When: Saturday + Sunday April 21 – 22, 2012
Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday noon-6pm

Deadline: January 31, 2012, 11:59pm

(http://www.columbiaopenstudios.org)

Artists all over Richland & Lexington counties in South Carolina will open their private, working studios to the public for the weekend!

Artists keep 100% of sales.

New for 2012: 701 CCA is proud to announce that the event is an official Festival Partner of the Nickelodeon Theatre’s 6th Annual Indie Grits Festival!

Support from the arts community is tremendous. For example, Main Street gallery owner Anastasia Chernoff posted on her Facebook wall today:

“To all my artist friends out there looking for publicity and exposure – you WANT to do this. I’ve done it a couple of times and, not only did I realize some great sales, I had people come to my studio from all over the country! The fee associated with it isn’t much at all when you consider the incredible amount of exposure and sales you’ll receive from being a part of the tour. I think, it’s one of the easiest, most effective ways to get your work and name recognized both locally and outside the Columbia area.”

What is 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios? A weekend-long, self-guided tour of artists’ studios, where you can meet the artists and see their working process in situ — like a tour of homes, but totally unique & out of the box!

6th ANNUAL INDIE GRITS FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIP This year, we’re happy to announce a partnership with the Nickelodeon Theatre’s signature, regional cultural event, the 6th Annual Indie Grits Festival. The festival has grown from a weekend-long film festival to a full-blown, 10-day affair!

Other 2012 Indie Grits partners include festival host The Nickelodeon Theatre (and their full film festival roster), Morihiko and the SC Philharmonic, the smash hit ConvergeSE interactive conference, the Crafty Feast indie craft fair, the Slow Food Columbia “Sustainable Taste of Columbia” party, the Spork in Hand Puppet Slam at Indie Grits, nationally known live bands, parties, workshops, kids’ events and more. As the schedule firms up, it will be viewable here: (http://www.indiegrits.com).

Artists who have registered thus far: Alejandro Garcia-Lemos, McClellan Douglas, Grace Rockafellow, Patrick Parise, Nancy Will, Laurie McIntosh, Joseph & Kelly Shull, Richard Lund, Claire Farrell, Nancy Butterworth, Jan Swanson, Richard & Gay Vogt, Lucinda Howe, Bonnie Goldberg, Judy Bolton Jarrett, Susan Lenz, Amanda Ladymon, Alicia Leeke, Ben Compton, Ruby DeLoach, and Betty Rivers.

Why participate? By giving people a chance to peek into artists’ studios, get a sense of how they work & interact directly with them, 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios hopes to create new marketing opportunities for artists & expose the public to the wealth of fine artists working throughout Richland and Lexington counties.

Your name will be all over the state! Close to 100,000 copies of the full-color program guide with an image of your work, your contact info, media, studio directions, etc. will be hand-distributed around the Midlands, throughout SC, and beyond at well-trafficked businesses, galleries, shops, restaurants, etc. Like last year, guides will likely be inserted and distributed in a high-volume publication in the weeks prior to the event. Plus: hundreds of posters will be printed and displayed throughout the Midlands and beyond, and artists will have access to a digital version to post on their websites, Facebook pages, etc. and/or print and distribute as they wish.

Statewide PR + marketing plan: We’ll execute a statewide PR, marketing & advertising plan and leverage our website, Facebook, & Twitter! Our team will work to achieve editorial mentions and articles in publications across the board. For example, we were thrilled to see Jeffrey Day’s piece in the Free Times about the 2011 event: (http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=11001804073474158&ShowArticle_ID=11011805113258145).

How does this fit into the arts landscape here in Columbia, South Carolina? One of 701 CCA’s major goals in presenting Columbia Open Studios is to contribute significantly to the capitol city’s continued efforts toward building a thriving creative economy. We want Columbia, SC to be known as a destination for cultural tourism!

