Pickens County Cultural Commission in Pickens, SC, Announces Winners of “Thirty-Fourth Annual Juried South Carolina Artist’s Exhibition”

The Pickens County Cultural Commission in Pickens, SC, is pleased to announce that the Pickens County Museum of Art & History’s “Thirty-Fourth Annual Juried South Carolina Artist’s Exhibition” reception and awards ceremony was held on Saturday Apr. 27, 2013. The competition was open to all artists working in any medium, 18 years of age or older and living in South Carolina. The exhibition is on view until June 13, 2013.

Kristen Watts, Director of Collections & Exhibitions for The Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC, served as juror for this year’s competition. Watts has more than fifteen years of museum experience in areas of exhibition development and management, donor cultivation, collections care and management, and public speaking. A magna cum laude graduate of the College of Charleston, she also holds a Master of Arts in Public History and Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina at Columbia.

Watts spent the day of April 12 looking at, and contemplating 394 works of art representing 214 South Carolina artisans. The vast array of paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, ceramics, fiber and other mediums made for the difficult task of selecting works for, and eliminating works from, the final show. The impressive final selection of 112 works of art represents 100 individuals currently creating visual art in this state.

About the jury, Watts said, “I was very honored to serve as the juror for the Pickens County Museum’s “34th Annual Juried South Carolina Artists Competition”. The 394 pieces submitted showed the extraordinary range of talent in the area.  I was quite impressed by the diversity of media – painting, ceramics, turned wood, sculpture, printmaking, photography, jewelry, recycled materials – as well as broad range of styles from traditional landscape and portraiture to contemporary abstract paintings, photography, and sculpture.”

Watts continued, “It was difficult in face of this broad range of diverse talent to make final selections. However, it was very rewarding for me to see the talent of these artists, and I look forward to seeing more in the future.”

First Place & Benjamin Memorial Purchase Award – Larry Seymour, Piedmont, SC; “Chui”, gouache

The awards for this year’s competition represent not only a cross section of what is taking place in the visual arts of South Carolina today, but are also a fair representation of the variety of artists actively “at work”. Watts chose the gouache painting, “Chui “ by Piedmont’s Larry Seymour as the First Place Award. Second Place was presented to Sam Wang of Clemson for his photograph, “Hanging Temple, China”. The Third Place honor went to Greenwood’s Kathy Hendricks-Dublin for her glass mosaic window, “The Tree of Completion”.

Second Place – Sam Wang, Clemson, SC; “Hanging Temple, China”, photography

Third Place – Kathy Hendricks-Dublin, Greenwood, SC; “The Tree of Completion”, glass mosaic window

Juror’s Choice Awards were bestowed upon Rhea A. Fletcher of Salem for her acrylic painting, “After Tea” and to Belton’s Kathy Moore for her encaustic, found objects & ink assemblage, “19 Oak Tree Lane – Junk Drawer Series”.

In addition to the above awards, Watts presented Honorable Mention Awards, denoting artwork of special interest, be presented to: Bryan Hiott of Greenville for his wet plate collodion photograph, “Untitled Tintype #2”; to Pelzer’s Cindy Landrum for her photograph, “Life Without Television”; to Amanda Long of Greenville for her photograph, “The First One”; to Seneca’s Ernie Norungolo for her photograph, “Broken Ribs”; and to Pat Owens of Taylors for the woodcut, “For All Your Photography Needs Kudzu Cultivator”.

Director’s Choice – Lucy Nordlinger, Anderson, SC; “Self Portrait on St. Valentine’s Day”, oil on panel

The Museum’s Director, Allen Coleman chose the oil painting, “Self Portrait on St. Valentine’s Day” by Lucy Nordlinger of Anderson as the recipient of the 2013 Director’s Choice Award.

