February Issue 2002
Sumter, South Carolina - Arts Magnet?
Patriot Hall Galleries Present Exhibit by SC's Home Grown
The Sumter County Cultural Commission is presenting the exhibition entitled, Out of Necessity: Art Driven by the Soul, at Patriot Hall Galleries in Sumter, SC, which will be on view through Feb. 11, 2002. The South Carolina artists included are: Ken Blunt, Rock Hill; Richard Burnside, Pendleton; Sam Doyle (1906-1985), St. Helena Island; Pearl Fryar, Bishopville; Sophie Ross, Sumter; William Thomas Thompson, Greenville; Gene Merritt, Rock Hill; Ernest Lee, North Augusta; Minnie Deschamps (1889-1987), Sumter; and Freddie Bennett, Sumter.
The exhibit, Out of Necessity, organized
by Tom Stanley of Winthrop University, in Rock Hill, SC, features
paintings and sculptures created by artists using "the means
available" to communicate and express feelings, dreams, concepts
and to share everyday life experiences. Stanley has collected
these works from private collections, the SC State Museum, the
SC Arts Commission, and through personal contact with the artists.
These visual artists work in styles that range from "grassroots"
and "folk art" to fantasy and contemporary.
Oftentimes visual works of art defy classification. After all,
they are made by individuals who are typically trying to respond
in a very personal way to an idea, an event or a feeling that
is difficult to express. In many respects, art is made out of
an inner necessity. Even if the final goal is to sell the art
work or receive personal recognition, the initial desire to make
art is driven by a greater imperative.
The ten South Carolina artists in this exhibition exemplify individuals
who have created their own forms of visual art. Several artists
like Freddy Bennett, Richard Burnside and Sam Doyle have used
recycled or non-traditional art materials out of their need to
be resourceful in difficult times. Others like William Thomas
Thompson and Sophie Ross needed to make their art after a life-changing
experience. Artists Gene Merritt and Ernest Lee have created their
own unique businesses in a need to make a living. Ken Blunt and
Minnie Deschamps were compelled to make art after experiencing
the art work of others. Pearl Fryar needed to be noticed so he
could earn "Yard-of-the-Month" honors. Still, there
is a larger, overriding and individual calling at play in each
of these artists.
What makes this art distinctive is that each artist has found
their own artistic voice. Each artist has created a singular vision
like no other. Each artist has created his or her own style. They
are making an art without fear. If we are drawn to this art, it
is because of its authenticity, not it's adherence to a set of
standards. This work may not always exhibit a perceived idea of
beauty, but then, this work possesses an element of truth as it
reflects the life of each individual represented by his or her
work.
"This exhibition has been a collaborative project,"
said Tom Stanley. "I want to thank Martha Greenway and Peggy
and Booth Chilcutt for their council, guidance and help. I would
also like to thank the South Carolina Arts Commission and the
South Carolina State Museum for generously loaning works to this
project. I am especially grateful to Paul Matheny and Harriett
Green. Thanks to Michael Duffy for his help in transmitting images.
I am most thankful to private collectors and to the artists who
lent work to this project and who have been willing to share their
wonderful visions with us."
"Although most of these artists have been included in exhibits either in their own community or in the US, some have exhibited in Europe and Asia, said Paul Matheny, curator at the SC State Museum. "This is the first time in seven years that there has been an in-depth look at the variety of artists that fit this genre of work specifically from South Carolina. The first exhibit in SC to include this type of artist, which also included NC artists, was Worth Keeping: Found Artists from the Carolinas, which opened in 1981 in Columbia, SC, and was later revisited in 1997 as Still Worth Keeping: Communities, Preservation and Self-Taught Art with a much broader focus at the SC State Museum. The Piccolo Spoleto Festival in 1995 hosted Visions of Self-Taught Artists: Nine from South Carolina the first exhibit to showcase only SC self-taught artists."
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or call Martha Greenway at 803/436-2260.
USC-Sumter Organizes Galleria 2002
The University of South Carolina at Sumter along with five other local art galleries in Sumter, SC, will be hosting the fifth annual Galleria. The event will take place on the evening of Feb. 22, from 6 to 10pm.
Galleria is an
annual gallery crawl which Sumter has held for the last four years
to promote art in the Community. This year's Galleria will
have the public viewing a large number of different types of artwork
presented by participating artists.
The Sumter Gallery of Art on Main Street will offer the annual
NBSC Oil Painter's Open Invitational exhibition which brings
together works by some of South Carolina's best oil painters.
The exhibition will be on view from Feb. 2 - Mar. 17.
The Sumter County Cultural Commission will present works by Deanna
Leamon with an exhibition at Patriot Hall Galleries located on
Haynesworth Street.
USC Sumter, located on Miller Road, will be offering three exhibitions
that evening. The University Gallery located in Anderson Library
will offer an exhibition of works by Clemson, SC, artist, Sidney
Cross. This exhibit is on view through Feb. 28. Works by Sumter's
own, Amylynn Bills Levi, will be featured in the Upstairs Gallery
located in the Administration Building on campus. This exhibition
will be up through Mar. 31. While at the Administration Building,
visitors can also enjoy works by William J. Reynolds, on view
in the WJR Gallery. Reynolds, an ex-military pilot created paintings
which reflected his career. These works are available for viewing
on a regular basis.
The Art Shop located on Bultman Drive will be open to presents works by gallery artists: William Carl Bell, Ray Davenport, Tim Graham, Evy Hawkins, Debbie Shelley, Ashley Lareau, Karen Luckings, Rose Metz, and Mary Ann Reames.
David's Gallery and Salon, also on Bultman
Drive, will be offering an exhibition of works by Columbia, SC,
artist Mike Williams, who is known for his paintings and sculpture
based on the subjects of fish and swamps. This exhibition will
be on view from Feb. 18 - 28.
The Uptown Deli on N. Main Street will be exhibiting works by
members of the Osmosis Group from Columbia, SC. The group of six
painters include: . This exhibition will be on view from Feb.
1 - 28.
Come to Sumter on Feb. 22 and join in with
the community to enjoy all these art offerings.
For more information on "Galleria 2002" contact either
Cara-lin Getty at 803/938-3727 or Laura Cardello at 803/938-3858.
What's Next?
The Sumter County Cultural Commission will
present an exhibition entitled, Wearable Art, at Patriot
Hall Galleries from Mar. 29 - Apr. 17, 2002. This will be a national
juried exhibition dealing with wearable art & fashion and
related performances. The juror will be Bernadette Y. Vielbig
Visiting Profesor of Art at the University of South Carolina.
Stay tuned.
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