What does it cost? Free to the public, 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios’ artist participation fee is $100 for 701 CCA members and $150 for non-members (comes w/”Family” level membership to 701 CCA). There is also a fully refundable $50 compliance deposit pending post-event submission of attendance & sales data.

PREVIEW PARTY at 701 CCA will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Artists and a guest will receive complimentary admission!

701 CCA takes NO commission on sales — artists retain 100% of all profits.

Questions? Visit our FAQ/guidelines page:

(http://www.701cca.org/701-cca-columbia-open-studios-faq/)

Contact for Artists, Media, & General Public:
701 CCA Columbia Open Studios 2011
c/o Flock and Rally: Events + Communications for a Brave New South
701 Whaley Street, Studio 210
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: Tracie Broom, Partner 415/235.5718 or Debi Schadel, Partner 803/348.8861

E-mail: (OpenStudios@701CCA.org).

The Rockingham County Arts Council in Wentworth, NC, announces a second round of grant applications for Grassroots Funds. Applications are due to the Arts Council Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. NOTE: This is not a postmark deadline; Applications and all attachments must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for funding. Information and forms can be found on the Arts Council website at (www.artsinrockingham.org).

ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBGRANTS:
All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations operating in Rockingham County with a 501(c)3 Federal tax-exempt status. (School projects are covered through their school’s status.) An organization without tax-exempt status may receive indirect funding for its arts project by having a 501 (c) 3 serve as its fiscal agent. It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that a copy of its (or its Fiscal Agent’s) IRS tax-exempt status is on file with RCAC. All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Rockingham County. Organizations that receive general support funds through the NC Arts Council are not eligible for Grassroots funds. Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds. Applications and support materials must be complete and received by the grant deadline.

WHAT THE GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM FUNDS:
Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs, or to operate an arts organization. Examples of arts programs commonly funded with Grassroots funds include: performances, festivals, art exhibitions, after-school arts programs, artist residencies in schools, arts camps, classes, workshops, art walks and studio tours. Typical uses of Grassroots money include: Program expenses such as artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and equipment rental or purchase. Operating expenses such as salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance and equipment rental or purchase.

MATCHING REQUIREMENT:
All subgrantees are required to match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. Other North Carolina Arts Council funds cannot be used as a match.

GRANT EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Subgrant applications are reviewed by a panel of community members including artists, county and public officials and board members of ACMC among others. The panel evaluates each application based on the subgrant guidelines and the following criteria: Artistic quality of proposed project or programs; Community impact of project or programs; Ability to plan and implement project; Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization; Panelists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The subgrant panel’s funding decisions are then presented as recommendations to the RCAC board of directors, who vote and give final approval to the panel’s recommendations.

For 2011 -12 Subgrant Reports, due May 30, 2012.
All projects must be completed before May 30, 2012

Submit Grants to Rockingham County Arts Council, P.O. Box 83, Wentworth NC 27375 or in person to Rockingham County Arts Council, 1122 NC Hwy 65, Wentworth NC 27375

RCAC is the focal point/umbrella organization for the arts and information about the arts in Rockingham County. Our mission is to nurture and enrich the cultural life of Rockingham County. Celebrating 43 years of Arts in Rockingham County.

Grant applications can be found at (http://www.artsinrockingham.org/grants.shtml). Call 336/349-4039 or e-mail to (info@artsinrockingham) with questions and to receive a printed copy of the grant.

Poetic Portraits of a Revolution is a theatrical multimedia performance incorporating spoken word, video, and photography that seeks to give a glimpse into the stories and emotions behind the popular movements in Egypt and Tunisia. The event will be followed by a Q&A session.

Members of PPR, left to right, top to bottom: Mohammad Moussa, Kane Smego, Will McInerney, Sameer Abdel-khalek. Courtesy of PPR.