Thanks to the kind sponsorships of Pickens County & the Pickens County Cultural Commission along with the Hiott Printing Company, Greystone Industries, Mary Howe Benjamin, Roger Benjamin, Sherrill F. Benjamin, J. Connie & June Bowers, Doreen Heimlich, Larissa Heimlich, Philip & Gilda Hendricks, Wayne Kelley, John & Judy Rozelle, Mrs. Shirley Sarlin, the Susan B. Benjamin Memorial Fund and the Seth Schafer Heimlich Memorial Fund, the Pickens County Museum selected six works that, within the scope of their mission directive, will be added to the museum’s permanent collection.

Sarlin Commemorative Purchase Award – Beth Munnings-Winter, Pickens, SC; “The Watcher in the Woods”, oil on canvas

The Pickens County Cultural Commission’s Purchase Award honoring Shirley Sarlin was presented to Beth Munnings-Winter of Pickens for her oil painting, “The Watcher in the Woods?”

The 2013 Susan B. Benjamin Memorial Purchase Award was presented to Larry Seymour of Piedmont for his gouache painting, “Chui”.

The 2012 Seth Schafer Heimlich Memorial Purchase Award was presented to Colleen McGhee of Greenwood for her “Untitled” graphic design.

Additional Museum Purchase Awards were made to Salem’s Rhea Fletcher for her acrylic painting, “After Tea”; to Diane Hopkins-Hughs of Greenville for her mixed media work, “Beach Finds, Blue & Green”; and to Travelers Rest’s Steve Marlow for his Photograph, “Winterscape”.

In addition to the fifteen works of art singled out for special mention, there are ninety-seven others on the walls and pedestals throughout the museum’s Sealevel Gallery, G-1 Gallery and Focus Gallery. No matter where your individual taste in art may lead, you will find some satisfaction in this exhibition. The variety of work represented is a generous reflection of the community of artists presently at work in South Carolina.

The Pickens County Museum of Art & History is funded in part by Pickens County, friends and members of the museum and a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Located at the corner of Hwy. 178 at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens, SC, the museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am until 5pm, Thursdays from 9am until 7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am until 4:30pm. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

For more information call the museum at 864/898-5963.

Local Potters in Greenwood and Edgefield Counties in SC Host the 2nd Annual Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale May 3-5, 2013

Local potters in the Greenwood and Edgefield County areas of SC are collaborating to host the second Annual  Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale, a series of events from Fri., May 3 through Sun., May 5, 2013.

The Pottery Tour & Sale kicks off  Friday evening with a reception at The Museum in Greenwood, SC, from 5:30-7:30pm, during which the public will have the opportunity to meet participating potters and view samples of their work. The weekend events also include pottery demonstrations and kiln openings at five host studios with over 25 potters selling their recent work.

The Tour takes place Sat., May 4, from 10am-5pm and continues on Sun., May 5, from noon-5pm.

 
Work by Renata Copeland

The tour is a joint effort of the Greenwood Area Studio Potters (GASP) and the Edgefield Area Clay Guild (EACG). Both groups were formed by current and former students of the professional pottery program at the Edgefield campus of Piedmont Technical College.

The guilds created the tour as a response to increased community interest in pottery and also to provide a chance to “gain a greater understanding of the craft, to be able to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces and to also educate our communities about the outstanding pottery heritage in this area” said GASP President Dohnna Boyajian.

The pottery community, especially in Edgefield, has been evolving for over 200 years. According to local research, Edgefield’s first pottery was called Pottersville and was started by Abner Landrum in the early 1800s. Pottersville is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. The Groundhog kiln, similar to those of Pottersville, was recently constructed in Edgefield and will be opened during the Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale on Sat., May 4 at 9am. Old Edgefield Pottery resident potter, Justin Guy will be on hand to discuss the kiln and the heritage of pottery in and around Edgefield.

