Calling for Participation in the Outsider Arts 2013 Holiday Market at The Handlebar in Greenville, SC – Deadline Sept. 30, 2013

Event organizers are calling for participation in the Outsider Arts 2013 Holiday Market at The Handlebar, located at 304 E. Stone Avenue in Greenville, SC. The event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, from 10am – 6pm.

We’re excited to announce Outsider Arts 3rd Annual Holiday Market and Fundraiser. Planning has begun and we’re collaborating with The Handlebar to bring another Holiday Market / Fundraiser & Chili Cook-Off to the upstate this November.

You’ll find details in the prospectus. Application deadline is Sept. 30, 2013. Find the prospectus and application on the website at (www.outsiderartsc.com).

If anyone is interested in helping the day of the event, please contact Stephanie Gutzman at 864/569-4821 about volunteering.

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Receives Grant from Lowcountry Community Foundation for New Center for Creative Arts

The Lowcountry Community Foundation awarded the Society of Bluffton Artists a grant of $12,000 to be put towards the purchase of easels, tables, chairs and materials for their new Center for Creative Arts. The building is being built next to the existing SOBA Gallery on Church Street in old town Bluffton, SC. The space will be used to provide art classes for local school students during the school year. This is an after-school, no-cost program extended to 4th and 5th graders in our school district. The space will also be used for The Society’s outreach programs which schedules speakers and workshops specializing in a wide range of art forms. These are designed to assist artists and students to enhance their abilities and promote interest in visual arts in the community.

Ground has been broken for the new Center for Creative Arts building next to the SOBA Gallery in downtown Bluffton.

Vice President Steve Moscowitz, standing in for President Sandra Wenig (who valiantly applied for the grant on SOBA’s behalf), was present at the awards luncheon to accept the check and gave a concise description of our goals and plans.

For further info call 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts in Winston-Salem, NC, to Host Free Community Day – Aug. 10, 2013

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA) Winston-Salem, NC, is holding a Community Day celebration on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, combining art-making projects, cartoons and snacks with an international flair. The event will be held from noon to 4pm, and is part of the statewide North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources’ 2nd Saturday summer series.

SECCA is located at 750 Marguerite Drive. The event is free and open to the public. SECCA is an affiliate of the NC Museum of Art, within the NC Department of Cultural Resources and a funded partner of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Additional funding is provided by the James G. Hanes Memorial Fund.

Activities for Community Day @ SECCA will take place in the Auditorium Lobby – enter through the door of the bright white building.

There will be three stations of art making.  Abstract Magazine Collage, based on the “Regenerations 2: Tomorrow’s Photographers Today” exhibition with more than 80 works by emerging photographers from around the world, gives participants a chance to experiment with positive and negative collage cut outs.

In the activity Wet Media Painting, children and families will create works of art using dripping, paint blowing and paint splattering techniques with gouache and acrylic on Mylar. This activity responds to the work of Hediah Ilichi, an Iranian-American arts whose works are currently on display in the exhibition, “a leaf from my rose garden”.

In anticipation of the Bookmarks Festival in September, there will also be a bookmark-making station.

In addition, SECCA will be showing animated films in the auditorium.

This Community Day will feature snacks from all over the world. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy SECCA’s beautiful grounds.

For further info visit (www.secca.org).

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents A Lecture by Robert Epps and William Baldwin at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, in Charleston, SC – Aug. 10, 2013

The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents a lecture by Robert Epps and William Baldwin at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, in Charleston, SC, on Aug.10, 2013, beginning at 3pm.

The exhibition, “Past Presence”, on view through Aug. 18, 2013, combines the vibrant large scale photography of Robert Epps with the city-themed poetry of William Baldwin to create an exhibition of the iconic environs of Charleston. Discovering the contemporary in the old, the sublime in the ordinary, the poetic in the everyday: working at times in tandem, the artists have spent the last four years exploring the ways in which Southern culture, for better or worse, manages to endure and endure. An ever decaying beauty and a quiet/noisy reslience found here in both images and words.

Epps is a photographer who strives to capture the decaying beauty of old buildings in the Lowcountry. His work evokes a sense of time and history, providing the viewer with ephereal views into times long past.

Lowcountry native William P. Baldwin is an award-winning novelist, poet, biographer, and historian. His works have garnered many accolades, including the Lillian Smith Award for his novel “The Hard to Catch” and the Benjamin Franklin Award for poetry for his book “The Unpainted South”, a collaboration with photographer Bud Hill.

“These Our Offerings: A place & Time of Southern Magic” is a collection of photographs by Epps and poems by Baldwin rooted in the history of the South and the things its inhabitants cherish most about their lives.