Produced by the Academy Award-winning organization Empowerment Project, Poetic Portraits of a Revolution sent nationally recognized spoken word poets and youth educators Will McInerney and Kane Smego along with project translator and interpreter Mohammad Moussa and professional photographer and videographer Sameer Abdel-khalek to Egypt and Tunisia from June 15 – August 9, 2011. The team collected oral histories, captured photographs and video, and created poetic reflections that depict the sights, sounds, and emotions of life in both countries during this time of transformation. Poetry and recordings from their journey have been featured in radio segments broadcast nationally on the American Public Media show The Story with Dick Gordon, as well as on the WUNC program Morning Edition. All of the material gathered during the trip is currently being transformed into a live theater performance, a photographic and poetry installation, a book publication, and a film production. Poetic Portraits of a Revolution seeks to utilize art and first hand accounts to highlight the human experience behind these powerful social movements.

“The privileges and rights we have are something we cannot take for granted,” Abdel-Khalek said. “Also, we need to help others achieve that self determination and their struggles overseas because it is what connects us as humans—we actually need to care about one another in a globalized way, and it can promote peace and not war.”

The performance is offered in conjunction with the exhibition, Esse Quam Videri: Self Portraits by Bahraini Muslims, which features twenty-four portraits collaboratively created by Muslims living in Manama, Bahrain and NC artist Todd Drake. The photographs are the result of a project funded by a Fulbright-Hayes Grant and support from the US State Department.

Drake visited Bahrain last May to conduct photography workshops for Bahraini youth and photography aficionados. During his workshops, Drake collaborated with Bahrainis from diverse backgrounds to explore concepts of identity and perspectives of themselves. The objectives of the workshop included promoting a richer understanding of Muslims and Islamic culture in America, building bridges between the United States and Bahrain, and deepening friendships in and across cultures.

Co-sponsors for the performance and exhibition are the Center for Principled Problem Solving and the American Friends Service Committee.

Esse Quam Videri: Self Portraits by Bahraini Muslims, an exhibition featuring 24 portraits collaboratively created by Muslims living in the Kingdom of Bahrain and NC artist, Todd Drake, is now on view through Feb. 29, at Guilford College Art Gallery.

This event is free and open to the public.

For further information call 336-316-2438 or visit (www.guilford.edu).

Grab your mask, costumes and dancing shoes – the Transylvania Community Arts Council just announced that on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, they will hold a Cupid’s Ball: A Masquerade for the Arts at Glen Cannon Country Club from 6-9pm. Proceeds from the Masquerade Ball will benefit TC Arts Council’s Youth Programs.

Tickets are $50 and include: music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, tea, coffee, desserts, and one glass of wine. This is a gala and costumes and or a mask are encouraged. You can make your own mask or purchase one at the door for $5. There will be prizes awarded for the Best Costume and Best Mask. This event is sponsored by State Farm Insurance, Meredith Baldridge, Agent.

Call the TC Arts Council at 828/884-2787 to order your tickets today or stop by TC Arts at 349 S. Caldwell Street near downtown Brevard. For further info visit (http://www.tcarts.org/).

The Contemporaries, a Columbia Museum of Art membership affiliate group, in Columbia, SC, announces a Call for Entries for its ninth annual Contemporaries’ Artist of the Year (CAY) Soirée and Silent Auction. The event is designed to increase awareness of and support for emerging artists in South Carolina and to promote the Contemporaries’ membership. Entry is open to all South Carolina residents. Three-dimensional work must weigh less than 50 pounds and two-dimensional work must measure no more than 60 inches in either direction, including the frame. Artists can submit up to two entries. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, at 5pm.

To enter your work, visit  (www.columbiacontemporaries.com/CAY) or for more information on submitting artwork, contact Kim Bryson by e-mail at (ContemporariesArtistoftheYear@gmail.com).

The jury will be announced in February 2012. The jury selects the artwork for the silent auction and selects one winner, the Contemporaries’ Artist of the Year, based upon the following criteria: originality of concept, technical execution, consistency, professionalism, and the degree to which the work was aesthetically interesting.