Work by Justin Guy

All activities during the Heritage Trail Pottery Tour & Sale are free of charge and are meant to provide a variety of options for the public to pick and choose from. For a detailed schedule of events or to receive the official Heritage Trail Pottery Tour brochure visit (www.facebook.com/HeritageTrailPotteryTourSale) or e-mail to (bellhousepottery@gmail.com). Greenwood and Edgefield counties are both located along the SC National Heritage Corridor.

In 2012 this project was funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

Participating potteries and potters include:

Bell House Pottery (host), Laura Bachinski, located at 221 Epworth Camp Road East in Ninety Six, SC. Guest potters – Bob Taft (Greenwood); Donna & Jim Conley (Ninety Six); Diane & Tim Miller (Johnston); Delores Newson (Greenwood); Edna Ruff (Abbeville), and Barbara Warner (Hodges).

pARTners in CLAY @ Wyatt Farms (host), located at 550 Center Street in Greenwood, SC. Coop potters – Robert Bassett (Greenwood); Dohnna Boyajian (Ninety Six); Beverly Burton (Greenwood); Phyllis Collins (Greenwood); and Hannah Poe (Greenwood).

PK Pottery (host) Pam Kadlec, located at 79 Wood Duck Drive in Edgefield, SC. Guest potters – Michelle Clark (Johnston);  Sandy Stachurski (Greenwood); James Manning (Greenwood); and Susie Burton (Greenwood).

Turtle Rock Pottery (host) Beth Thornton, located at 248 Meeting Street Road in Edgefield, SC. Guest potters – Donna Hallman (N. Augusta); Renata Copeland (Edgefield); Jean Stafford (Evans, GA); Laurie Hallman (N. Augusta); Jennifer Vas (N. Augusta); Paula Bowers (Saluda); and Levi Wright (Augusta, GA).

Old Edgefield Pottery, Justin Guy (Trenton), located at 230 Simpkins Street in Edgefield, SC.

For further information call Dohnna Boyaijan at 864/554-0336 or e-mail to (dcollinsboyajian@gmail.com).

Duke Energy Foundation donates $15,000 to Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC

The Duke Energy Foundation gave $15,000 to Chapman Cultural Center on April 10 to support arts and science education in Spartanburg County, SC.

Chapman Cultural Center is where eight cultural organizations “co-locate” to serve the people of Upstate South Carolina. Here, visitors come together to discover, experience and celebrate history, science and the visual and performing arts all in one place.

Chapman Cultural Center serves nearly 48,000 students and teachers in Spartanburg County yearly with award-winning and innovative arts and science education programming that cultivates and celebrates a child’s personal creativity and imaginative problem-solving skills. These multifaceted programs serve students in all seven school districts and private schools of Spartanburg County, giving all children an arts and science advantage.

“The arts give students a window to the world,” said Mike Wilson, District Manager for Duke Energy in Spartanburg. “The arts are also a driving force in economic development, which changes the landscape of a community. The skills learned at Chapman Cultural Center serve our children now and will serve our industry and community for generations to come.”

“Duke Energy has been a longtime supporter of the arts in Spartanburg,” said Jennifer Evins, President and CEO of the Chapman Cultural Center. “It is important to us that industry leaders like Duke Energy make a commitment to our work and the advancement of our mission. Through their generous support, we will be able to continue to provide creative expression and educational discovery to students through our Advantage: Arts and Science program.”

For further info call Epsie Coleman, Director Annual Giving, Chapman Cultural Center at 864/278-9690.

Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, SC, is Now Free Admission – All the Time

Spartanburg Art Museum (SAM) in downtown Spartanburg, SC, now has free admission all the time: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sundays, 1-5pm.

SAM’s Board of Trustees recently decided to waive the normal $4 per adult, as well as the other fees, to be more accessible for all community members.

The current exhibition is “Carl Plansky: Thirty Years of Painting,” which is mostly large canvas paintings of people, landscapes, and still lifes, using bright contrasting colors and a strong use of abstract expressionism. Plansky’s work is well known around the world.

