Now in its 29th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place throughout North Charleston, SC, from April 29 through May 7, 2011. The nine day event is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, providing thousands of residents and visitors with a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions, and activities featuring national, regional, and local artists and performers.

Organized by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the festival strives to maintain the spirit of a community celebration with the mission of presenting a broad, multidiscipline event schedule that provides a wide range of performing, visual, media, and literary arts events for people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of the offerings are free, and those that are ticketed are moderately priced. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event, the North Charleston Arts Festival truly offers something for everyone. For detailed event schedules and venue information, visit (www.northcharleston.org).

Info about visual art offerings:

Judged Fine Art & Photography Exhibitions (Apr. 30 – May 7, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. View entries in Fine Art and Professional & Amateur Photography. Fine Art Juror: Michael W. Haga, Art History Adjunct Faculty and Associate Dean at the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts. Photography entries judged using the Photographic Society of America Print Guidelines. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; & May 7, 9am-noon.

Work by Kim Keats

9th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition (Apr. 30 – May 7, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. Fine craft artists from across the state will display inspiring objects in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and three-dimensional mixed media in this 9th annual juried competition and exhibition. Juror: Denise Butler, co-founder and former Executive Director and Board member of the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro, SC. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; & May 7, 9am-noon.

Strings by Pedro Rodriguez

North Charleston City Gallery Exhibit: Works by Pedro Rodriguez ( Apr. 30 – May 31, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. Pedro Rodriguez, winner of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition, will display a variety of works in oil, including his winning design, Strings. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-31, 9am-5pm.

Work by Jenn Garrett

6th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition (May 1, 2011 – Mar. 31, 2012) – North Charleston Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston. View thought provoking, large-scale sculptures by established and emerging artists from across the nation in this 6th annual juried competition and exhibition. Juror: Sylvie Fortin, an independent curator, art historian, critic, and editor-in-chief of Art Papers. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Work by Madeline Dukes

Spring Art & Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery & Sale (Through May 28, 2011) – The Meeting Place, 1077 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. View a collection of works by this local artist cooperative. A wide range of pieces including paintings, prints, sculpture, fine crafts, jewelry and more will be available for sale. The public is invited to a free reception hosted by the artists on Wednesday, May 4, from 5-8pm during the North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk. Hours: Fri. & Sat., 11am-7pm.

Art/Humanity – 5th Annual Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 1st& 2nd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Inspired by a quote from Brock Peters, “In art there is compassion, in compassion there is humanity, with humanity there is generosity and love,” African American art quilters from across the nation will explore and depict themes of Art, Humanity, Compassion, Service, Generosity, and Love, in cloth through traditional and non-traditional fiber techniques, including innovative and original wearable art. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.

Structures – Works by Liz Whitney Quisgard (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Liz Whitney Quisgard presents sculpted columns, towers, obelisks, and wood turnings in brilliant geometric patterns reminiscent of pointillism, ancient Moorish architecture, Islamic decorative art, Navajo textiles, and Byzantine mosaics. Liz is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Pollack-Krasner Award. She has had solo shows at galleries and museums nationwide including the Andre Emmerich Gallery in New York, NY; Franz Bader Gallery in Washington, DC; Gallery 707 in Los Angeles, CA; Tiffany’s Windows in New York, NY; the Art Museum in Richmond, IN; the Carnegie Art Center in Leavenworth, KS; the Art Museum in Asheville, NC; the Savannah College of Art and Design; and the Jefferson Place Gallery, in Washington, DC, among others. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.

Work by Timothy Pakron

From Chaos – Works by Timothy Pakron (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Timothy Pakron creates mysterious portraits in hand painted silver gelatin prints and oil paintings through loose brushstrokes, splashes, and drips, resulting in portraits that are created “from chaos.” Pakron is one of Charleston’s up and coming artists to watch. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.

Heavens – Works by Deborah Meyer (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. North Charleston’s 2010/11 Artist-In-Residence, Deborah Meyer, will display large scale skyscapes and “heavens” paintings in oil inspired by Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.

From Our Cities to Our Seas – Works by Karson Photography (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Golf Club at Wescott Plantation Clubhouse, 5000 Wescott Plantation Drive, North Charleston. Kip Bulwinkle of Karson Photography presents a two dimensional exploration of our man-made and natural surroundings in this dynamic photographic series. Hours: Mon.-Wed., 8am-7pm; Thur.-Fri., 8am-11pm; & Sat.-Sun., 7:30am-7pm.