The CAY award is generously supported by Anne and Alex Postic and a matching gift from the Contemporaries. The winner receives a cash prize of $2,500. Event guests vote on the People’s Choice award, and the winner is presented with an award and a cash prize of $300. Jasper Magazine is sponsoring the “State-of-the-Art” award, which includes a $200 cash prize and a feature in an upcoming issue of Jasper.

All awards are presented at the CAY Soirée and Silent Auction on Friday, Apr. 13, 2012, at 7pm at the Columbia Museum of Art. Tickets for the CAY Soirée and Silent Auction are $30 / $15 for Contemporaries members and includes food, drinks and live entertainment.

The Contemporaries mission is to provide an opportunity to support the Museum through: promoting the Museum and its programs, diversifying the Museum’s membership, and leading the next generation of Museum supporters. A portion of the proceeds from the Artist of the Year Soirée goes toward the Contemporaries’ Art Acquisition Fund, designed to acquire a significant piece of art for the Museum.

For more information about Contemporaries’ membership, visit (www.columbiacontemporaries.com) or call 803/343-2197.

Conway Glass is located at 209 Laurel Street in Conway.

For further information call them at 843/248-4527, 843/248-3558, or visit (www.conwayglass.com).

Officials with the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, SC, announced today that they will celebrate the art museum’s 15th anniversary with “I (Heart) Art,” a yearlong calendar of events. The events will kick off with a community-wide event on Feb. 4, 2012. Officials from the Art Museum also unveiled a new museum logo and a special logo for I (Heart) Art.

Work by Steven Forbes-deSoule show in 2011

Throughout the year, the Art Museum staff will team with other community arts partners to expand the range of events offered to the public and increase awareness of arts and cultural events across the Grand Strand and the region.

Events throughout the year will include:

the Collector’s Event, where new and seasoned art collectors will acquire original art at a bargain price; a juried exhibition of high school students work and a children’s art auction; a summer-long, oceanview putt-putt course on museum grounds with art-themed holes; and an art-to-wear and hair runway competition that showcases local designers and hair stylists.

The citizens and groups responsible for the conception and realization of the museum will be honored at a reception in January, prior to the beginning of I (Heart) Art.

A full calendar of events, list of exhibitions, and other community arts opportunities are available at the museum or on the museum website.

Work by William Jameson on view now

One of the first art exhibitions scheduled for 2012 is From Tree to Treasure: An International Invitational Exhibit of Turned or Sculpted Wood. It will showcase more than 50 works by dozens of artists from all over the country and world.

The museum owns the Barbara Burgess and John Dinkelspiel Collection of Southern Art that includes paintings by renowned artist Jonathan Green, the Mapmakers’ Art, the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild Collection and the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum’s Permanent Collection.

The museum first opened to the public in June 1997, but was conceived 13 years before by a small group of Myrtle Beach visionaries-artists, art patrons, business leaders, cultural enthusiasts and other private citizens.

Work by Brian Rutenberg on view in 2011

The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is the only art museum in Horry and Georgetown counties. Opened in 1997, this nonprofit art museum is located in the south end of Myrtle Beach at 3100 South Ocean Boulevard and contains six first floor galleries with rotating exhibits, four second-floor galleries, an art studio, an art resource library, reception room and tea porch with an ocean view. It is also the home to art programs for all ages and 21 works by renowned South Carolina artist Jonathan Green. The art museum was named after Myrtle Beach pioneers Franklin G. Burroughs and Simeon B. Chapin for their longtime contributions to the cultural and educational development of the community. Components of museum programs are funded in part by support from the city of Myrtle Beach, the Horry County Council and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The art museum’s hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sundays, 1 to 4pm. Admission is free.

For further information call the Museum at 843/238-2510 or at (www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org).

