For years one of my delivery routes took me from Bonneau, SC, to Manning, SC, to Sumter, SC, to Camden, SC, to Rock Hill, SC, then across the SC border to Charlotte, NC, and beyond until I make a big circle ending back in Bonneau – after one long evening, early morning and afternoon drive. It’s good for a whole book on CD of 10 – 12 CDs and I can still listen to the BBC newscast and Morning Edition on NPR. A long time ago I used to even drive to Lancaster, SC, and Fort Mill, SC, on that route, swinging back to Rock Hill before I went to Charlotte. I mean I used to go to a lot of small towns to deliver to one or two gallery spaces. Until it just didn’t seem to matter.
It’s been one of my most destructive and frustrating delivery routes. I’ve had deer run into two different cars – in the same month – five miles apart in a span of three years. I hate driving through that corridor – I’ve had to hit the brakes for just about every animal you can think of – even some flying. And, after almost 15 years – I’m not going to anymore. Starting with our Jan. issue of Carolina Arts, I decided to skip those two lane country roads and drive from I-26 to Columbia, and I-77 to Rock Hill and Charlotte.
One of the hard things about doing Carolina Arts is remembering that we are not a non-profit which receives public funding to serve the general public and that I am not a visual arts missionary. There just wasn’t anything to be gained by traveling this route.
One of the areas of frustration was the lack of steady information from the gallery spaces on this route – non-profit and commercial, much less advertising support. Oh we got some occasionally, but what we got never covered the years of expenses for gas, wear and tear on autos and time spend dodging those animals – not to mention occasional space in the paper – a commodity in demand.
So, here’s one of the last press releases I’ll probably receive from the Sumter County Gallery of Art in Sumter, SC, after they read this entry – which was dated Jan. 4, 2010, for an exhibit starting Jan. 7, 2010. The deadline for this to possibly be included in Carolina Arts would have been Dec. 12, 2009 – or even Dec. 25, 2009, for inclusion on our website. The exhibits end on Feb. 4, 2010. We’d still include press releases they send by deadline on our website, but they’ll probably be mad and not bother – as if I’ve done this to them.
Frankly I wouldn’t have included this at all except for the support we receive from the SC Watermedia Society.
Here it is as I received it:
04 January 2010
“South Carolina Watermedia Society Traveling Exhibition” and “Sumter Artists Guild Winners Show”
When: Thursday, January 7 (opening reception from 5:30-7:30 pm) through February 4, 2010
Where: Sumter County Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150 (adjacent to Patriot Hall on Haynesworth St.)
Cost: Admission is always FREE at the Sumter Gallery of Art with the exception of the opening reception, which is $5 for non-members of the Gallery
Highlights: The Sumter County Gallery of Art opens the New Year with two popular exhibitions: The 32th annual “South Carolina Watermedia Society Traveling Exhibition”, and the “Sumter Artists’ Guild Winners Show”.
by Claire Farrell
The South Carolina Watermedia Society (SCWS) is the largest statewide visual arts guild with a mission to promote South Carolina artists by providing exhibition opportunities and educational programs. The 2009 SCWS show is an especially vibrant one. The juror for the 2009 SCWS show was Pat Dews, a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, and the National Watercolor Society, and winner of many national awards. Winner of the Best in Show award was “Belly Dancer” by Claire Farrell of Columbia, SC, who will be in attendance at the Sumter opening Thursday night. Sumter’s own Rose Metz, a perennial winner, won the Trenholm Artist Guild Award for her acrylic abstract “As the Crow Flies”. Karen Watson, Director of the Sumter County Gallery of Art says that this show: Has something for everybody’s taste. The selections are just alive with color and include a rich variety of imagery; abstracts and representational work of varied subject matter including landscapes, figural, and still life. The South Carolina Watermedia Society Show, more than any other, showcases the vast talent of South Carolina artists.
by Kate Lagaly
Watson says that this year’s “Sumter Artists Guild Winners Show” is also an exciting one because it includes several long time Guild members who have never been represented in the Winners show: Susan Allen, whose watercolor, “Sunflower in Sunshine” won second place, Joseph Valcourt, whose photograph, “Drifting on Altair” won Honorable Mention, and Jamie Caplinger, whose oil, “Laela” won Honorable Mention. Long time Sumter artist (and “new” guild member), Dennis Snell, who recently rejoined the Sumter Artists’ Guild, won first place with his acrylic “Saw Palmettos”. Rounding out this impressive group are Marjorie Hooks, second place winner for her sculpture “A Curious Notion” and Rose Metz, Honorable Mention for her piece “Contemplation”.
by Marjorie Hooks
Thanks to the following sponsors who made this exhibition possible: The Sumter Artists’ Guild, a historically important and strong partner of the Gallery whose members are catering the opening reception, NBSC, Sumter Pathology Associates, and Susan & Jim Allen in memory of Karen Starke.
RELATED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Opening Preview Reception, Thursday, January 7, 2010, 5:30-7:30 pm
Claire Farrell, the SCWS 2009 Winner of Best of Show will be in attendance. Many of the winners of the Sumter Artists Guild show will be in attendance to discuss their work.
GENERAL GALLERY INFORMATION
Location: 200 Hasel St., Sumter, SC 29150 (adjacent to Patriot Hall).
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:30 – 5:00 pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays
CONTACTS AND INFORMATION:
Karen Watson, Executive Director, Sumter County Gallery of Art, 803.775.0543, or director@sumtergallery.com
Sumter Gallery of Art website: www.sumtergallery.org
For more information about SCWS, go to www.fineartsemporium.com.
See attached images
Dear All,
The holidays are so disruptive. My apologies for this being so late. Just a mention on your various calendars would be great!
Karen
Karen Watson
Executive Director
Sumter County Gallery of Art
200 Hasel St., P.O. Box 1316
Sumter, SC 29150
w) 803-775-0543
m) 803-840-8720
fax) 803-778-2787
http://www.sumtergallery.org
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