Flavor Cutz – Works by Conrad Guevara (Apr. 29 – May 6, 2011) – 10 Storehouse Row, 2120 Noisette Boulevard, North Charleston. View colorful, innovative paintings and sculptural objects achieved through experimentation with nontraditional materials. Found objects, card stock, yarn, and other disposable products are cut and reconfigured to take on the quality of moving paint. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm.

Info about visual art installation:

Ascension by Cade Kaufman (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Traffic Circle at Wescott Blvd. & Oak Forest Blvd., North Charleston. Repeating doves move with the wind and are meant to evoke a sense of peace. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Harry Potter by Corey Rodriguez (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Northwoods Park, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston. Originally inspired by the challenge to set goals and reach for one’s dreams, this rebar sculpture was later named after the popular boy wizard as it resembles him reaching for the golden snitch. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Namaste by Sarah Carlisle (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – North Charleston & American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center Grounds, 4975 Centre Pointe Drive, North Charleston. This interactive installation is a whimsical interpretation of the Sanskrit greeting. Namaste is a symbol of gratitude and respect toward others. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Pouring Cup by George Thalman (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Green space at intersection of East Montague Ave. and Spruill Ave., North Charleston. The pouring cup simulates the magic and hospitality of the Lowcountry. This piece reminds us to slow down and enjoy life. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Shoes by Lauren Rackley (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall Lobby, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. A visual representation of fashion and female beauty taken to the extreme. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Wind Fish by Coreyanna Moore (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Palmetto Gardens Park, East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. Whimsical fish from Prehistoric history come to life in a natural setting to form a sea of fish swimming in the air. Hours: daily during daylight hours.

Info on other visual art related events:

May 2, 2011 – Fiber Art Lunchtime Lecture – North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.), 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Quilt and fiber art enthusiasts are welcome to bring a lunch to this lecture on Art/Humanity, led by Torreah “Cookie” Washington, curator of the 5th annual quilt and fiber art exhibition. Cookie is a textile artist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in quilted fiber art murals, elegant wedding gowns, unique soft accessories for special occasions, and Goddess blessing dolls. She has also designed costumes for theater and film. Hours: noon-1pm.

May 3, 2011 – Visual Artist Lunchtime Lecture – North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.), 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Bring your lunch to this fascinating talk led by emerging local artist, Conrad Guevara. Topics will include his artistic process, current works, and sources of inspiration. Conrad has participated in several group exhibitions in Charleston and is a youth art instructor for area arts organizations such as Redux Contemporary Art Center, the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, and the Gibbes Museum of Art. Hours: noon-1pm.

May 4, 2011 – North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk – Olde Village area, East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. Take a stroll down East Montague Avenue through businesses, pubs, restaurants, studios, and salons to see works by local artists and fine craft artisans in a variety of subjects and mediums. Lime & the Coconuts (Ukulele/Swing/Folk) and Lane Gregory (Bluegrass/Folk/Old Time/Americana) will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening. Be sure to stop by the Art & Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery reception at the Meeting Place. Other attractions include children’s activities and live artist demonstrations. It’s an evening of art and culture for the whole family! Hours: 5-8pm.

May 5, 2011 – Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition Reception – Art/Humanity – North Charleston City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. The public is invited to join curator, Torreah “Cookie” Washington, for the opening reception of this unique quilt and fiber art exhibition. Enjoy piano jazz, blues, and spirituals by Jessica Minahan throughout the evening. Hours: 6-8pm.

For more information about the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival, including detailed event schedules and venue information, visit (www.northcharleston.org), e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843/740-5854.

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Two Headed Ass (steel) by George Long

Mass Murder Machine (steel, iron, and aluminum) by Doug Barton

Prism Arc SC (painted steel) by Carl Billingsly

When I arrived at the parking area it was almost full, which was a surprise considering the heat, but it was lunchtime so maybe folks were enjoying their lunch in the park, but as it turned out all the cars were there for either the aftermath or preparations for filming of the Lifetime drama, Army Wives. They do filming all over the former naval base and shipyard.

Cube (corten steel) by Dana Gingras

Fools Buoy (steel and concrete) by Roger Halligan

It’s been a year since I was in this park and a lot has changed. The landscaping is further developed giving the park a not so new feeling – which is a good thing. There are some new additions – a covered picnic area and a children’s playground next to it. There were also some new additions to the memorial to the Charleston Naval Yard – which I think is finally finished. It also looks like a new restaurant is in the works, which will be good – especially if you can get drinks there.

