City of North Charleston (SC) Seeks Designer for Industrial Tank Mural – Deadline Postmarked June 30, 2013

The City of North Charleston (SC) seeks to commission a graphic artist to design a large outdoor mural for a privately owned storage tank located at 1003 East Montague Avenue near the Olde Village area of North Charleston.

Professional graphic artists residing in the Tri-County area (Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties) are invited to submit their qualifications for the public art project. A Mural Committee comprised of city officials, business leaders, and community leaders will select one artist to create the mural design. The total budget for this project has been set at $5000 and involves all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: artist’s design fees, materials, production costs, travel, documentation, and any permits, license, or insurance.

The mural will measure 140’w x 40’h and will be fabricated on cast white vinyl and professionally mounted to the carbon steel tank.

Interested artists should contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854 or by e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org) for the complete commission prospectus. Application materials must be hand delivered by 5pm on Friday, June 28, 2013, or postmarked by Sunday, June 30, 2013. Artists will be notified of the commission award by July 10, 2013.

The mural design must be created using Adobe Illustrator or equivalent graphic design software and incorporate the logo of the tank owner, ODFJELL. The final design must be completed by August 31, 2013, to allow the mural fabricator adequate time to manufacture and install the mural in September.  The ideal design would create excitement and interest for the community, honor the history of the community, compliment the redevelopment initiatives of the community, and be appropriate to the location.

Graphic artists applying for the commission must demonstrate the skill and ability needed to produce this type of commissioned design work. The selected artist must be willing to learn about the community and is expected to collaborate with city staff and the Mural Committee through a series of meetings to develop concepts for the mural and the final design. Communication and coordination with city staff, the Mural Committee, and the mural fabricator throughout the design and installation process is necessary to ensure quality and compatibility.

In order to be considered for the commission, graphic artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following materials:

A. Letter of Interest describing specific interest in the project, potential approach, and any relevant past experience (1 page limit)

B. Current resume/CV

C. A minimum of ten slides, quality photographs, or digital images of artist’s work that accurately represent the artist’s aesthetics and style.  All images must be accompanied by a brief description of the artwork, title, location, size, and completion date.

D.   A list of three professional client references. The list must include complete address and telephone number for each reference.

E.   A self-addressed stamped envelope should be included if materials are to be returned.

F.   Optional application materials – the artist’s web site may be listed and/or up to three additional materials may be submitted such as reviews, news articles, awards, or other related information.

The City of North Charleston reserves the right to reject all applications and/or adjust the project time line. Application materials should be submitted by the deadline to the City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Director, Marty Besancon. Hand-deliver to the Cultural Arts Department office on the second floor of North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane, or mail to City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC, 29419-9016.

For more information about the ODFJELL tank mural commission, contact Marty Besancon at 843/740-5850 or e-mail to (mbesancon@northcharleston.org). To learn more about other programs and artist opportunities offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit (
http://bit.ly/culturalarts
).

Teaching Artists Sought for After School Arts Enrichment Programs in North Charleston, SC – Apply by July 10, 2013

Thanks to the dedication of Mayor Summey and City Council, the City of North Charleston, SC, continues to provide after school programs to several public elementary schools within city limits. One component of these programs is arts enrichment classes facilitated by the City’s Cultural Arts Department. The department is seeking teaching artists in all disciplines to offer these classes for the 2013/14 school year. Local artists with a willingness to share their talents and an ability to work with young students are invited to participate in this after school arts enrichment program.

Photo by North Charleston Cultural Arts Staff

Thirteen elementary schools in North Charleston are identified sites. Classes are held for one hour twice a week with instructors rotating to a new school site on a bi-monthly basis. The number of participants will vary at each site and teaching artists should anticipate working with large groups of children. A site staff person is available to offer assistance. Rate of pay for these part-time positions is $20 an hour and a limited supply budget is available depending on the needs of the arts discipline. A minimum two month commitment is requested, which results in 16 one hour classes. To insure the safety of the children, background checks are required.

Photo by North Charleston Cultural Arts Staff

Interested artists should submit a class proposal form and resume by July 10, 2013 to be considered for this program, as rotations begin in September. Forms are available for download from the Applications and Registration Forms page at (
http://bit.ly/culturalarts
). Application materials may be e-mailed to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org) or mailed to the attention of Nancy Rodriguez at City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Dept., PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC, 29419-9016.