Spartanburg Art Museum is located in the Chapman Cultural Center at 200 East Saint John Street in downtown Spartanburg.

To find out more information on the Museum and upcoming exhibitions, visit (www.spartanburgARTmuseum.org) or call 864/582-7616.

Arts Council of York County in Rock Hill, SC, Announces Small Grant Recipients – 4th Quarter 2012-2013

The Arts Council of York County in Rock Hill, SC, is pleased to announce the allocation of Small Grants awards for the fourth quarter of the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Small Grants are available to individual artists, non-profit organizations, teachers and schools throughout York County. These grants are designed to support specific arts activities that promote the individual artist’s professional development or career advancement and/or to support a wide variety of quality arts projects and programs that promote excellence in an arts discipline and make such excellence accessible for general community-wide audiences.

Organizations and individual artists residing in York County, South Carolina may request up to $1,000 per grant and may receive up to two grants each calendar year.

This quarter’s recipients include:

ChristmasVille | $1,000 – ChristmasVille is an annual holiday festival for the entire family that includes Christmas related food, art and entertainment in an old-time setting. Old Town Rock Hill, South Carolina comes alive as a charming, picturesque holiday village and art festival that features works by Rock Hill’s adopted son, Vernon Grant, America’s favorite children’s illustrator and artist of the famed Kellog’s® Rice Krispies Snap!® Crackle!® and Pop!®. This grant helps fund the replacement of decorations, the cleaning of mascot suits, the digitizing of magazine cover images that have not been displayed previously at the Vernon Grant Exhibition at the Center for the Arts, and the framing and matting of Vernon Grant images.

City of Rock Hill – African American Cultural Resources Committee | $1,000 – The African-American Cultural Resources Committee has a goal to define the historic outline of African-American cultural, residential, and commercial communities within the City of Rock Hill and promote those as historic resources through signage and publications. This grant will help to cover the cost of placing South Carolina Historical Markers at five locations: The Afro-American Insurance Building, New Mt. Olivet AME Zion Church, Mt. Prospect Baptist Church, Friendship College, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Culture & Heritage Museums | $1,000 – The Museum of York County in Rock Hill, South Carolina, creates a cultural opportunity for area residents, exhibiting natural and cultural history, and the arts. The Museum will be opening a new exhibit, “Way Back When: Ice Age Beasts of Carolina,” from June 15, 2013 – May 2014, which links the current Stans African animal collection to the animals that roamed this region during the Ice Age. This grant allows the Culture & Heritage Museums to hire artist, Matt Andrews, a recent Winthrop University graduate, to create three murals for the exhibit. Using new technologies to create and print the murals, this artwork will serve to enhance the new exhibit’s experience and educational value.

Mike Gentry – Concerts at the Courtroom | $807.87 – Mike Gentry is working hard to bring music to Old Town Rock Hill. He has booked and coordinated nearly 100 performances for The Courtroom at the Gettys, including local, regional and international acts ranging from acoustic folk rock to aggressive metal. The goal of the Courtroom at the Gettys project is to create and sustain an edgy and innovative music and performing arts scene that supports local performers as well as touring acts. This year, Gentry is working to bring 15 bands to play at the 2nd annual “Don’t Sweat it FEST!” in Old Town Rock Hill to be held over the weekend of June 21-22. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate summer and music. This grant helps to cover the cost of equipment repairs, artist fees and marketing for the fest.

Marcia Kort Buike – 5th Congressional District Art Competition | $500 – Marcia Buike is the gallery director and volunteer district coordinator for the 2013 5th Congressional District Art Competition. More than 650,000 high school students from across the country have participated in the competition since its inception in 1982. The winning piece from each district hangs for an eleven-month period in Cannon Tunnel, which leads from the Cannon Building where there are many offices for members of the House of Representatives to the US Capitol in Washington, DC. In June of each year, there is a special, celebratory reception in the Cannon Tunnel Gallery for the unveiling of the student artwork from across the nation. Invitations are sent to members of Congress and to each winning students. Last year, 45 students submitted to the 5th Congressional District Art Competition from 10 high schools in Buford, Cheraw, Fort Mill, Hartsville, Kershaw, Lancaster, Rock Hill and the Governor’s School for the Arts. The winner was Ms. Shelby Williams of Northwestern High School in Rock Hill. This grant will help cover the reception and framing expenses for the competition.

