Hub City Empty Bowls 2013 Gets Off to an Early Start at the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, SC – June 15, 2013

The popular grassroots fundraiser that helps feed the hungry in Spartanburg, SC – Hub City Empty Bowls-is cranking up early for 2013. The first two bowl-making dates are Saturday, June 15, 2013, from 10am-noon and 1-3pm at the Spartanburg Art Museum School in the Chapman Cultural Center, and Thursday, June 20, 2013, 6-8:30pm at the West Main Artists Co-op in Spartanburg.

The goal of the organizing sponsor, Carolina Clay Artists, is to make more than 1,000 handmade clay bowls to be used on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, when hundreds of people will donate cash in exchange for the colorful and creative bowls filled with soup donated by local restaurants. Everyone is encouraged to help make bowls. No experience in pottery is required. All materials and instruction will be provided free.

After four years of raising tens of thousands of dollars for different hunger-based charities in Spartanburg, the Carolina Clay Artists return for the fifth year determined to make the event even bigger and better. In the past, Empty Bowls has been about a three-month project. This year, it will run for five months in an effort to give citizens more opportunities to participate. It has been one of Spartanburg’s most successful events in helping feed the poor. The fundraiser – Soup Day – will be held in the lobby of the David W. Reid Theatre and in the plaza of Chapman Cultural Center on Saturday, Nov. 9, 11am-7pm. In addition to soup, bread and tea, live music, and fellowship are provided for a community event that generates a groundswell of grassroots charity, as well as much needed funds. Patrons especially enjoy taking home the clay bowls, as sentimental reminders of how they have contributed to Spartanburg’s advancement. Traditionally, patrons donate $15 per bowl. The soup is all you can eat, and there will be a variety of restaurants providing soup throughout the day.

Empty Bowls is an international phenomenon that is virtually administrative and overhead free. All work is done by local volunteers, most of whom are potters. All of the money raised stays in the local community. Last year, more than $12,000 was given to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen. This year’s recipient of the funds will be TOTAL Ministries of Spartanburg. Public bowl-making events will be held at both the Spartanburg Art Museum School, located in Chapman Cultural Center, 200 East Saint John St. (10am-noon and 1-3pm) and the West Main Artist Co-op, 578 West Main Street (6-8:30pm).

The dates are: Spartanburg Art Museum/Chapman Cultural Center, Saturdays, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 14; West Main Artists Co-op, Thursdays, June 20, July 18, and Aug. 15—all of which are ArtWalk dates. Sponsors of the 2013 Empty Bowls fundraising event include: Carolina Clay Artists, Spartanburg Art Museum, Chapman Cultural Center, the West Main Artists Co-op and Chris Williams, owner of local pottery supply house, Clay-King.com.

For more information about Hub City Empty Bowls Soup, call 864/621-2768.

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.

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).

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).

The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg has Arts Scholarship Applications Available – Deadline Mar. 29, 2013

Applications for the Mary Wheeler Davis Scholarship are now being accepted by The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC. One or more $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to Spartanburg students pursuing college degrees in the visual or performing arts. The selection is based on the character, financial need, and artistic potential. The scholarships are awarded based on the recommendations of a panel of community leaders with interest and expertise in the visual and performing arts.

In addition to completing the application, the student must submit a resume; letters of recommendation; statements pertaining to career goals, scholarship use, and need; and support materials, such as writing samples, tapes, films videos, etc. The award is funded by the Mary Wheeler Davis Memorial Fund for the Promotion of the Arts, which was established in 1989 to honor the memory of Mary Wheeler Davis, a native of Charleston and the wife of Dr. William McAlhany Davis. She was a community leader and involved in many Spartanburg arts organizations.

Applications for the 2013-14 scholarship are available from The Arts Partnership, co/ Chapman Cultural Center, 200 East Saint John Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, by calling 864/278-9693, by e-mailing (aHughes@SpartanArts.org), or by downloading the forms at (www.ChapmanCulturalCenter.org) (search “scholarship”).

