Hospice of the Foothills in Seneca, SC, Joins Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail

Hospice of the Foothills has received an addition to the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. The quilt block donated by the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail and acquired by Jan McKinney of Salem at the Hospice Foundation’s annual Christmas Tree Gala auction. She then donated it to the Hospice property located at 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC.

The pattern is called Prairie Star and was made by Barbara Schoonover of Salem. She told us she was taught to quilt by her maternal grandmother, Dessie Decker, when she was 8 or 9 years old in Ohio, where she grew up.

“We would sit around a large floor quilt frame and Grandma always wanted me to sit beside her so she could make sure I didn’t get any blood on the quilts if I stuck my finger on the needle. My mother, Beatrice Howell, was also a quilter and I have several pieces of her work. I am always amazed at how small and even her stitches were. Today, my quilting mentor is my younger sister, Bobbie Moore, who makes beautiful quilts.”

According to the National Park Service’s Quilt Discovery Experience booklet, stars are probably the most common motif used on quilts. Homesteaders traveling west used the stars for guidance and they looked upon stars as religious symbols of their faith in God. There are hundreds of star patterns. Some quilts have just one large radiating star, often called the Star of Bethlehem or Blazing Star, while other quilts display dozens of smaller stars. The simplest and most popular star pattern is an eight pointed star.

A star pattern is not the easiest to cut and sew. Precision is extremely important as any inaccuracy in cutting or piecing is multiplied as pieces are added. If poorly pieced, the quilt will not lie flat when finished. An intricate star pattern was one way for a quilter to show her needlework skills.

Many times, the quilter deliberately sewed a mistake somewhere in the quilt, perhaps to reflect the maker’s faith in God, for only God can make a perfect thing.

For more information and pictures, click on (www.uhqt.org).

Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, Focuses On Community Projects

On May 25, 2015, Senecafest took place on Ram Cat Alley in downtown Seneca, SC. Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) hosted all craft vendor booths and operated a special activity tent for children of all ages. Kids were invited to paint an Alley Cat canvas mural that now hangs in city hall. Next year, we plan on expanding to accommodate even more artists. Beaded Bracelet, Color Me Insulated Cups and Grab Bags were also made available to our guests.

Blue Ridge Arts Center is kicking off its new season with a culmination exhibit of work from our summer arts program. An open house reception featuring “True Colors” by Tribble will take place in on the afternoon of Aug. 14, 2015. Friends and family are invited to view projects created by adult clients and residents of the Tribble Center for adults with varying disabilities located in Seneca, SC. Images are available on our website at (www.blueridgeartscenter.com). This body of work will also hang during our second scheduled exhibit “Monochromatic Illusions” by HiFiber opening Nov. 6, 2015, so everyone will have an opportunity to see this marvelous work.

Our first exhibit – “The BRAC Annual Members Show” opens on Sept. 11, 2015, and intake will begin on Aug. 28, 2015. Reduced rates on membership are available to non-members who would like to participate. Member benefits include – annual members show, free on-line bios and photos, one-man and group show opportunities, reduced rates on workshops, classes and photography service, open studios and casual painting groups. Downloadable applications are available on line.

In conjunction with this show, our second installment of “Afternoon with an Artist” luncheon and demonstration at the Blue Ridge Gallery Classroom will headline Paul Dohr, renown award winning watercolor artist. It will take place on Sept. 16, 2015, from 12:30-3pm. He will provide hands-on instruction and as always, humorous dialog to accompany his presentation. Lunch includes – pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans and apple pie and ice cream [for $25.00]. The previous “Afternoon of an Artist” with Warren Carpenter [wood-turner] was a sell out – and an overwhelming success. We have room for 25 guests so make reservations now. Call Suzette Cross at 248/882-3288.