For more information call 843/958-6484 or visit (www.CityGalleryatWaterfrontPark.com).

Charleston Center for Photography in Charleston, SC, Offers 2nd Monday Lecture Series with Tom Spain – Aug. 12, 2013

Tom Spain is the Visuals Editor for “The Post and Courier”. He knows his stuff. He knows his job. He will detail changes in press photography world at the Charleston Center for Photography, in Charleston, SC, during its 2nd Monday Lecture Series, Aug. 12, 2013, at 7pm, when he talks about, “Press Photography, Where Art Thou? The good, the bad, and the ugly”.

From the major growth of digital photography technology since the late 1990s to the present, it’s not the equipment; it’s the uncertain climate for the press photographers, today. They are mobile. They are professional. They are few.

Spain is well aware that in May this year the “Chicago Sun-Times” fired more than 28 photographers, included was Pulitzer Prize winner John H. White. Such a major move by a major newspaper produced major concern among national press photographers and media professionals. A recent article printed by (zdnet.com) suggested reporters and freelancers with video-capable smartphones would replace the photographers. For Spain and colleagues, the photography climate is in flux, one that affects aspiring amateurs, as well.

The “Charleston Post and Courier” has seen a number of its well-known photographers go elsewhere – some have pursued careers away from photography.

A native of Charleston, Spain began his career in photojournalism in 1972 as a staff photographer for the “Evening Post” and “News and Courier”. He took over management of the Photography Department in 1993 when newspapers were making the transition from film to digital images. The two newspapers became one during his tenure, and the changes kept coming.

All photographers will benefit from Spain’s good, bad, and ugly talk. He follows associate Paul Zoeller, who spoke of career downs and ups last month. Zoeller gave good account of his path to success. Spain promises to add to that experience with the viewpoint of a photography professional who has seen it all.

The Charleston Center for Photography is located at 654 King Street in downtown Charleston.

For further information call Program Director Douglas Carr Cunningham at 843/720-3105 or visit (www.ccforp.org).

Open Studio Tour of Henderson County, NC, Takes Place Sept. 20-22, 2013

The Open Studio Tour of Henderson County, NC, will be held on the weekend of Sept. 21-22, from 10am to 5pm daily. This free self-guided tour features fine art and craft studios throughout Henderson County. Artist’s studios will be open with their latest artwork to view and purchase; many studios and galleries will feature guest artists.   Original works in painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, metal arts, woodworking and glass will be offered by over 50 participating artists in all towns of Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Hendersonville, Horse Shoe, Mills River, and Laurel Park. The Art League of Henderson County is the major Tour sponsor.

The anticipated Preview Party will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, from 5-8pm at Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust Street in Hendersonville, NC. Tour artists will be present and will exhibit an example of artwork to be found on the tour. The evening will also include an art raffle benefitting Backpacks for Kids and live music starting at 8pm.

Open Studio Tour guide booklets will be available early August at Henderson County Travel and Tourism and many locations throughout Henderson County. Further information and printable maps are available online at (http://www.openstudiotourhc.com) and on Facebook at (https://www.facebook.com/#!/OpenStudioTourofHendersonCounty).

For more info call David Voorhees at 828/698-8775 or e-mail to (openstudiotourofhc@gmail.com).

Red Piano Too Art Gallery on St. Helena Island, SC, Honors Charles Desaussure Passing with Summer Show

A great tree recently fell in the world of Lowcountry art.  Artist, Charles Desaussure, died in the Charleston (SC) Veterans Hospital on July 16, 2013. Desaussure had been an artist at the Red Piano Too Art Gallery for twenty years.

This year the gallery is dedicating the twentieth annual “August Summer Show” on August 3, 2013 to the memory of Charles Desaussure. Desaussure attended every year.  He always took up residence on the front porch of the gallery setting up his paints, easels, and supplies. He loved people, especially young people, he encouraged them to paint as they gathered around to watch him work. Desaussure often supplied them materials so they could draw too. He encouraged them by saying, “Go where the spirit leads you.”

Becky Kiester, gallery staff, recalls how Desaussure loved Charmaine Inabinett’s Pistachio Cake, which she sells on the porch during shows. It is a gallery memory that Inabinett had to make Desaussure his own cake. That way he could have some whenever he wanted and didn’t have to constantly send a child to get him another piece of cake.  While reflecting on Desaussure and his life we remembered his vintage navy blue Mercedes. He loved that car!   As he would chill at the gallery he would often take time to give the car a wipe so it looked just as good going to Charleston as it did coming to St. Helena.

