May 2011

Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, SC, Features Folk Art and Works by the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild

The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, SC, is presenting the exhibits, The Collectors’ Vision: Southern Folk Art, featuring works from the Collection of Ann and Ted Oliver, on view through Oct. 2, 2011 and the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild’s 14th Annual Juried Exhibition, on view from May 5 through May 26, 2011. A reception and awards presentation will be held on May 5, from 5:30-7:30pm

The exhibit, The Collectors’ Vision: Southern Folk Art, will feature approximately 100 pieces from both the Olivers’ former gallery in Hendersonville, NC, and their personal collection.

Folk art, sometimes referred to as outsider, raw or naïve art, is defined as art inspired from personal experience, rather than from systematic or formal fine arts training, with roots that are closely tied to rural or pre-industrial society. North Carolinians Ann and Ted Oliver, longtime and passionate collectors of Southern folk art, have amassed over 1,000 of these works while combing miles of back roads and developing personal relationships with many of the artists in their collection.

Both art educators as well as collectors, the Olivers purchased their first piece of folk art in 1996. Nine years later they opened a gallery to sell works from the genre as part of their desire to preserve the creative legacy and culture of their Southern roots.

Among their treasures are works by artists such as Jimmy Lee Sudduth, known for his “sweet mud” paintings on plywood made by mixing elements of clay, earth, rocks and plants with sugar water, Coca Cola or coffee grounds and painting with his fingers; Mose Tolliver and his daughter Annie, who painted with house paint on plywood, often attaching beer can pop-tops to the back of the works as hangers; Lorenzo Scott, whose religious paintings are mounted in heavily wrought frames using Bondo, a putty used in automotive body repair, and gold paint to resemble the works of the Old Masters of the Renaissance.

Also included are works by some of the best-known north Georgia folk potters such as Lanier Meaders, his brother Reggie, A. G. Meaders, Bobby Ferguson, J. H. Purdue, Chester Hewell and B. R. Holcomb.

The Olivers’ collection is uniquely illustrative of contemporary Southern folk artists. From the visionary paintings of Alpha Andrews to the recycled “canvases” made of found materials used by Purvis Young, themes of religion, childhood memories and personal experience resonate throughout the works. The bright colors and simple forms draw the viewer into the artists’ expressions of what they see in their minds’ eyes, expressions of their souls, their stories and the culture of the South.

Over 50 two-dimensional and three-dimensional works were selected for jurying from 94 entries for the 14th Annual Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition. Works selected for display include photographs and oil, watercolor and mixed media. The show is a perennially popular event with locals and visitors. A large percentage of the works on display will also be available for purchase.

Judge and juror for this year’s competition is Cara-lin Getty. Getty is a distinguished Professor emeritus at University of South Carolina, Sumter and Director/Curator of the USC Sumter Art Galleries. She is a working artist whose art mediums have varied over the years. Some of her background includes painting in many mediums, digital art, ceramics and others.

Cash awards to be given include the $800 Rebecca R. Bryan Best in Show Award, as well as First, Second and Third Place awards of $500, $350 and $200 respectively. An additional 10 works will also be selected for Honorable Mentions.

The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is a wholly nonprofit institution located across from Springmaid Pier at 3100 South Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. Components of Museum programs are funded in part by support from the City of Myrtle Beach, the Horry County Council and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Museum at 843/238-2510 or visit (www.MyrtleBeachArtMuseum.org).

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