Photo by North Charleston Cultural Arts Staff
For more information, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854.

City of North Charleston (SC) Announces Winners of Judged Fine Art & Photography Competitions

Fine artists and amateur and professional photographers from across the state were invited to participate in the “2013 Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography Competitions & Exhibitions”, organized annually by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and presented May 3-11 as a component of the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival in North Charleston, SC.  A total of 168 fine art entries were accepted in the categories of oil, acrylic, watercolor, drawing/pastel, and 2D mixed media. Cash awards totaling $3,250 were made at the sole discretion of the judge, Sara C. Arnold, Curator of Collections at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston.

After making her selections, Arnold stated, “The Lowcountry is fortunate to have such an event that displays the talents of our local artists.” She continued, “All the applicants should be commended for their entries. It is a pleasure to see such variety in both media and in style represented in the competition.”

A total of 230 entries were accepted in photography, which were split into the divisions of Professional/Advanced and Amateur and categorized as color or monochrome. Cash awards totaling $1,450 were awarded by a panel of three judges using the Photographic Society of America Print Guidelines. Each judge evaluated entries as a whole, considering the areas of impact, composition, and technique.

In addition to awards given by the judges, three fine art pieces were selected for City of North Charleston Purchase Awards. These pieces will be added to the City of North Charleston’s Permanent Public Art Collection, which is on display within North Charleston City Hall throughout most of the year.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Best in Show – Fine Art
“In My Mother’s Arms” by Nizar/Kelvin Blufton

City of North Charleston Purchase Awards
“The Stretch” by Bob Graham
“Due South” by Elliot B. West
“Green Wave” by Angela Smith

Fine Art – Acrylic
1st Place – “Festival Fiddle” by Brenda Gilliam
2nd place – “Study in Public” by Jean Spencer
3rd Place – “Insomnia” by David Helmerick
Honorable Mention – “Play On” by Pedro Rodriguez
Honorable Mention – “Ishmael” by Amanda McLenon
Honorable Mention – “Against the Odds” by Jack Vanderpol

Fine Art – Oil
1st Place – “The Promise” by Blaine Tailer-Kimball Dixon
2nd Place – “Waiting” by Sherri Bardsley
3rd Place – “Gullah Woman” by Denny Stevenson
Honorable Mention – “Strolling the Gardens” by Sandra J. Booker
Honorable Mention – “Decelerating” by Sally Accetta
Honorable Mention – “A in Green” by Judy McSween
Honorable Mention – “Street Crossing” by Peter Scala

Fine Art – Drawing/Pastel
1st place – “Second Glance” by Bob Graham
2nd Place – “Blended Trees” by Dolores Hayes Lott
3rd Place – “Pitcher & Pine Cone” by Sherry Bevins
Honorable Mention – “Live Oak” by Nancy Davidson
Honorable Mention – “Fishing Spot” by Mary Brigman

Fine Art – Watercolor
1st Place – “Kevina” by Lynda Lawrence
2nd Place – “Abandoned” by Becky Taylor
3rd Place – “Daybreak in the Town of Two Harbors” by Dorothy Shromoff
Honorable Mention – “Cosmos in Bloom” by Becky Taylor
Honorable Mention – “Evil Eye” by Charlotte Holman

Fine Art – 2D Mixed Media
1st Place – “Ship High in Transit” by Denise Greer
2nd Place – “All the Earth” by Deborah Neal
3rd Place – “Equilibrium at Risk” by Lara Neece
Honorable Mention – “Home Grown” by Linda Wasielewski
Honorable Mention – “City Jail” by Shawn Allison
Honorable Mention – “See Through” by Paige Duvall
Honorable Mention – “Resting in Style” by Don Roberts

Professional Photography – Color
1st Place – “Bride of Magnolia” by Donnie Smith
2nd Place – “Daughters of Confederacy Building” by Vanessa Kauffmann
3rd Place – “Forster’s (Tern) Flight 39″ by Raymond Colin Murray
Honorable Mention – “Relics of the Past” by Raymond Colin Murray
Honorable Mention – “Edwin S. Fishing Pier at Twilight” by Raymond Colin Murray