Desaussure, an Air Force veteran, had an easy and open manner. People immediately liked him and wanted to get to know him better. He enjoyed “just chillin’ and meetin’ the folk” as he relaxed on the swing at the gallery. Born in Yemassee, SC, his family moved to President Street in Charleston, where he grew up. Early on Desaussure was interested in art, the world around him was rich in Gullah culture. The urban influence was emerging in his work with paintings of Juke Joints, musicians, street vendors, sweetgrass gathering, and sweetgrass basket sewers chatting happily in the Charleston market. Almost every painting Desaussure created in the beginning had the old Cooper River Bridge in the background. Once he told us that he played under the bridge as a boy, marbles, basketball, bike riding, skateboarding, and chasing the little girls with fiddler crabs. In addition to work on canvas and paper, Desaussure was a skilled sign painter and muralist.  His signs and murals are on many buildings throughout the Lowcountry and Washington, DC. He painted the signs on the Red Piano Too building. “Ravenel Seafood” on US 17 in Ravenel, SC, boasts a mural by Desaussure. He was working on a sign for a business on King Street in Charleston when he became ill, went to the hospital and died.

Desaussure was very proud of the logo he designed for the US Naval Clinic in Charleston. He received special recognition at the dedication. More recently he was chosen to create the art for the 2013 Charleston Moja Festival held in Charleston.

Desaussure’s art is in collections all over the world. South Carolina artist, Jonathan Green owns work by him. Rolling Stone guitarist, Kieth Richards owns, “WEST 59th STREET”, a painting of a musician which captures the essence of the urban jazz scene.

This man, Charles Desaussure,  was very dear to us as a friend and as a great talent in the world of the self-taught Southern artist. He will be missed greatly. He will be missed by his family, his friends, his collectors. His extended family at the Red Piano Too will never forget him.

The Red Piano Too “August Summer Show” will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 from 10am to 5pm. The tribute is free and open to the public. The gallery has created a display of works by Charles.  Please join us as we celebrate our friend and fellow artist.

For further info call the gallery at 843/838-2241 or visit (www.Redpianotoo.com).

Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, SC, Announces Upcoming Events

Artist in Residence: Catawba potter Caroleen Sanders will have works on view in the Center’s Main Gallery at Native American Studies Center August through November 2013.

Monthly Lunch and Learn  Lectures are offered on the Third Friday of the Month, from noon to 1pm, in the Native American Studies Center Classroom. Contact Brent Burgin by e-mail at (WBBurgin@mailbox.sc.edu).

An Arts and Craft Sale will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, from 9am until 4pm, at the NAS Center Native American Studies Center. Contact Brittany Taylor by e-mail at (Taylorbd@mailbox.sc.edu).

Native American Studies Week 2014 will be held from March 22 – 28, 2014, at the NAS Center Native American Studies Center. Contact Stephen Criswell by e-mail at (Criswese@mailbox.sc.edu).

Public Volunteer Archaeology Labs are held the First and Third Thursdays every month from 3-7pm in the Archaeology lab at the Native American Studies Center. Contact by e-mail is (judge@sc.edu) or visit (38da75.com).

For further info visit (http://usclancaster.sc.edu/NAS/index.html).

Carolina Foothills Artisan Center in Chesnee, SC, Call for Applications – Deadline Sept. 6, 2013

The Carolina Foothills Artisan Center in Chesnee, SC, is looking for new artists to sell and display their work. The deadline is Sept. 6, 2013, to be considered in the biannual jury, but applications are accepted year-round.

Find the application online or on-site. Call 864/461-3050 or visit (www.cfac.us) for more information.

The ARTS Center in Clemson, SC, celebrates the Unveiling of an Outdoor Quilt Block, Part of the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail – Aug. 13, 2013

The ARTS Center of Clemson, in Clemson, SC, is hosting the unveiling celebration of an outdoor quilt block that is part of the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. Please come and join us in the unveiling celebration that will be on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, from 6:30-9pm. The outdoor quilt square, inspired by a textile quilt square done by Anna Willis, shows an African village. It is a complex work, with people, animals, and huts. The outdoor quilt square is painted on an 8 foot x 8 foot wooden panel. It was painted, in detail, by members of the Clemson Artist Guild and the men and women who are full time volunteers with the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail organization. The outdoor quilt square will be a permanent fixture on The ARTS Center building.

Our unveiling celebration is open to all members of our community. Anna Willis will be at The ARTS Center for the unveiling, with many of her quilts on display, to meet and talk with everyone. The original textile quilt will also be on display. Martha File, Chair of the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail will provide an overview of the American Barn Trail Movement and the Upstate of South Carolina’s participation.

The ARTS Center in Clemson provides exceptional arts education and makes fine art exciting and accessible to our community.

For more information about the unveiling celebration, please contact The ARTS Center in Clemson by calling 864/633-5051 or e-mail at (tommye.hurst@explorearts.org).