La Fleur da Vie (steel) by Teresa Howachyn

Boat Nest, Elevation of Divergence (steel) by Corrina Mensoff

End of Time (recycled metal) by Jim Shultz

There was a nice breeze at the park and it wasn’t until I finished and returned to my car that I felt hot – really hot without the breeze.

I hope you enjoy the photos. It seems that this year’s primary color is – rusted brown.

Between Hope and Despair (steel and stone) by Philip Smith

Ball Joint (cast iron and bronze) by Kristy Summers

Inside the Vee (steel and recycled materials) by Bob Turan

The results of the competition are as follows: Division I – Best in Show went to Two Headed Ass (steel) by George Long of Roswell, GA; and 2nd Place went to Mass Murder Machine (steel, iron, and aluminum) by Doug Barton of Athens, GA. Honorable Mention awards were given to: Prism Arc SC (painted steel) by Carl Billingsly of Ayden, NC; Fools Buoy (steel and concrete) by Roger Halligan of Chattanooga, TN; and Ball Joint (cast iron and bronze) by Kristy Summers of Carbondale, IL. Other works in this division include: Cube (corten steel) by Dana Gingras of Moorseville, NC; Boat Nest, Elevation of Divergence (steel) by Corrina Mensoff of Atlanta, GA; Between Hope and Despair (steel and stone) by Philip Smith of Columbia, MD; La Fleur da Vie (steel) by Teresa Howachyn (TEKLA) of Black Mountain, NC; and Inside the Vee (steel and recycled materials) by Bob Turan of Earlton, NY. Division II – End of Time (recycled metal) by Jim Shultz of North Charleston, SC.

I’ve also included some wide views of the park and a few images of the shipyard memorial, which includes a lot of art also.

You can see last year’s entry about this exhibit at this link.

For further information contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/740-5854 or visit (www.northcharleston.org).

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The North Charleston Arts Festival in North Charleston, SC, starting on Apr. 30 and continuing through May 8, 2010, is organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and numerous volunteers. The festival was launched as a one day community celebration at Park Circle in 1982 and has evolved with the addition of new facilities throughout the City. The festival moved to the North Charleston Coliseum in 1995 and expanded to two days. In 2000, the opening of the Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, and other new venues, provided the springboard for the festival to expand to nine full days of performances and activities for residents and visitors throughout the City. In 2008, the Arts Festival was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event.

Today, the festival maintains the spirit of a community celebration with the mission of presenting a comprehensive, multidiscipline event schedule that provides an array of performing, visual, media, and literary arts events for people of all ages and backgrounds. The festival is accessible to all with numerous free and moderately priced events.

The Festival’s Main Event, takes place May 1 (10am-4pm) & 2 (2pm-5pm), 2010, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center & Charleston Area Convention Center. Bring the whole family to enjoy over 40 stage performances on 4 separate stages and many of the following exhibits. Check out the details at this link. The event is free with free parking.

The North Charleston Arts Festival offers many visual art exhibits and installations including:

The annual North Charleston Arts Festival Fine Art and Photography Exhibits will take place at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston, from May 1–2, 9am–6pm; May 3–7, 9am–5pm & May 8, 9am–noon. View entries in Fine Art and Professional & Amateur Photography.

The annual SC Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition takes place at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive, from May 1-2, 9am-6pm; May 3-7, 9am-5pm & May 8, 2010, 9am-noon. The state’s only juried fine craft competition and exhibition includes works in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and 3-D mixed media. The competition was juried by Brian Lang, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at the Columbia Museum of Art.

Colors of the Wind by Muriel Lanciault

An exhibit of works by Muriel Lanciault will be on view at the North Charleston City Gallery, at the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive, from May 1-2, 9am-6pm and May 3-26, 2010, Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm. Muriel Lanciault, winner of the 2010 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition, will display a variety of subjects in watercolors and oils, including the winning design, Colors of the Wind. Meet the artist at the gallery during the Main Event, May 1 & 2.

The 5th National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition takes place at the North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue (on the former Charleston Naval Base) from May 2010 through March 2011. The public park is open daily. Selected pieces from this annual juried competition are installed throughout the picturesque grounds of Riverfront Park. The competition was juried by Stuart Horodner, Artistic Director of the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.

