28th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition Taking Place in Charleston, SC, Calls for Entries – Deadline April 21, 2012

The deadline to submit your artwork for consideration is April 21, 2012, by 5pm. The 28th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition is open to all South Carolina residents. Two dimensional artwork (“Painting/2D”) and photography will be accepted. Jurors this year are Sue Simons Wallace and Richard Ellis.

Separate awards for each of two entry categories:  Painting/2D and Photography: 1st Place receives $500;  2nd Place receives $250; 3rd Place receives $150; Ten Honorable Mentions will also be selected. The 2012 exhibition is sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and coordinated by the Charleston Artist Guild.

To download an application click this link.

Charleston Artist Guild Calls for Entries for its Juried Signature Exhibition at the Charleston Visitor Center in Charleston, SC – Deadline Mar. 24, 2012, 5pm

The Charleston Artist Guild calls for entries for its Juried Signature Exhibition at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC, on Apr. 16-21, 2012.

Open to all SC artist, photographers, and sculptors. (Sculptors must provide pedestals) Work must be original, conceived and executed wholly by the artist and recent (2010 or later). Entry fee is $30 for one piece, $50 for two pieces, maximum two pieces. Submit digital entries on CD or by e-mail, (medium resolution please, CDs will not be returned)

Mail entry fee with registration form and CD to:
Charleston Artist Guild
PO Box 21086
Charleston, SC 29413-1086

Size limit: Hanging on screens: maximum 38” width, minimum 8” X 10”, including frame; Hanging on wall: 10 or 13 larger pieces will be accepted on a first come basis, as space is available.

AWARDS: Original Art: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $225, 3rd Place $100, Six $25 Honorable Mentions
Photography: 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $125, 3rd Place $75, Four $15 Honorable Mentions
Photography: 1st Place $300, 2nd Place $125, 3rd Place $75, Four $15 Honorable Mentions

Registration deadline: Mar. 24, 2012, 5pm
Acceptance e-mails sent by: Apr. 7, 2012
Deliver work to Visitor Center: Sunday, Apr. 15, 2012, 12 – 2pm
Show opens: Monday, Apr. 16, 2012, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Awards Reception: Sat., Apr. 21, 2012, 6 – 8pm
Pick-up work: After reception or Sun. Apr. 22, 2012, 12 – 1pm

Note to Exhibitors: At time of drop-off, sign-up to bring a dish to the Thursday reception or contribute $10. Exhibition volunteers are exempt.

Please call the Guild office at 843/722-2454 with any questions, or e-mail to (charlestonartist@bellsouth.net). Or contact Russell Buskirk at 843/364-3580, or e-mail to (follykayakman@hotmail.com).

The entry form is available on our website at (http://www.charlestonartistguild.com/).

Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, Announces Results of First Federal People’s Choice Awards

The Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, has announced the winners of the First Federal People’s Choice Awards, held at First Federal Bank at 34 Broad Street in Charleston during Oct. 2011. The juror of awards, except for the People’s Choice Awards, was Brandy Culp, curator of the Historic Charleston Foundation.

People’s Choice Awards:

Purchase Award went to Ryoko Miller* for “Lynda’s Basket – 40 Years of Memories”

Peoples Choice was given to P. Whaley Baynard for “Charleston Harbor Splender”

Best in Show went to Fred Hutter for “Paper Mill Dawn”

First Place was awarded to Blaine Tailer-Kimbel Dixon* for “San Jacinto”

Second Place went to Mark Beale* for “Fall Marsh Reflections”

Work by Mark Beale

Third Place was given to Pay Forsberg for “Still Life with Blue and White Pot”

Honorable Mentions were given to: Kenneth Hanger* for “Yangtze River”; Fred De Filippo* for “Fan Dance”; Thomas Michael Meddaugh for “Big Al”; Ann Merrill for “Harbor Rhythms”; Susanne Frenzel* for “Tuscany in Red”; and Russell Buskirk* for “Magnolia Oak”.
* = member of CAG Gallery

For further information call the Guild at 843/722-2454 or visit (www.charlestonartistguild.com).

Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, Installs Sculpture at Charleston Hematology Oncology Associates

The Charleston Artist Guild is proud to announce the installation of its auction sculpture “Venus for Life” at the Charleston Hematology Oncology Associates. This sculpture will be installed during the April 2011 to be displayed with the hopes of inspiring those to continue to fight and beat cancer. Joy Roschella, one of the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery members, spearheaded the effort to create this work of art with the help of 12 other artists. Each artist had a canvas (16 ”x 20”) and were given the task of using three colors. The twelve canvases are attached to a four sided wooden shaped box. Placed on the top and bottom are custom made copper pyramids. Simple enough. But look closely, sometimes art can simplify what is otherwise too complicated to see.