Professional Photography – Monochrome
1st Place – “Studebaker” by Peter Ingrasselino
2nd Place – “Got an Itch” by Gloria Welch
3rd Place – “Abandoned” by Vanessa Kauffmann
Honorable Mention – “Shem Creek – Rigged & Ready” by Chris Rogers

Amateur Photography – Color
1st Place – “Snow Ram” by Rick Dandridge
2nd Place – “Osprey #1″ by Andy Reilly
3rd Place – “Dolbadarn Castle” by Rick Dandridge
Honorable Mention – “Henpecked” by Jim Miller
Honorable Mention – “Bumper Pool” by Jim Miller

Amateur Photography – Monochrome
1st Place – “Racer” by Andy Reilly
2nd Place – “Girl with Cup” by Mark Melcher
3rd Place – “Remembering Italy: Tempi Passati” by Gabi Simon
Honorable Mention – “Carousel Horse” by Kaitlin Carroll
Honorable Mention – “French Hugenot Church at Dawn” by Douglas A. Fraze
Honorable Mention – “Hold on to Faith” by Brenda Bihlear

For information about additional exhibition opportunities offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, call 843/740-5854 or e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org). For details on the North Charleston Arts Festival, visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com).

City of North Charleston (SC) Announces Winners of “SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition”

Fine craft artists and artisans from across South Carolina were invited to participate in the “12th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition”, the state’s only juried fine craft competition and exhibition. Organized annually by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the show was presented May 3-11 as a component of the 2013North Charleston Arts Festival held in North Charleston, SC.

Following an extensive pre-jury process, 47 applicants were asked to participate and 120 entries were submitted in the categories of clay, fiber, metal, wood, and 3D mixed media. Cash awards totaling $6,500 were made at the sole discretion of the juror, Karen Derksen, Director of Winthrop University Galleries and lecturer for the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Design at Winthrop in Rock Hill, SC. After making her selections, Derksen stated, “Jurying a show is one of the most gratifying undertakings of my position and also one of the most challenging. I enjoy the opportunity to view the inspiring work being created in our state and as expected the entries in this year’s Palmetto Hands exhibition demonstrate what accomplished artists and creative, high quality work is being produced in South Carolina.” She continued, “It is always exciting to see what is developing in fine craft, as it captures traditions and evolves into a modern contemporary context. Overall, I was impressed with the quality of the submissions. My heartfelt congratulations go to all included artists, and especially to the award winners.”

“Baseball Shoe High Top” by Dennis Vernon (Best in Show)

After awarding ribbons, Derksen also selected pieces from the show to assemble a “South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Traveling Exhibition”, which will tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2013/2014 Traveling Exhibitions Program. “One of my goals was to select a show that would express the diversity of the mediums and styles that I was observing,” Dersken said. “My purpose when selecting an exhibition is to be intentional about the relationship of one artwork to another and create an overall totality that tells a story.” The Traveling Exhibitions Program gives galleries, museums, and art centers across South Carolina the opportunity to request the exhibit to tour their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists.

In addition to awards given by the juror, three pieces were selected for City of North Charleston Purchase Awards. These pieces will be added to the City of North Charleston’s Permanent Public Art Collection, which is on display within North Charleston City Hall throughout most of the year.

Congratulations to the winners of the “2013 SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition”:

Best of Show
“Baseball Shoe High Top” (Mixed Media) by Dennis Vernon (Okatie, SC)

Outstanding Merit
“A Smoked Salmon” (Clay) by Patz Fowle (Hartsville, SC)
From Tuscaloosa to Timbuktu (Mixed Media) by Kim Keats (Okatie, SC)

City of North Charleston Purchase Awards
“Upright Fish with Octopus” (Clay) by John Davis (North Charleston, SC)
“The Elegance of Grace” (Mixed Media) by Georgette Willis Sanders (McClellanville, SC)
“Hands Off!” (Clay) by Pamela Steele (Gilbert, SC)

“A Smoked Salmon” by Patz Fowle (Outstanding Merit)