The Art & Fine Craft Co-op Gallery & Sale will take place at The Meeting Place, located at 1077 East Montague Avenue through May 29, 2010, Fri.–Sat., 11am–7pm. This venue presents paintings, prints, sculpture, fine crafts, and jewelry by local artists – all available for sale.

The exhibit, Honoring Zora: Stitching Wise Words, Art Quotes and Art Quilts, will take place at 10 Storehouse Row (Noisette Blvd), at the Navy Yard at Noisette (former Chas, Naval Base) through June 13, 2010, Mon.–Fri., 8am–8pm and Sat., 10am–7pm. The quilts and fiber art works in this unique exhibition explore and depict themes and images of the Harlem Renaissance, garnering inspiration from quotes by Zora Neale Hurston, considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature. A short film about local African-American quilters will be presented during the exhibition. Co-presented with the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs & the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Works by Robert Maniscalco will be on view on the 2nd floor of the North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane in North Charleston, through May 8, 2010, from 8am-8pm. The City’s 2010 Artist-In-Residence and nationally known portrait artist, Robert Maniscalco, will display classical portraiture in the tradition of Rembrandt, Velazquez, and Sargent.

An exhibit of collage works by Sriharsha and Siddhartha Sukla will be on view on the 2nd floor at the North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane through May 8, 2010, from 8am-8pm. Sriharsha and Siddhartha Sukla, are hearing impaired artists from Orissa, India. They will display intricate portraits and landscapes in paper collage.

The Festival will also be presenting a number of art installations including:

Family Tree, an indoor installation presented in the lobby at the North Charleston City Hall, 2500 City Hall Lane, through May 8, from 8am-8pm. Artist Julie Klapper, owner of Artistic Spirit Gallery, located at 10 Storehouse Row, at the Navy Yard at Noisette, explores the parallels of her feelings on family and nature in this installation of photographs and fabric wrapped tree branches.

Confluence: Mary Edna & Rocket, an indoor installation will be presented on the 3rd floor at the North Charleston City Hall, 2500 City Hall Lane, through May 17, 2010, 8am-8pm. Mary Edna Fraser’s large scale batiks on silk and Rebecca Rocket’s fabric and found-object jellyfish transform North Charleston City Hall. This installation features Fraser’s 21′ x 9′ adaptation of Buckminster Fuller’s 1930s Dymaxion Map, as well as aerial and underwater batiks. Fraser’s dreamy monotypes surround Rocket’s floating jellies. Viewed from above and below, the combination is a confluent dance of surface design.

Ant, an outdoor installation by Lauren Rackley will be presented on the grounds of the North Charleston & American Lafrance Fire Museum and Education Center, located at 2975 Centre Pointe Drive, in North Charleston, through May 8, 2010, on view daily. This interactive installation is a whimsical interpretation of an often overlooked creature. Created by College of Charleston sculpture student, Lauren Rackley.

An untitled outdoor installation by Hudson Hamrick will be presented inside the traffic circle at Wescott & Oak Forest Boulevards in North Charleston, through May 8, 2010, on view daily. The four metal figures in this piece represent the stages of life, from childhood to wizened old age, with the tallest figure reaching 10 feet high. Created by College of Charleston sculpture student, Hudson Hamrick.

The Luminous Forest, an outdoor installation by Corey Anna Moore will be presented at Palmetto Gardens Park, located on East Montague Avenue in North Charleston, through May 8, 2010, on view daily. Constructed of 7 foot tall pipe “stems” topped with acrylic orbs, this forest glows with solar lighting at dusk. Created by College of Charleston sculpture student, Corey Anna Moore.

What is a Garden?, is an outdoor installation by JR Kramer, located at the intersection of East Montague & Spruill Avenues, in North Charleston, on view daily through May 8, 2010. This plant-based installation will explore our perception of ‘Greenwashing’ in a culture where buzzwords trump reality. Created by landscape architect JR Kramer, with assistance from Southern Lumber & Mill Work Corp., Green Acres Landscaping, Todd Brazell Painting, Fieldstone Center, Fisher Recycling, Cottage Garden, and Stone Casting.

Check the Festival’s weekly schedule for related events offered in conjunction with these exhibits and installations.

For further information contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/745-1087 or at (www.northcharleston.org).

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I guess by the way some of us talk every year we tend to forget that it gets hot here in South Carolina during the summer and projections of 100+ degrees the day before summer starts is no big deal – life goes on – you just wear less clothes. Besides I was at least smart enough to go in the morning when the temp was just 85 degrees.