Roschella’s mission was to use art to help inspire people and create a new sense of awareness for cancer and saving lives. As inspiration for this sculpture, she chose the painting “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. Bringing it to life as a rotating sculpture was a culmination of efforts by many Artists. The “venus” represents women and movement reflects life. The “Venus” represents the birth of new life and hope that cancer research and cancer centers represent to their patients. Roschella’s vision of bringing the painting to life through sculpture was the challenge. She embarked on this project with the help of many Charleston Artist Guild Gallery members. The first step was to have each artist paint their own rendition of “Venus” in one color using many values. Choosing one color keeps the piece unified while each artist tries to express something within the variation of values. Once completed the canvases were brought together and placed  in a three dimensional moving form. By doing this the artists were able to bring “Venus” alive. Copper was used in the construction of the moving structure to bring, strength, value and texture to the overall piece. Unity and diversity can be found in the collaboration of all twelve gallery artist. By doing one small part of the whole each artist brings to the sculpture a sense of something bigger than themselves! It is a simple idea…that together and only together can we accomplish great things…such as saving lives.

Roschella would like to recognize all artists that contributed to her vision including: Brenda Orcutt, Susanne Frenzel, Faye Sullivan, Steve Jacobs, Russell Buskirk, Ginny Versteegen, Susan Trott, Pam Schussel, James Amella, and Janie Trouche; contributing metal artist include: Adam Everest; contributing photography artist: Susan Frenzel, Brian Corey; contributing printing artist: Bob Wilson; and contributing graphic artist; Cynthia Pollett.

The Charleston Hematology Oncology Associates is located on the 2nd. floor of the new Roper Saint Francis Cancer Center on the campus of St. Francis Hospital, 2085 Henry Tecklenburg Dr., Charleston, SC 29414.

For further information contact Joy Roschella at 843/303-5397or e-mail to (paintingjourney@yahoo.com).

Call for Entries for Piccolo Spoleto Festival, 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition in Charleston, SC – Deadline Apr. 16, 2011

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to present the 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition in the 2011 Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The exhibition will take place at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street, from May 27 through June 10, 2011. An Awards Ceremony and Artists’ Reception will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2011 from 5-7pm. Painting / Two dimensional works and photography will be accepted. The juried art exhibition is sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and coordinated by the Charleston Artist Guild.

Exhibition Jurors: Painting/2 dimensional: Alex Powers, painter and private art teacher since 1970; Gold Medal winner American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition (1997); art workshop presenter in US and Canada; and judge of National Watercolor Society Shows in Los Angeles and many other venues. Photography: Rick Rhodes, Charleston native, professional photographer, and graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography; photographer and author of “Charleston, South Carolina: A  Photographic Portrait”; 1999, Joined the American Society of Media Photographers and current Board member; and owner of Rick Rhodes Photography and Imaging in West Ashley for 12 years.

Awards: First, second and third prizes of $500, $250 and $125, respectively, will be awarded for each of the two entry categories: Painting / 2d and Photography. Ten honorable mentions will also be presented.

Venue and Dates: The exhibition will be available for viewing from 8:30am to 5pm seven days a week from May 28 through June 10.  Located at 375 Meeting Street in Charleston, SC, the Visitor Center is an excellent exhibition venue that draws many viewers. Both the Exhibition and the June 6 Awards Ceremony and Artists’ Reception are free and open to the public.

Application Requirements: Entrants shall submit a signed entry form, digital images of their work on a CD and a $30 entry fee by Saturday, April 16, 2011, to the Charleston Artist Guild, PO Box 21086, Charleston, SC  29413-1086. Entrants may submit up to three works.

Entries (on a cd) may also be delivered to the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery located at 160 East Bay Street, Charleston 29401 during gallery hours (Monday – Saturday from 11am to 6pm and Sunday from 1 to 5pm). (Gallery phone: 843/722-2425).

Entry Forms: Download entry forms from the Charleston Artist Guild or the Piccolo Spoleto Festival websites: (www.charlestonartistguild.com) or (www.piccolospoleto.com).

Entry forms may be picked up at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery and will also be sent by mail or e-mail upon request made to either of the Exhibition Coordinators: Russell Buskirk at 843/364-3580 and e-mail at (follykayakman@hotmail.com) or Steve Jacobs 843/722-2454 and e-mail (charlestonartist@bellsouth.net).

Piccolo Spoleto Festival Indoor Juried Art Applications Are Available – Deadline is Apr. 16, 2011

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and the Charleston Artist Guild are currently accepting applications to the 2011 Piccolo Spoleto Indoor Juried Art Exhibition. The exhibition, a popular component of the Piccolo Spoleto Visual Arts Series for many years, will run from May 27 to June 10, 2011, from 8:30am to 5pm, at the Charleston Visitor Center, located at 375 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, SC. The exhibition showcases paintings, 2D works and photography by South Carolina artists.

Entry forms, as well as more information about the exhibition, including guidelines, are on the Charleston Artist Guild’s website, (www.CharlestonArtistGuild.com). Entry forms are due Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2011, by 5pm, and must be accompanied by a $30 non-refundable application fee.

Produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs since 1979, Piccolo Spoleto is the official outreach program of Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo’s mission is to provide access to the Spoleto Festival USA experience for everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances and to provide the opportunity for excellent local and regional artists, writers and performers to be showcased in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival venues. Piccolo Spoleto receives support from the City of Charleston, the County of Charleston, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and major corporations and foundations. Piccolo Spoleto Title Sponsors are Publix and Publix Super Market Charities. The 2011 season schedule will be announced in the spring. To request a ticket brochure, call the Office of Cultural Affairs at 843/724-7305 or visit (www.PiccoloSpoleto.com).

Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, Holds Fundraiser Reception for Haitian Artist, Duns Sylvaince – Feb. 18, 2011

While the people of Haiti continue to struggle with recovery from the devastating 2010 earthquake, the Charleston Artist Guild and Gallery (CAG) has decided to get involved in Haiti in a very hands-on way. How does a group of artists help this beautiful yet suffering land? By supporting Haitian art! CAG has formed a partnership through League of Hope, a non-profit group with a focus on Haiti that is run by Graham Huff, the son of Pat Huff, who is Co-Manager of Guild’s Gallery along with Mary Sayas.

Through League of Hope, CAG has chosen to support a Haitian artist named Duns Sylvaince. Graham Huff came to know Sylvaince initially through working with him as an English/Creole translator. Sylvaince is a very capable and self-motivated person, and in addition to teaching himself English and Portuguese and working as a translator, he immersed himself in art as a way to make a living. Sylvaince’s paintings include the beautiful emerald green and turquoise colors of the ‘Jewel of the Antilles,’ as Haiti was once known.

Sylvaince states that he tries to make his island-themed paintings look as if it has just freshly rained. He was the featured artist at the 2010 MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston and after seeing the popularity of his work at this event, this CAG partnership was born. The Guild’s main mission is to support artists, and this Haitian partnership will be a direct and meaningful way to help get people in Haiti back to work.

Duns Sylvaince was born in Anse-a-Galets on the island of La Gonave, located in the Gulf of La Gonave about 40 miles from Port Au Prince, Haiti. When we asked this talented young man for a biography, this is what we received (written in the third person)…

“Once upon a time there lived on the remote, poverty stricken island of La Gonave, Haiti, a 14 year old boy named Duns. In the village of Anse-a-Galets where there were so few things for young people to do, Duns loved going each afternoon to an American missionary home where he did pencil sketching under the watchful eye of the artistically talented missionary woman.  Seeing a sketch pad and some markers for the first time, Duns willingly cleaned leaves out of her flower bed and watered the flowers in return for owning these coveted items.”

“Later, while a high school student in Port-au-Prince, he lived with his artist uncle and had the treat of sleeping in his studio.  There he was introduced to the medium of oil paints, and the rest is history.”

“Duns speaks French, Creole, Spanish, Portuguese and English and enjoys teaching English when he gets the chance.  He also enjoys translating for Americans who come to teach or preach on the island.  Musically talented as well, he plays drums, guitar, and enjoys singing.  He lives in his mother’s stick-and-mud house with a younger brother and sister whom he helps to support as he is able.”

A recent quote from the artist: “I find my inspiration in nature.  My purpose is to give back to Haiti through my painting the greenery that she lost.”

Art tells a story, and this artist has a powerful story to share.  Please take part in this CAG partnership by joining us at a reception at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery, 160 East Bay Street, downtown Charleston, on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, from 5-8pm.

Graham Huff of League of Hope will have current photos from Haiti as well more information about Sylvaince. You will also have the opportunity to view several of Duns’ beautiful emerald and turquoise depictions of Haiti.

Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, Presents Art Display for Susan G. Komen For The Cure

The Charleston Artist Guild in Charleston, SC, will present, Venus For The Cure, a window display and silent auction at the Guild Gallery to benefit the Susan G. Komen For The Cure. The venus sculpture will be on display Oct 1 through Nov. 12, 2010.

Joy Roschella, one of the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery members, spearheaded the effort to create this work of art with the help of 12 other artists. Twelve of our very gifted exhibiting artist collaborated and have created twelve original acrylic canvases (16”x 20”) each.

Using permanent alizarine, black and white acrylics. The twelve canvases are attached to a four sided wooden shaped box. Placed on the top and bottom are custom made copper pyramids. This three dimensional art piece will be hanging and rotating slowly in our gallery’s right front window at at 160 East Bay Street in downtown Charleston. This piece was created for the Susan G. Komen For The Cure’s window competition and the silent auction/reception. The silent auction is planned for Friday, Nov. 12, 2010, from 5-8pm.

For more information regarding this event, contact Joy Roschella by e-mail at (paintingjourney@yahoo.com). For further info about the Charleston Artist Guild, call 843/722-2425 or visit (http://www.charlestonartistguild.com/).