Honorable Mentions
“A Price Greater Than Rubies” (Mixed Media) by Dina Barron (Summerville, SC)
“Within” (Clay) by Fiorenzo Berardozzi (Charleston, SC)
“Botanicals (Illustrations From My Garden)” (Mixed Media) by Cynthia Colbert (Lexington, SC)
“Beetle with Bumps” (Clay) by John Davis (North Charleston, SC)
“Hourglass Dulcimer” (Wood) by Dean Eades (Seneca, SC)
“Petals” (Clay) by Sheri Farbstein (Hilton Head, SC)
“Anonymous” (Fiber) by Susan Lenz (Columbia, SC)
“Red Coral” (Clay) by Deborah Mather (Murrel’s Inlet, SC)
“Original Tartan Design #1″ (Large) (Fiber) by Beth Melton (Rock Hill, SC)
“Glory” (Mixed Media) by Georgette Willis Sanders (McClellanville, SC)
“Enlightened Fish” (Mixed Media) by Matt Wilson (North Charleston, SC)
“The Potato Help” (Mixed Media) by Michael Woodle (Conway, SC)

SC Palmetto Hands Traveling Exhibition Selections included:

“Jughead” (Clay) by Deborah Appleby (North Charleston, SC)
“A Price Greater Than Rubies” (Mixed Media) by Dina Barron (Summerville, SC)
“Beachcombers” (Mixed Media) by Margaret Bass (Eastover, SC)
“Koi Pond” (Mixed Media) by Margaret Bass (Eastover, SC)
“Every Child Deserves a Home” (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
“A Place of Her Own” (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
“Doll House” (Fiber) by Ellen Byrd (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
“My Garden of Earthly Delights” (Mixed Media) by Cynthia Colbert (Lexington, SC)
“Beetle with Bumps” (Clay) by John Davis (North Charleston, SC)
“Serving Platter” (Clay) by John Davis (North Charleston, SC)
“Petals” (Clay) by Sheri Farbstein (Hilton Head, SC)
“Patz’s Picasso Pot” (Clay) by Patz Fowle (Hartsville, SC)
“Play – Circle No. 2″ (Clay) by Miyako Fujiwara (Charleston, SC)
“Play – Circle No. 7″ (Clay) by Miyako Fujiwara (Charleston, SC)
“Phillip Simmons Heart Gate” (Fiber) by Arianne King Comer (North Charleston, SC)
“My Life as a Tree Totem” (Mixed Media) by Kim Keats (Okatie, SC)
“Anonymous” (Fiber) by Susan Lenz (Columbia, SC)
“Red Coral” (Clay) by Deborah Mather (Murrel’s Inlet, SC)
“Tuned” (Clay) by Deborah Mather (Murrel’s Inlet, SC)
“Original Tartan Design #1″ (Large) (Fiber) by Beth Melton (Rock Hill, SC)
“Baseball Shoe High Top” (Mixed Media) by Dennis Vernon (Okatie, SC)
“The Potato Help” (Mixed Media) by Michael Woodle (Conway, SC)

“From Tuscaloosa to Timbuktu” by Kim Keats (Outstanding Merit)

For more information about the “South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition” and other exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854, e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com).

Organizations interested in hosting the traveling exhibition should contact Jeff Powley, South Carolina State Museum Outreach Manager, at 803/737-4159 or e-mail to (jeff.powley@scmuseum.org).

City of North Charleston (SC) Announces Winners of “National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition”

Sculpture artists from across the nation applied to the “8th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition”, displayed at the picturesque North Charleston Riverfront Park in North Charleston, SC, and presented as a component of the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival. Organized annually by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this unique, eleven month exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their thought provoking, extraordinary sculptures, as well as compete for up to $17,250 in honorariums and awards.

Nine out of 47 submissions were pre-juried into the exhibition by the juror, Janet Kagan, a Founding Principal of the Public Art Collaborative with more than three decades of experience in strategic planning with established and emergent art programs and management of projects representing both artists and agencies. Once installed at the exhibition site, Kagan then made her selections for Best in Show, Outstanding Merit, and Honorable Mentions.