In addition to these events, we have a full schedule planned including:

Holiday Art Sale with Chocolate and Wine Tasting  [12/4,5 & 11- 12/11/2015];

The Annual Juried Exhibit [1/16/2016] which will take on a new format this year with more information to come;

“Upcycling/Mixed Media Exhibit” and Auctions for Charity in celebration with Earth Day, [3/11-4/23] Chairs for Charity Invitational Auction Saturday 4/23/2016. Call for entries will be sent to all charitable organizations. The results will be displayed during the exhibit and available for auction proceeds to benefit the charity.

As always, new members and volunteers are welcome. Contact information, photos of all past events and applications are available on line.

Melody Davis, Gallery Administrator, Board of Directors visit (www.blueridgeartscenter.com).

Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, Offers Several Opportunities for Artists

We have elected 4 new Board members who have all hit the ground running on behalf of the organization. Each have their own special talents to contribute to the effort.

Planning is now underway for the African American History Month exhibit in February. A National Exhibit, courtesy of the Lunney House Museum, Strickland Museum Project and the City of Seneca, will be held in the main gallery. An African American Focus Art Exhibit will hang in our adjacent gallery rooms. There is no fee to enter art but space is limited so call now. The opening reception has not been finalized-check our website or call for updates. African inspired art and artifacts plus a gospel choir will be on hand for the opening celebration. Please contact us if you are interested in showing work in this event.

The Annual Juried Show is now in its planning stages. There is over $1500.00 in our growing award fund. Check the website for current information. An additional opportunity to show your work is available at our Salon De Refuse which will be held at the Historic Ballenger House in downtown Seneca.

We have received several donations of cash for our award reserve fund dedicated to the Juried show. If you or your group is interested in sponsoring an award please let us know. You will receive advertisement in our publications and recognition at the reception which is always quite large. It is never too early to plan for this signature event.

The Seneca ‘Ten At The Top’ Outdoor Project is in its third stage with train themed bench plaques being painted by 12 Oconee County Schools. The benches are under construction by Hamilton Career Center students and will be placed in the historic Ram Cat Alley and Main Street Area when completed. Two Murals are underway and slated to be hung in Buchanan Park and Firehouse locations. 12 steel  “alley cats” painted by local artists are prowling the city to encourage a sCATtenger hunt. These cats will be moved every two months to different locations. Brochure Maps are available at Seneca City Hall, BRAC, and on our website. A dedication ceremony for the Electric Bus Station will take place within the next two months hosting Washington, DC, senators and Congressmen, County and City Council members and the outdoor art will be there as the backdrop. We will publish the exact date as soon as plans are finalized.

For further info call Melody Davis Gallery Administrator at 727/457-5274 or visit (http://www.blueridgeartscenter.com/).

Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, Calls for Participation in the “Picture Person Program”

The Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) in Seneca, SC, is looking for individuals to participate in the “Picture Person Program” in the Oconee County Elementary Schools this year. This is an Art Appreciation Program that BRAC has been doing for the past 25+ years. We train our volunteer “Presenters” and supply all materials.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call Cynthia Jones at 864/944-2599. This is a great opportunity for retired teachers!

Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail in SC Gains Unusual Addition

The Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail has gained an unusual addition. Rather than a typical quilt block, this addition is a rendition of a cross stitch quilt called “Native Birds,” and was mounted on the home of its owner, Jacqueline Downes of Chartwell Point Road in Seneca, SC.

Made in the late 1950’s, the original quilt was made by June Fisher, Sadie German, Mable Peters and Florence Muth, Mrs. Downs’ mother, grandmother and great aunts, all of Allentown, PA, in Lehigh County.  Nine birds are depicted, with some repeats, however, it is the cardinal that is featured on the mounted quilt block.

“My mother would spend months stitching the pattern as she sat in her wheelchair – it was busy work. The ladies would arrive, set up a frame in the living room, and I would find them working every day when I came home from school.  Over time, the frame would be folded smaller and smaller, until the quilt was finished. Then mother would start on another.”

Cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and can be found all over the world. X-shaped stitches in a tiled pattern are used to form a picture. It is often executed on easily countable evenweave fabric called aida cloth. The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This is also called counted cross stitch to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Besides the aida cloth, other fabrics used in cross-stitch include linen and mixed content fabrics called ‘even weave.’ This name refers to the fact that the fabric is woven to make sure there are the same number of threads in an inch left to right and top to bottom. Fabrics are categorized by threads per inch, or ‘count,’ and can range from 11 to 40 counts.

For more information and pictures visit (www.uhqt.org).

Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, Calls for Entries for 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit – Deadline May 4, 2013

The Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, is calling for entries for its 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit, “Framed”, which will be on display May 17 – June 21, 2013.

We invite all local artists to participate in our annual Juried Art Show. Awards will be given out to the winners chosen by our juror, who has yet to be chosen.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Delivery of Entries to BRAC: Friday, May 3, 1-5pm and Saturday, May 4, 10am-2pm

Jury Day: Monday, May 7

Accept/rejection notification: Tuesday, May 8 by 5pm

Opening reception: Friday, May 17, 5:30-8:00pm
Juried Awards: Friday, May 17, 6:30pm

Duration of show: May 17 – June 21, 2013

Download details at this link (http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1111568351468-5/Call_EntryFramed.pdf).

For further info call 864/882-2722 or visit (www.blueridgeartscenter.com).

Blue Ride Arts Council in Seneca, SC, Receives Grant From SC Arts Commission

The Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, has been granted $2,782.00 by the South Carolina Arts Commission for 2012-2013. The support will provide operational funds so that BRAC can continue serving Oconee County as the only non-profit Gallery and Art Center in the area. The center relies on volunteers and donors to present wonderful gallery exhibits of the Upstate’s art community. The next Gallery event is a Juried Photography Show, “Art through a Lens”, opening on January 18, 2013. We are still in need of sponsors for this show. Interested individuals or corporations are urged to consider donating to this event by calling the office at 864/882-2722 Tuesday through Friday afternoons.

Several area companies, organizations and individuals are helping The Blue Ridge Arts Council meet its obligation of matching the Arts Commission grant with local dollars.

Those who are supporting the grant project are:
2012 BUSINESS SPONSOR LIST

BENEFACTORS ($2000+)

City of Seneca

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Oconee Accommodations & Hospitality Commission

Oconee County Arts & Historical Commission

Oconee Tourism Commission

School District of Oconee County

South Carolina Arts Commission- Operating Grant (which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts).

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

Seneca Hospitality & Accommodations Commission

The Daily Journal-Daily Messenger

PATRONS ($1,000 – 1,999)

The UPS Store

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative

South Carolina Arts Commission-Web Grant (which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.)

SPONSORS ($500 – 999)

Applebee’s

Duke Energy

Palmetto Spirit’s

Tiki Hut

DONORS ($250 – 499)

Flowers by the Lake

FRIENDS ($50 to 249)

Deb’s Painting Crew

D”Lishness Gourmet Cupcake

Stuffits

Thread Heads

BRAC also offers an extensive list of classes for adults and children. The upcoming Winter Term offers new and returning classes and variety of teachers. Please go to the web site for a complete list of classes at (www.blueridgeartscenter.com) where you can register on line if you wish. There are also gift certificates for classes available for Holiday presents.

The South Carolina Arts Commission provides grants, technical services and leadership to arts organizations, schools and individual artists to preserve and promote the arts across the spectrum of South Carolina’s cultures and forms of expression. The agency strives to make the arts accessible to all South Carolinians, enhancing quality of life and contributing significantly to the state’s economic well-being. Headquartered in Columbia, SC, the Arts Commission draws on the resources of state dollars appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly and the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, visit (www.SouthCarolinaArts.com) or call 803/734-8696.

Blue Ridge Art Council in Seneca, SC, is Calling for Entries for the Heritage Music and Arts Festival (HAM) Exhibit – Deadline is Oct. 8, 2012

The Blue Ridge Art Council in Seneca, SC, is calling for entries for the Heritage Music and Arts Festival (HAM) Exhibit which will be held at Duke’s World of Energy, located at 7812 Rochester Highway in Seneca, SC. The HAM art show will be on view from Oct. 10 – Nov. 1, 2012. All local artists, working in 2d and 3d are invited to participate in this annual exhibit. A reception will be held on Oct. 13, from 10am-4pm.