Completed applications must be returned to The Arts Partnership office by 5pm, Friday, Mar. 29, 2013.

Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, SC, Presents 5th Annual Art & Antique Show – Feb. 21-24, 2013

The Spartanburg Art Museum (SAM) will host its fifth annual Art & Antique Show, a four-day-long affair starting Thursday, Feb. 21, showcasing dealers from six states. The Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC, will be the site for this multifaceted event that will focus on antiques and accessories predominately from the 18th and 19th century American, English, and Continental regions. In addition, the show will present guest expert speakers on southern architecture and the floral arts. Vendors scattered throughout the facility will sell antique furniture, silver, jewelry, porcelain, paintings, fine art, oriental rugs, linens, and garden accessories.

“We are very excited for the fifth annual Art & Antique Show,” Anna Converse, the event’s co-chairperson, said. “This show has become a major attraction in the Upstate and is highly anticipated by antique lovers from throughout the region.  We purposely bring in dealers from out of town to give people the opportunity to buy items not normally found here. It is also a major fundraiser for Spartanburg Art Museum and hopefully this will bring about enough money to have some really great exhibits for next year!”

The show will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 21, with the Benefactor’s Gala. Catered by Cribb’s Kitchen, this black tie-optional affair will allow patrons the first glimpse of the art and antiques and the chance to pre-purchase items before the general public is admitted the next day. The Gala is held in the tented plaza of the Chapman Cultural Center and begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $150 per person.

The show will open to the public on Friday, Feb. 22, starting at 10am. Any one-day pass is $10; a weekend pass, which includes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, is $20. Tickets to hear guest speakers are $5each.

Friday, Feb. 22, at 1pm, guest speaker Susan Sully will present a lecture on southern architecture and interior design. She is the author and photographer of many books, most notably, “The Southern Cottage and The Southern Cosmopolitan”. A complimentary wine and cheese reception will follow her lecture, 4-6pm.

The show will continue on Saturday, Feb. 23, 10am-6pm. To help parents enjoy this opportunity, Spartanburg Science Center will present Fun for Kids, an educational camp for children 5 and older, noon-3pm. Pizza will be provided for lunch, and the children will have access to the Science Center and special programs, while their parents shop and taken in the guest speakers.

Also on Saturday, at 1pm, Ralph Null will present a lecture on floral arts and retail floriculture. Null known around the world for his decorations, some of which have been in the White House, retail windows of Saks and Macy’s, and the Smithsonian. Following his lecture, there will be a complimentary cheese and wine reception at 4pm.

Sunday, Feb. 24, will be the last day of the show and will feature a Low Country brunch, which starts at noon and ends at 1pm. The price is $25 per person. The show ends at 5pm.

On Friday and Saturday, lunch can be purchased under the tent in the plaza for $8. All weekend long, parking will be unlimited and free.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit (www.SpartanburgARTmuseum.org) or you may call 864/542-7616.

Grants are Now Available Through Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC – Deadline Feb. 28, 2013

The next deadline to apply for a Quarterly Community Grant from The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg is Monday, Feb. 28, 2013. The program provides quarterly project assistance grants that generally range from $500 to $1,000 and are granted to nonprofit organizations and professional artists in Spartanburg County. Eligible cultural projects are those that actively engage the performing, visual, literary, or folk arts.

The Arts Partnership’s Community Grant Program is supported 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.

Applications are reviewed by the Grants Committee, funding recommendations are made to the Board of Trustees of The Arts Partnership, and notifications of awards are usually made within four to six weeks of the application deadline.

For full information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Chapman Cultural Center website at (www.ChapmanCulturalCenter.org). All instructions and grant forms are available for download. Click on “The Arts Partnership” tab at the top, and then choose “Community Grants” from the menu at left to find specific details.

Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, SC, Features Works by Doug McAbee

Editor’s Note: I knew back in mid-December that many an exhibit would be falling victim of the Holiday scramble – meaning a lot of folks weren’t going to get all their work done before they left for a holiday break. I’m not going to give a second chance to all that come in as the first of the year speeds by, but this one is an exception. There may be other exceptions – who knows.

Spartanburg, SC, native and artist Doug McAbee is exhibiting his work in the exhibit, The One About Pop, on view at the Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery in the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg. It opened Saturday, Dec. 29, and will run through Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. This free exhibit is open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm and on Sunday, 1-5pm.

An assistant professor of art at Lander University in Greenwood, SC, McAbee, 40, is displaying a collection of 21 works, both two-dimensional drawings and steel sculptures, that were created in the wake of his father’s recent death. “He rode trees, hunted hawks and told amazing stories,” McAbee said about his father. “He also unknowingly helped his youngest son become a contemporary artist. There have been bits and pieces of him in my artwork for years but this body of work brings him into sharper focus–that’s if the vague nature of my work can be described as focused.”

McAbee’s father passed away in 2012 leaving McAbee with metalworking skills and years of great imagery. The imagery, stories and thoughts were stirred into the drawings and sculptures that make up this exhibit. “The exhibit is almost as colorful and fun as the man who inspired it,” McAbee said.

Most of the hangings are large drawings: Sharpie permanent markers on birch wood panels. Most of the tabletop sculptures are abstract shapes covered in shiny bright colors. All of the works incorporate recurring and opposing images, such as whales, fins, guns, tools, and saws, that morph and interact in surreal settings.

There will be a gallery reception from 5 to 9pm on Thursday, Jan. 17, which is the City’s ArtWalk. McAbee will give an artist talk at 7:30pm.

For more information, please call 864/764-9568 or visit (www.artistsguildofspartanburg.com).

Carolina Gallery in Spartanburg, SC, Features Linda Cancel’s Christmas Series

Carolina Gallery in Spartanburg, SC, is presenting all six paintings for Linda Hyatt Cancel’s Christmas Series – available as prints on canvas, lithograph prints, framed cards and card bundles.

Over ten years ago, fine art painter Linda Hyatt Cancel sent one of her works to a printing company in North Carolina to be reproduced as a lithograph. Cliff Snider, a printer with that firm, admired her expertise and commissioned her to do a portrait of him as Santa. Snider was no ordinary bell ringer. At the age of 16 and newly grieving for his father who was killed in an automobile accident, his church youth group pressed Snider to don the fake wig, beard and red costume appropriate for handing out gifts at their Christmas party for children at a nearby mission. “Little did they know that God was giving me a mission for my life,” Snider admits. Since then, he pursued every possible way to become Santa, including his “Master of Santa Claus, MSC” from the International University of Santa Claus. He is naturally bearded and designs his own wardrobe, but the purpose for his total immersion is that, “As Santa Claus, it is my desire to represent God’s love at Christmas, by sharing the True Reason for the Season, the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Cancel shares Snider’s desire to represent the spiritual aspect of Christmas with six original oil paintings of Santa in her series. The newest one, released in 2010, is titled “The Hour,” and has inspired chills in a lot of people. For this portrayal, Snider posed in a Bishop’s chair in the Church of the Epiphany in Laurens, South Carolina, wearing a warm cloak custom made from his grandmother’s quilt. The light streaming through the window illuminates a pensive Santa, reflecting on the watch he holds in his hand. A carving of the Last Supper, with Christ centered right above him, is seen behind.

Cancel has released a limited number of lithographic prints and giclees on canvas of each piece in her Christmas Series, available at Carolina Gallery. In Addition, she creates a wide range of oil paintings, from realistic to impressionistic, with rich, multi-layered tones. An Award winning artist, Cancel has work in many private and public collections across the country.

Carolina Gallery is located at 145 West Main Street in Spartanburg.

For further information call 864/585-3335 or visit (www.carolinagalleryart.com).