Total Allocations this Quarter: $4,307.87

To review the Small Grant guidelines, visit (www.yorkcountyarts.org). Information may be found under the Grants link within the The Arts heading. The next deadline is Monday, June 3, 2013 for programs occurring in July, August, & September 2013.

This small grants program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation.

For further info call the Arts Council at 803/328-2787 or visit (www.yorkcountyarts.org).

Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ AT&T Exhibition Hall Calls for Entries for 1st Annual Juried Exhibition – Deadline June 1, 2013

The Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ Headquarters Library in Spartanburg, SC, is calling for entries for it’s 1st Annual Juried Exhibition, to be on view in the AT&T Exhibition Hall, from Aug. 5 through Sept. 27, 2013.

The competition is open to artists, professional or amateur, who reside in Spartanburg County (SC), Cherokee County (SC), Laurens County (SC),  Union  County (SC), Greenville County (SC), Rutherford County (NC) and Polk County (NC).

The 1st Annual Juried Exhibition will feature local professional and amateur artists from Spartanburg and the surrounding counties. There will be over $2500.00 worth of cash and purchase awards available to be distributed among various participating artists chosen by this year’s juror, Will South. South is the Chief Curator for The Columbia Museum of Art located in Columbia, SC.

Cash and purchase awards exceeding $ 2,500.00 will be presented in this year’s exhibition including: First place: $750; Second place: $500; and Third place: $300.

Entry Dates: April 1st – June 1st, 2013.

Go to (www.infodepot.org) to enter. Or click (http://www.infodepot.org/zGeneral/art-in-library.asp).

IMPORTANT DATES:
April 1st – June 1st – Accepting Entries Online
July 1st – Notification of Results
July 15th – 19th & 22nd – 26th – Artwork Drop off
August 5th – September 27th – Exhibition Dates
August 24th 7-9pm is the Artists Reception/Awards Presentation

The Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ AT&T Exhibition Hall displays exhibitions year round ranging from art exhibits to local history to Smithsonian exhibits of varying topics.

The Headquarters Library is located at 151 South Church Street in Spartanburg, SC.

For more information call 864/285-9091 or e-mail to (mirandas@infodepot.org).

Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, Calls for Entries for 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit – Deadline May 4, 2013

The Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, is calling for entries for its 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit, “Framed”, which will be on display May 17 – June 21, 2013.

We invite all local artists to participate in our annual Juried Art Show. Awards will be given out to the winners chosen by our juror, who has yet to be chosen.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Delivery of Entries to BRAC: Friday, May 3, 1-5pm and Saturday, May 4, 10am-2pm

Jury Day: Monday, May 7

Accept/rejection notification: Tuesday, May 8 by 5pm

Opening reception: Friday, May 17, 5:30-8:00pm
Juried Awards: Friday, May 17, 6:30pm

Duration of show: May 17 – June 21, 2013

Download details at this link (http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1111568351468-5/Call_EntryFramed.pdf).

For further info call 864/882-2722 or visit (www.blueridgeartscenter.com).

Members of Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville in Greenville, SC, Hold Reception at Tablefields Market Kitchen – Mar. 22, 2013

The Tablefields Market Kitchen in Greenville, SC, announces a Meet the Artists Reception to be held on March 22, 2013, from 5-7pm. The community for an evening of food, fun and art. Taste the great local flavors of Tablefields Market Kitchen and meet the artists that are featured in the restaurant’s décor.