“Bunny” by Jeff Brewer (Best in Show)

“I am honored to jury the 2013 National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition at Riverfront Park. It is a privilege to contribute to the appreciation of art in a landscaped, public context,” Kagan stated. She continued, “Each of the 2013 selections eloquently speak to us and elucidate how the artists’ ideas translated into material form, the works’ relationship to both physical and human nature, and our evoked impulses for interaction and surprise. These nine sculptures create surface tensions that play with angled voids and intersections. No two perspectives are the same as we walk toward, around and in the works. There is also a heft associated with these artworks – not just in their material, color, and scale, but in their aesthetic request for connection and dialogue. I hope you will mingle with, touch, and listen to the voices the works articulate.”

The nine sculptures selected for exhibition are by nine artists from six states. Congratulations to the winners of the 2013/4 National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition:

“Bunny” (steel) by Jeff Brewer – Nacogdoches, TX (Best in Show)
“Tier II” (painted steel) by Anne Melanie – Greenville, NC  (Outstanding Merit)
“Transponder” (steel) by Gary Gresko – Oriental, NC (Hon. Mention)
“Life” (painted steel) by Adam Walls – Lauvinburg, NC (Hon. Mention)
“A Little Less Than Meets the Eye” (steel) by Bill Wood – Fairfax, VA (Hon. Mention)
“Ender’s Enigma” (corten/painted steel) by Davis Whitfield IV – Mountain City, TN
“The Burning” (carved limestone) by Paris Alexander – Raleigh, NC
“Cowl” (oiled steel) by Carl Billingsley – Ayden, NC
“Daddy Longlegs” (steel) by John W. Parker – Glendside, PA

“Tier II” by Ann Melanie (Outstanding Merit)

Sculpture sites are located throughout North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue on the former Charleston Naval Base.  The park is set on the banks of the beautiful Cooper River.  In addition the sculptures visitors may enjoy ten acres of walking paths, a performance pavilion, picnic shelter, a fishing pier and boardwalk, an oversized sandbox, and children’s play fountain.  The historic site is centered in the Noisette District, the largest urban redevelopment project ever undertaken in the US.

The 2013/14 National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition will be on display through March, 2014. For more information or to be added to the application mailing list for the 2014/15 Competition, please call 843/740-5854 or e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org). Visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com) to view photographs and artist statements.

Peter Scala’s Art Scene Gets Active

After having his artwork appear on the cover of the March 2013 issue of Carolina Arts, Peter Scala of North Charleston, SC, faces an active calendar of events including:

Scala is one of 60 artists selected to be part of the 2013 South Carolina Arts Foundation’s Auction/Verner Sale, held on May 1, 2013, at 7pm at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley Street, Columbia, SC. Scala’s works, “Lavender Lady is that a Maybe, Purred the Purple Cat”; “A Gaze Blank and Pitiless as the Sun” will be auctioned; and “Plucked” is on sale.  For info visit (www.southcarolinaarts.com/verner/gala.shtml).

Ode to a Radish by Peter Scala

Scala’s “Ode to a Radish” was juried into the Art League of Hilton Head’s Biennale Show, on view from May 4 through June 3, 2013, at the Walter Greer Gallery at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, located at 14 Shelter Cove Lane on Hilton Head Island, SC. A reception will be held on May 3, from 5-7pm.

Scala will also have two works, “Scent” and “Drifting” entered into the “North Charleston 2013 Arts Festival Exhibit,” on view from May 3 – 11, 2013, at the Charleston Area Convention Complex, North Charleston, SC. A reception will be held on May 3, from 6-7pm.

The online gallery, Upstream People Gallery, selected six of Scala’s works to be included in the “10th Annual Color: Bold/Subtle Juried Online International Art Exhibition,” on view at (
http://www.upstreampeoplegallery.com/exhibition/default.asp?XD=12/1/2012&AN=Mazer%2C+Mike
). The juror had this to say about Scala’s works, “Peter Scala of North Charleston, South Carolina has a wonderful sense of artistic expression with a rather contemporary cubistic style. His “Street Crossing” shows some interesting characters. His “Dusk (at the Beach)” shows the more desaturated colors of this time of day, together with the playful shapes and lines to express the scene. “S. of Broad St.” is another one of his abstract interpretations in mostly cool colors.