When it comes to discovering, exploring or feeding your inner artist, look no further than the triangle’s hub for creative inspiration, Artspace in Raleigh, NC. Recently, Artspace realized that its website did not embody the creative experience that can be found in its artist studios or gallery exhibitions. As a result Artspace reached out to the partner agency that helped establish its brand personality and set the tone for the promise of Artspace three years ago – R+M, a brand development and management agency.

“Artspace has inspired more than two million people to experience the creative process over the past 25 years,” stated Executive Director Mary Poole. “When we engaged R+M three years ago to assist us in clearly articulating our unique value to the community, they got it. They helped us establish the attributes of our brand, determine our position in the marketplace and connect emotionally to the triangle community. When it came to refreshing our presence on the web, we knew we could count on R+M to capture the essence of the Artspace brand and deliver it in a virtual environment. As expected, the result is fantastic.”

As Artspace celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, the board and leadership are using this landmark year to truly reflect on the mission of inspiring creative energy and look at the organization as a whole and how it is delivering its brand personality to the community. The launch of the website for Artspace comes on the heels of refreshing the exterior of the building with a fresh coat of paint and new signage and the kick-off of its 25th Anniversary at the annual Collectors Gala, which benefitted Artspace exhibitions, educational programming and community outreach to children and adults in difficult circumstances.

“The timing of this work was a perfect opportunity to ensure the community sees Artspace, across every channel, in a manner that is true to their brand and their commitment to inspire creative energy,” stated R+M’s Executive Vice President Greg Norton. “Everyday, we at R+M immerse ourselves in the creative process to address all varieties of challenges for our clients. Continuing our partnership and support of Artspace keeps us tuned-in to the role that creativity plays in the hyper-competitive corporate world. That makes this partnership a true win-win for all involved.”

R+M creates experiences that get people talking about brands that positively impact our health, well-being and social responsibility. The agency’s whole-brand approach leverages traditional tactics alongside unconventional approaches that connect our clients with their customers. Though the agency has garnered its share of local and national recognition, it’s most proud of its passion for hunger relief and prevention, encouraging kids to be active and getting client high fives for making marketing budgets act twice their size. Get activated at (www.rmagency.com).

Artspace is a nonprofit visual art center dedicated to providing arts education and community outreach programs, creating an environment of more than 100 professional artists and presenting nationally acclaimed exhibitions. Located in downtown Raleigh in the historic Sanders Ford building, Artspace has been providing the community with the opportunity to interact with working artists and to participate in hands-on arts education since 1986.

For more information about Artspace, exhibitions or membership, please visit (www.artspacenc.org).

The Pamlico County Arts Council is pleased to again sponsor the 9th Annual Art on the Neuse Outdoor Arts Festival in Oriental, NC, on Saturday, May 12, 2012, from 9am to 4pm, at the Oriental Marina & Inn Courtyard.

All media accepted. Original Art only. Outdoor booths (approx. 10ft x 10ft) for the day is $30 and no commission is charged on art sales. New artists must submit visuals and a bio.

Please visit our website (http://www.pamlicoarts.org/opportunities.html) for guidelines and registration form.

There will be live music throughout the festival: Jazz, Folk & Country.

Just a 40 minutes’ drive from New Bern, NC, Oriental is located at the mouth of the Neuse River and the Pamlico Sound. It is the sailing capital of North Carolina – where boats outnumber people 3 to 1. We are laid back here! Come visit!

Pamlico County Arts Council, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is the designated county partner of NC Arts.

For further info visit (http://www.pamlicoarts.org).

Seagrove, NC……And someone said that making a tile is as close to a painting as a potter can get – how wrong they were!  The NC Pottery Center presents “The Potter’s Palette”, featuring over 80 12” x 12” canvases done by prominent NC clay artists. Clay artists from around the state were invited to produce a canvas using any medium they desired to present a different expression of themselves and their talent, to be sold in a fundraiser to benefit the North Carolina Pottery Center. The results are impressive and are currently on display at the Center in Seagrove.

