April Issue 2002
Lynda English Gallery-Studio Serves Florence, SC, Art Community
by Suzanne Jebaily
In Nov. of 1998, Jackie Wukela and Lynda English
opened a Gallery-Studio at 403 Second Loop Road in Florence, SC,
to create a venue for their work and, maybe, teach a few watercolor
classes here and there. Lynda English Gallery-Studio today hosts
half a dozen regular instructors who teach, in addition to traditional
and experimental watermedia, adult and youth drawing classes,
special topic classes in oil, batik, monotype, collage, and six-week
open studio sessions in which a variety of media are explored.
Well known regional and national artists, including Rose Metz,
Harriet Goode, Bonnie Auten, and Ilona Royce-Smithkin, to name
a few, teach their specialties in heavily attended workshops.
And the enterprising artists still teach their share of classes,
as well as manage their own full time careers. "We have worked
to establish a community of artists offering services and a place
to meet, learn, and exchange ideas," says the visionary duo.
As part of their efforts to promote an understanding
and appreciation for original art in the Pee Dee Community, the
Gallery-Studio owners invite selected area artists to join them
in a Holiday Open House during the Christmas Season. And in May
of each year the property is the scene of an outdoor festival
hosting over 30 artists and artisans from around the state, who
have the opportunity to show and sell their work, rent and commission
free. This year, as in the past, many artists will offer demonstrations
in a variety of media and techniques. Live entertainment will
add a new dimension to "May Fair 2002", and the hours
are being extended into the evening. Space is open to any artist
or artisan in South Carolina, and is assigned on a first come
first serve basis. This year's event will be held on May 18, 2002,
from 10am to 8pm.
Both Wukela and English are frequent award winners in a number
of local, regional and national juried exhibitions. English is
a signature member of the South Carolina Watercolor Society, and
currently serves on that Board of Directors. Both artists expect
to achieve signature member status in the Colored Pencil International
Competition this year, as well. What time they have left after
pursuing their own professional goals is divided between teaching
classes, providing technical services to students and local artists,
and working on commissioned projects.
In this artist's opinion, Jackie and Lynda deserve kudos for their
efforts to promote original art in a community where the visual
arts are barely acknowledged. This town has great theater, music,
and dance support, but we painter and potter types are really
struggling. Clearly, if we artists don't do the educating, no
one else will. Instead of whining, growing bitter, pessimistic,
and ultimately fulfilling the self-fulfilling prophecy, English
and Wukela are making good karma. My hat is off to them!
For info about classes, "May Fair, 2002", or other programs at the Gallery-Studio, or to add your name to the mailing list, call 843/673-9144.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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Carolina Arts
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Copyright© 2002 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
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