Art Buzz, The 2013 Collection: The Worldwide, Juried Fine Art Search…Awarded 2nd place in oils and a two page spread in Art Buzz Collection 2013 to Scala. This hard cover coffee table format book is available to galleries and collectors, showing artist’s work from around the world.

Visit (www.peterscala.com) to view more of Peter Scala’s work.

City of North Charleston (SC) Cultural Arts Department Calls for Proposals for Half-Moon Outfitters Mural Competition – Deadline Apr. 19, 2013

Half-Moon Outfitters is partnering with the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department to host a public mural competition. Lowcountry visual artists age 18 and up are invited to submit proposals for a public art piece to be installed on the exterior of Half-Moon Outfitters’ new building addition, the Half-Moon Annex, located on the corner of East Montague and Jenkins Avenues in the Olde Village area of North Charleston, SC. Up to three artists will be selected. Selected artists will be given a materials stipend to create an 8’x8’ mural and have an opportunity to compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. Deadline for proposals is 5:00pm on Friday, Apr. 19, 2013.

To apply, artists must provide sketches of the proposed mural, a written description of the piece including information on medium, inspiration, and execution methods, a resume, and contact information. Application materials should be submitted by the deadline to City of North Charleston Arts Coordinator, AnneTrabue W. Nelson, via e-mail, post, or hand-delivery to:

E-mail at (anelson@northcharleston.org)

Post: City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department,
PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC 29419-9016

Hand-delivery: Cultural Arts Dept. Office, North Charleston City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC, 29406

There is no theme for the mural competition; however, mural concepts must be family-friendly and appropriate for public display. Half-Moon Outfitters will furnish an 8’x8’ wooden panel and a $100 materials stipend for each selected artist. Any additional materials expenses must be covered by the artist. Artists will be notified of selections by Friday, Apr. 26, 2013. Murals must be complete and ready for installation by Tuesday, May 7, 2013. A free public reception will be held in honor of the mural artists during the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk on Wednesday, May 8, from 5-8pm. During the event, the public will be invited to vote on their favorite mural. Results of the vote will determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, which are Half-Moon Outfitters gift cards in the amounts of $300, $200, and $100, respectively.

For more information about the Half-Moon Outfitters public mural competition, contact AnneTrabue W. Nelson at 843/740-5852 or e-mail at (anelson@northcharleston.org). For more information about Half-Moon Outfitters, visit (www.halfmoonoutfitters.com). To learn more about other programs and artist opportunities offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit (
http://bit.ly/culturalarts
).

Half-Moon Outfitters, founded in 1993 and based in Charleston, SC, features clothing and gear for adventure and travel. Offering lines that include Patagonia, The North Face, Chaco, Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear, experienced staff members guide customers through equipment selection with safety, comfort and fun in mind. Half-Moon employees share a love of the outdoors with a commitment to the environment. Half-Moon Outfitters has eight stores in South Carolina and Georgia and also a Web-based store.

For more information, visit (www.halfmoonoutfitters.com).

2013 North Charleston Arts Festival in North Charleston, SC, Offers Exhibition, Presentation, and Vending Opportunities

The 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival will be presented May 3-11, 2013, throughout North Charleston, SC. Applications for Art Walk, Art & Craft Vendors, Food Vendors, Youth Art, and Opening Processional and entry instructions for Juried Art Competitions and Exhibitions (Fine Art and Photography) are now available. All forms can be downloaded from the Applications page at (www.northcharlestonartsfest.com).

Deadlines include:
Judged Art entries accepted: May 1 & 2, 2013
Photography entries accepted: May 2, 2013
Youth Art entries accepted: May 3, 2013
Deadline for Art Walk application: April 15, 2013
Deadline for Art & Craft Vendor application: April 15, 2013
Deadline for Food Vendor application: April 15, 2013
Deadline for Opening Processional: April 19, 2013

Visual Artists and Fine Craft Artisans Sought for Annual Co-Op Gallery in North Charleston, SC – Deadline Mar. 1, 2013

Applications are now being accepted from visual artists and fine craft artisans for participation in The Meeting Place Art and Fine Craft Co-Op, an annual, temporary artist-run gallery coordinated by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and presented as a component of the North Charleston Arts Festival. The Co-Op is dedicated to presenting many artists of varied backgrounds working in a diverse array of media and representing a full range of styles. Eligible applicants include South Carolina artists, ages 18 and up, creating original fine art, fine crafts, photography, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, glass, sculpture, and more. There is no fee to apply. Applications can be found online on the Applications page at (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com).

