 with discounts available for nonprofit organizations. Contact by e-mail at (dvaughan48@bellsouth.net), call 843/395-2310 or 843/395-0792.

Civic clubs are also encouraged to join the fun, display their good works and solicit memberships or donations by hosting a booth.

The market committee also wants to expand the music and art available at the event and seeks musical groups and individuals who would like to perform at a future market as well as visual artists who would like to display their work inside the courthouse lobby during the market. Call 843/395-0792 for information or to sign up for a slot.

The open-air market is a partnership between Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association, the City of Darlington and a dedicated group of volunteers. The monthly market began in 2011.

The Market on Darlington Square also has a Facebook page at (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1067932293#!/pages/Market-on-Darlington-Square/225286814167780).

For information contact DDRA Executive Director David Vaughan by e-mail at (dvaughan48@bellsouth.net) or call 843/395-2310.

Register Now for the ArtFields Portrait Contest in Lake City, SC, for a Chance to Win a $1000 Cash Prize! – Deadline Apr. 1. 2013

ArtFields is proud to present the ArtFields Portrait Contest on Saturday, Apr. 27, 2013, on The Green in Lake City, SC, from 10am to 4pm. Twenty-four artists will have the opportunity to compete for “Best in Show” and a $1,000 cash prize by creating portraits of local farmers who will serve as models for the event. The contest will consist of four rounds where the artists will have an hour to create the portrait. Artists at all levels from the Southeastern states are eligible to apply for the contest. Bring your friends and family to watch the action, witness the fun and hear the award announcement at 4pm.

Artists will be paired off randomly and have a designated model. A table will be provided for each pair of artists during each one-hour round. Portraits will be judged immediately after each round and the winners will be announced 15 minutes after the round has ended. There will be a 20- to 30-minute break between each round. Portraits will be displayed between each round, where artists have the option to sell their work from the ArtFields Portrait Contest. Proceeds from sales will go directly to the artists.

Artists are responsible for their own medium, materials and art surfaces. There is a size limitation of 18″ x 24″. If any artists have questions about their medium, please e-mail to (artteam@artfieldssc.org) or call 843/633-1235.

In order to qualify for the contest, artists must register at (http://artfields.slideroom.com) by April 1, 2013. The registration fee is $35 (non-refundable) and applicants will be asked to submit 1-4 images of previous work – preferably but not limited to – portraiture. The review panel will consist of South Carolina art professionals. Notification of acceptance will be on Friday, Apr. 5 via e-mail.

ArtFields in Lake City, SC, Announces Calendar of Events Which Will Take Place During This Major Art Competition

A full plate of homegrown entertainment will be served up during our first-ever ArtFields celebration (Apr. 19 – 28, 2013). All of the action will take place in downtown Lake City, SC. You will find an amazing collection of art from artists across the Southeast on display in local venues. Best of all, you get to vote for your favorite piece. Your vote could help one artist go home with a life-changing prize.

The ArtFields team has been working hard to finalize the events calendar. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of arts events, as well as live music, food & beverage and much, much more.

Guests are invited to delight in numerous arts and entertainment events! Competition Artwork will be exhibited in more than 40 venues in downtown Lake City.

Attendees may participate in Screen Printing & Plein Air Painting workshops, watch art documentaries and short films from independent filmmakers in the Mini Cine (a shipping container turned mobile movie theatre).

Check out the tentative ArtFields calendar and start planning your visit to this Epic Southern Artfest. Make sure to come back to view the calendar as we develop our inaugural itinerary.

Visit the calendar of events being offered at (http://www.artfieldssc.org/attendees/events/).

For more info about ArtFields visit (www.artfieldssc.org).

The Greater Lake City Artists’ Guild in Lake City, SC, Calls for Entries – Deadline Mar. 30, 2013

The Greater Lake City Artists’ Guild is calling for artwork for their first annual Juried Show in the Artfields Gallery in Lake City, SC.

Submissions are due March 30, 2013, by e-mail (greaterlakecityartistsguild@gmail.com) or mail at PO Box 96 Lake City, SC 29560.

Artists should send image of work, short description, title, and medium of work. Artists may submit up to 3 pieces. Artists may submit 2-D or 3-D pieces.

Juried Show will hang from Apr. 19-May 30, 2013.

For more information about the show or the Greater Lake City Artists’ Guild, contact Sandy Cook at 803/435-3860 or e-mail to (greaterlakecityartistsguild@gmail.com).

The mission of the Greater Lake City Artists’ Guild is to cultivate, nurture, and grow the Arts in the greater Lake City area and the state of South Carolina.

Southeast’s Most Generous Art Festival, ArtFields Announces Artist Registration Schedule and Program Rules – Deadline Feb. 7, 2013

ArtFields invites emerging and established artists to compete for $100,000 in cash prizes from April 19 to 28, 2013, in Lake City, SC

Three artists who reside in any of a dozen Southeastern states will soon lay claim to career-changing cash prizes that honor their exceptional talents.

From April 19 to 28, 2013, this small town with a big heart will be home to an epic Southern artfest, as ArtFields blooms in its streets and fields.

The festival will be open to new works (2- and 3-dimensional art) from emerging and established artists residing in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. All will vie for the largest cash prizes in the Southeastern art world: Top Prize ($50,000), People’s Choice ($25,000) and Juried Panel Winner ($25,000).

Registration opens Jan. 7, 2013 at (http://www.artfieldssc.org), and will close Feb. 7, 2013. Artists will submit work digitally for consideration by an independent panel of visual arts professionals, who will determine selection. Registration requires a $25 fee, and artists are limited to one submission. Full residency requirements and other rules are available on the festival website.

Ultimately, more than 400 pieces will be selected and showcased throughout Lake City. Guests of the 10-day festival – and fans of the artists – will be encouraged to vote in-person for their favorite pieces. Votes cast by attendees will determine the People’s Choice Prize and be factored into the Top Prize.

In addition to the juried competition, ArtFields will offer a bumper crop of creative activities. Plans include an artist lecture series, a portrait competition, music concerts, a farmers’ market and much more.

Lake City boosters – led by the highly successful businesswoman, Darla Moore – have created ArtFields to celebrate the town’s rich history as a farming community. For generations, the fields yielded robust crops of strawberries and beans. Today, they are growing the largest art competition in the Southeast.

For information on sponsorship and participation opportunities, contact ArtFields at 843/374-0180 or visit (www.artfieldssc.org).

Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, is Calling for Artists to Participate in Arts International Festival – Deadline is Mar. 1, 2013

Applications from local artists are being sought for the eighth annual Art Show to be held during Arts International on Saturday, April 20, on the Francis Marion University campus in Florence, SC.

The festival will be held from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free and open to the public. This one-day art exhibition sales event is designed to promote the quality of diverse artisans residing in the region. In addition to booths displaying items for sale, several sites will have artisans demonstrating their skills. The art show will be juried, with artisan awards of $600, $300 and $150 awarded to first, second and third places, respectively.

Area artists are invited to participate. There is an application/jury fee of $75 ($65 for Florence County residents).

The application deadline is Mar. 1, 2013.

For more information contact Kathy Johnson at the FMU Office of Public and Community Affairs at 843/661-1225, or visit (www.fmarion.edu/news/artsinternational).