This rare and unique fundraiser is the first of its kind at the NC Pottery Center. On Feb. 4, 2012, the public will have the opportunity to bid on these palettes and the opportunity to own a canvas created in a medium not used everyday by these outstanding artists. Truly a one-of-a-kind piece to complement any pottery collection! Many of the artists will be featured guests, and there will be several clay creations to complement the canvases available to purchase as well, making it really a one of a kind purchase.

Painting by Mary Paul & John Garland

The canvases are posted on the NC Pottery Center’s website (www.ncpotterycenter.org) and absentee bidding will soon be offered until Feb. 1, 2012, at 4pm, for those who can not attend this special event. The fun and festive event begins at 4pm on Feb. 4, 2012, with live musical entertainment and a delectable buffet featuring an array of delicious hors d’oeuvres from gourmet bites to seafood and cheeses to desserts and much more. Join us for this wonderful spread and a selection of beverages while you preview the collection and register to bid. The exciting auction starts at 5pm.

Painting by Mark Hewitt

Participating clay artists include: Rita Abee, Colleen Black Semelka, John Britt, Tammy Leigh Brooks, Jeff Brown, Michele Hastings, Bonnie Burns, Kim Ellington, Mary Farrell, Alexa Modderno, Michelle Flowers, Becca Floyd, Mary Paul and John Garland, Terry Gess, Vicki Gill, Tom Gray, Mark Hewitt, Meredith Heywood, Helene Icard, Tonda Jeffcoat, Fred Johnston, Carol  Genthithes, Matt Jones, Jennie Lorette Keatts, Crystal King, Bruce and Janice Latham, Andrew Linton, Nancy Lovejoy, Dan Lovejoy, Mary Holmes, Michael Mahan, Eck McCanless, Milly McCanless, Fiva McCanless, Beth Gore, Karen Mickler, Lyn Morrow, Vernon Owens, Pam Owens, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Phillip Pollet, Hal and Eleanor Pugh, Joseph Sand, Caroleen Sanders, Barbara Strassberg, Tom Suomalainen, Bobbie Thomas, Doc Welty, Charlotte Wooten, Daphne Cruz Zug, Kyle Carpenter, Seo Eo, Roy Strassberg, Abe Fenberg, Susan McGehee, Levi Mahan, Ben Owen III, LoriAnn Owen, Samantha Henneke, Bruce Gholson, Daniel  Johnston, Kate Waltman, John Viegland, Alex Matisse, Donna Craven, Susan Greene, Anne Raven Jorgensen, Stephanie Martin, Michael Kline, Cynthia Bringle, and Keith Lambert.

Painting by Becca Floyd

Painting by Meredith Heywood

Tickets are $15 per person, or $25 for a pair, and must be purchased in advance.

The North Carolina Pottery Center offers educational opportunities to statewide schools and individuals, changing historical and contemporary exhibitions, demonstrations, and information about statewide potters. The NCPC is a private nonprofit entity, funded primarily through memberships, grants, admissions, and appropriations. The Center is open Tuesdays – Saturdays 10am to 4pm, admission (excluding free special events): $2 – adults, $1 – students 9th through 12th grades, Free – children through 8th grade, free – NCPC members.  Handicap accessible. Groups and tours welcomed.

Painting by Jennie Lorette Keatts

Painting by Daphnie Cruz Xug

For further information and details call 336/873-8430, e-mail to (info@ncpotterycenter.org) or visit (www.NCPotteryCenter.org).

Editor’s Note: The NC Potter Center is a great place to visit if only to learn about pottery, the history of pottery in North Carolina, what kind of pottery is being made in North Carolina today as well as the Seagrove area, but beyond that, it presents important and education exhibitions of pottery – historical and contemporary. It is also a great educational facility for the region’s school students. And because offering all that takes money – lots of money – they need the public’s help to supplement the funding they receive from local, regional, state and national sources. Whether you take part in one of the fundraisers offered, you can always make a donation – on a visit, by mail or on their website. Anything you can do will make a difference.