Deadline for applications is Friday, Mar. 1, 2013.

The Meeting Place Art and Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery is located at 1077 East Montague Avenue in the Olde Village area of North Charleston. Operating hours are Fridays and Saturdays, Apr. 5 through June 1, 2013, and are overseen by participating artists. A free, public reception will be held at the gallery during the North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk on Wednesday, May 8, from 5-8pm.

The 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival is scheduled for May 3-11. The nine-day celebration of arts and culture provides over 30,000 thousand residents and visitors with an array of performances, exhibitions, and activities.  The Main Event, held the first weekend in May, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances on four themed stage stages; General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Youth Entertainment, and Bands. Other Main Event activities include judged art and photography shows, the SC Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibit, a gem & mineral show, an antique show, children’s activities, art and craft booths, and a food courtyard.  The Arts Festival continues with over sixty events and exhibitions throughout the week at various locations.  An array of free and ticketed offerings include street dances, concerts, theater presentations, film screenings, an art walk, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, a National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, and much more. The festival concludes with the Grand Finale at North Charleston Riverfront Park featuring performances by professional groups and Tri-county schools, children’s activities, and fireworks over the Cooper River.

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, The Meeting Place Art and Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854, e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com).

North Charleston Arts Festival Reveals 2013 Design Competition Winner

The City of North Charleston (SC) Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce “A Train,” an abstract acrylic painting by Linda Elksnin, as the winner of the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition. As the winner of the statewide competition, Elksnin’s original design will be used to promote the 2013 North Charleston Arts Festival, taking place May 3-11, 2013.  In addition, the piece will become part of the City of North Charleston’s Public Art Collection.

According to Elksnin, “A Train” is her attempt to capture the color and movement of jazz. “The painting is titled in honor of Duke Ellington, whose orchestra made the Billy Strayhorn standard, Take the ‘A’ Train, its signature tune,” she explains. When asked why she felt the piece was appropriate to submit for the competition, the artist replied, “I believe A Train captures the excitement of the North Charleston Arts Festival. It depicts the interconnectedness of the people involved in the event – the visual and performing artists, the audience, and the festival organizers.”

Born in Pennsylvania, Elksnin’s passion for art began in elementary school when she took classes at the Philadelphia College of Art. After receiving her BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University, her career path took a different turn when she taught art to children with disabilities. After earning master’s and doctoral degrees in special education from the University of Virginia, Elksnin came to The Citadel to coordinate the special education graduate program. She retired in 2006 as Professor Emerita and returned to painting full time at her home in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The inspiration for many of her works comes from eclectic sources such as textiles, self-taught and outsider artists, as well as mainstream artists such as Mark Rothko and Romare Bearden. Whether abstract or loosely based on reality, the common thread of all of her pieces is color and graphically pleasing design.

Elksnin’s work has been shown throughout the southeast in galleries and at juried art shows and festivals. She was awarded Honorable Mention for the Cooper River Bridge Run Poster Design Contest in 1998, as well as the Art in the Park Juried Outdoor Exhibit in Blowing Rock, NC, in 2008. Most recently, her work was selected for an Award of Merit at the Art Market at Honey Horn in Hilton Head, SC, and as the official poster image of the 2012 Piccolo Spoleto Festival Poster Design Contest.

An exhibition of Elksnin’s work will be on display at the North Charleston City Gallery throughout the month of May. The gallery is located within the Charleston Area Convention Center at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Gallery hours are 9am-5pm daily and admission and parking are free. The public is invited to meet the artist at the gallery on May 4 and 5 during the Main Event of the North Charleston Arts Festival. T-shirts and posters featuring the winning design will be available for sale.

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival, or other competition and exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854, e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com). To see more of Linda Elksnin’s work, visit (www.LindaElksninArt.com).