The World of Energy is pleased to host the 6th Annual Heritage Arts and Music Festival on October 13, 2012 from 10am to 4pm. A Children’s Make and Take Art Project will take place Oct. 13, from 11am – 2pm.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to all local artists.  Each entrant may submit one or two original works created within the last two years and not previously exhibited in our gallery.  Information can be found on our web site at (www.BlueRidgeArtsCenter.com).

Entry into this competition constitutes agreement with these terms-

ENTRY FEE

There is no fee for artists submitting up to (4) entries. Commission contract must be signed upon delivery of work to the  World of Energy @ Duke Power. 100% of net proceeds will go towards BRAC operating funds.

MEDIA

Two-dimensional works of any medium: watercolor, oil, pastel, gouache, collage, photography, acrylics, and mixed media.

Framed pieces may be no more than 44” in width and 48” in height. Three-dimensional works may not exceed 50 pounds and may include clay, wood, metal, glass and fiber. Artwork must require no assembly and sit solidly on a flat surface or be mounted for hanging. (Exceptions may be made based on availability of space.)

Non-gallery wrap work must be framed and ALL WORK wired for hanging. No clip mounts or saw tooth hangers will be accepted.

SALES

A 35% sales commission is charged by BRAC. Work must remain for the duration of the exhibit.

PROMOTIONAL RELEASE

Exhibitor grants BRAC and its respective successors the irrevocable right to take photographs of the Exhibitor’s art work to be used strictly for advertising exhibits and BRAC.  Photos of work will not be sold.  Exhibitor can note their agreement to this on the Entry Form.

LIABILITY

BRAC will handle work with utmost care but will not be responsible for loss or damage to the work. The Blue Ridge Art Center reserves the right to refuse any entry at its discretion.

Pickup of artwork will be on Fri., Nov. 2nd, from 1 to 5pm *artwork left at Duke after Nov. 2, 2012, will be transported to Blue Ridge and after a period 30 days becomes property of Blue Ridge Arts Center

For a copy of the entry form e-mail (Office@blueridgeartscenter.com).

Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, Calls for Entries for “The Foothills’ Finest” – Deadline for Delivery of Entries – Sept. 8, 2012

The Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, is proud to showcase the impressive talent of its member artists in our annual members’ exhibit – “The Foothills’ Finest”. Members are invited to submit 2-D and 3-D works of arts such as paintings, drawings, collage, photography, print-making, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and fine craft.

Ribbons will be given out to the winners of the “Viewer’s Choice Awards”. The winners will be announced during the opening reception to be held on Friday, September 21, 5:30-8pm in conjunction with the Seneca Downtown Go ‘Round. The exhibit continues through Nov. 8, 2012.

Non-members may participate by including membership form with Call for Entry form and the associated fees.

Membership forms are available on our web site (www.BlueRidgeArtsCenter.com). For full details call 864/882-2722.

 

 

 

Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, is Looking for Volunteers

For those of you with a great personality and a winning smile, the Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, wants you! If you could give 4 hours a month of your time to serve as a docent, our staff and visitors would be thrilled!  IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST, you may display three pieces of your art in the lobby (priced to sell) on the day that you work.

The main duties include greeting visitors with that great smile (and kind words) having guests sign the visitor log, and showing guests our exhibits. Plus you can have cookies and coffee if you wish. There are other simple tasks you can choose from – such as dusting, sweeping, stuffing envelopes, and filing library cards – nothing too hard.

Please call the office at 864/882-2722 or e-mail, Deb King, at (bobanddeb4671@att.net) to tell me when you can help.  Thanks!

The Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC, is located at 111 E. South Second Street in Seneca, SC.

For further info visit (www.blueridgeartscenter.com).