Four AGGG members have been selected to show their talents – pencil artist, Gerda Bowman; painter, Kathy DuBose; surrealist, Kevin Henderson; and photographer David Waldrop. This is a great event that supports both the local artists and restaurants in our community. It is a win-win night for everyone.

Tablefields Market Kitchen is the newest member of Cafe Enterprises, Inc. Tablefields is a fast-casual restaurant concept that focuses on seven key qualities – food, local sourcing, community, freshness, relaxation, authenticity and hospitality.

As a member of the Cafe Enterprises family, Tablefields will become a pillar in its local communities. In the past two years, Cafe Enterprises has raised more than $1.5 million for charities and community organizations and looks to continue these efforts through Tablefields’ community involvement. For more information, visit (www.tablefields.com).

The Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville is a co-operative gallery located in the heart of Greenville on North Main Street in downtown Greenville, SC. Over twenty local artists are represented in the gallery along with various mediums including acrylic, mixed media, oil and watercolor paintings, jewelry, glass, woodwork and sculpture. One or more of the artists is in the gallery at all times, demonstrating throughout the day and always ready to discuss their art with visitors.

For further info call AGGG at 864/239-3882 or visit (www.artistsguildgalleryofgreenville.com).

Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Awards Cash Prizes in All-Member Show at Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC

The Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg awarded four cash prizes of $250 each to four members whose work was chosen by the public as the favorites in February’s all-member show. The awards were made Thursday, Feb. 28, at a reception at Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC, with more than 100 people in attendance. The recipients were…

• 2D Painting: Isabel Forbes’s “Sunday Morning Breakfast”

• 2d Drawing and Mixed Media: Carolyn Alexander’s “How Much is that Kitty in the Window?”

• 2D Photography and Digital Photography: Patty Wright’s “Pink Surprise”

• 3D Sculpture, Pottery, Jewelry, and Stained Glass: Doris Wright’s “Salts and Squares”

Nearly 800 votes were cast during the exhibit, which showcased 51 local artists. One goal of this exhibit was to directly engage the community with our local artists and to increase awareness of the artistic talent in Spartanburg. “The Guild is overwhelmed at the response from the public and deeply appreciates everyone who voted and visited the show,” Robin Els, Executive Director, said.

“We are already looking forward to next year’s exhibit!” she said. “We truly live in a thriving community that is directly engaged with its local artists.”

For further info contact Robin Els, Executive Director, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg by calling 864/764-9568 or e-mail to (ArtistsGuildOfSpartanburg@Gmail.com).

46th Annual SC Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, SC, is Calling for Entries for Arts & Crafts Show – Deadline Mar. 15, 2013

Organizers of the 46th Annual SC Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, SC, are calling for applications for the 2013 Arts and Crafts Show to be held on June 21 – 23, 2013.

The deadline for applications is Mar. 15, 2013. Download an application at (http://www.scfestivalofflowers.org/2013-arts-crafts-show).

Celebrate the beginning of summer and enjoy traditional southern hospitality at the 2013 South Carolina Festival of Flowers in beautiful Greenwood, South Carolina. Named one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events in June for the last five years and also one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association for 2012 and 2013, this Festival is one you won’t want to miss. The South Carolina Festival of Flowers is a “blooming good time!”

The fourth weekend of June will prove to be most entertaining for all ages, June 20 – 23, 2013. The Park Seed Company’s famous Trial Gardens, featuring over 1000 varieties of annuals, perennials, and vegetables, will be open to the public on Flower Day, Saturday, June 22. Enjoy other Festival activities such as the boisterous bluegrass and the addition of a new outdoor garden party concert. View the works of South Carolina’s top artists and craftsmen at the Festival Art and Craftsmen’s Show. Dance to live music or enjoy a nice leisure day strolling through one of our beautiful gardens on tour. Plus see our now infamous “Signature” Safari-themed Topiary Display in Uptown Greenwood.

For further info call 864/223-8411, ext. 232 or visit (www.scfestivalofflowers.org)