Here’s a commercial announcement from the City of North Charleston: Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this unique exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their thought provoking, extraordinary sculptures throughout the stunning, picturesque Riverfront Park. Set on the banks of the gorgeous Cooper River, visitors enjoy ten acres of walking paths, a fishing pier, an oversized sandbox and children’s play fountain and the new Naval Base Memorial. A magnificent contemporary Performance Pavilion and expansive lawn provide a wonderful outdoor setting for small and large-scale events. Future park additions include a pedestrian bridge across Noisette Creek to the Hunley Submarine Museum. The historic site is centered in the Noisette District, the largest urban redevelopment project ever undertaken in the United States.

The 2009 National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition juror was David Furchgott, President and Founder of International Arts and Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally through exhibitions, programs and services to artists, arts institutions, and the public. For over 16 years, he was the Executive Director of the International Sculpture Center, which he developed to become the largest organization for sculpture with 15,000 members in over 70 countries. It was there that he began and published Sculpture magazine. Previously, he was with the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Gibbes Museum of Art and a consultant to the Spoleto Festival USA.

So here are the sculptures in this year’s exhibition:

Big Water Bottle Basket, steel, enamel by Jonathan Brilliant of Charleston, SC

Rich Sis, steel, wood by James Burnes of Santa Fe, NM

Boxes in a Box, aluminum by Samuel Burns of Chattanooga, TN

Orion’s Pyramid, steel by Stephen Chilingirian or Zirconia, NC

Cathedral Arch, steel by Bob Doster of Lancaster, SC

Thoughts Running Like a River, aluminum by Pattie Firestone of Chevy Chase, MD

Suffering Passes, Having Suffered Never Passes; In Living, Loss and Rebirth Enfold One Another, oak by James Fuhrman of Glenmoore, PA

Wave Form #5, reclaimed dock boards by Gary Gresko of Oriental, NC

Ollie’s Buoy, steel and concrete by Roger Halligan of Chattanooga, TN

Personal Space, steel by Hanna Jubran of Grimesland, NC

Where I have come from, what will I leave behind?, steel and cast iron by Corrina Sephora Mensoff of Atlanta, GA

Triangle Tango, steel by Bob Turan of Earlton, NY

Ker-Plunk, steel by Adam Walls of Red Springs, NC

The results of the competition for the 2009 National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition are as follows:
Best in Show went to James Fuhrman for Suffering Passes, Having Suffered Never Passes; In Living, Loss and Rebirth Enfold One Another; 2nd Place was given to Roger Halligan for Ollie’s Buoy; 3 Honorable Mentions went to Jonathan Brilliant for Water Bottle Basket, Corrina Sephora Mensoff for Where I have come from, What will I leave behind?, and Bob Turan for Triangle Tango.

See images from the 2008 exhibit and 2007 exhibit. There are also a few sculptures still in the park from previous exhibits.

We don’t have many contemporary public sculptures on display in the greater Charleston area, in fact there are next to none on display in the City of Charleston, which is amazing for such an arts city. So, besides this exhibit in North Charleston and the 19 works on display in Azalea Park in Summerville, SC, part of the permanent outdoor collection donated by the Sculpture in the South organization, you won’t find many sculptures here.

This display in Riverfront Park seems a little thin in that it is a large park and most of the sculptures in this year’s exhibit are small or it might be better to say – they are not monumental. I’m not complaining, in fact I’m amazed that the City of North Charleston has mounted their fourth sculpture exhibit. It’s a major effort for the artists, the City, and the Cultural Arts Department. After all, this park is to be used by people – it’s not a museum. And, there were a good number of people using the park the morning I went there – some also taking photos of the sculptures. But, always wanting more of a good thing – I’d like to see bigger sculptures, more of them, and more sculptures by different artists (there is a group of artists who seemed to have had works in all four exhibits).

But here’s the catch – I don’t have any money to give North Charleston to expand their efforts, and arts money is in short supply these days. So, it’s hard to expect more – even when you want it.

In conclusion – the City of North Charleston is doing a great job with this program – better than their so-called artsy cousin Charleston. Hopefully more sculpture lovers from Charleston and elsewhere will go visit this exhibit and park. And, hopefully these  summer temps won’t last forever. But you can take it if I can – I’m a transplanted Yankee.

For further info or details about the next sculpture competition contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843/745-1087 or at (www.northcharleston.org).

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