May 2011

North Charleston Arts Festival Takes Place Through May 7, 2011, with Many Visual Art Offerings

Now in its 29th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival is taking place through May 7, 2011, throughout North Charleston, SC. 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.

The North Charleston Arts Festival presents many visual art exhibitions in various venues, some continuing beyond the days of the Festival. The following is a survey of these exhibits and other visual art related events.

View entries in Fine Art and Professional & Amateur Photography at the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. The juror for the Fine Art Exhibition was Michael W. Haga, Art History Adjunct Faculty and Associate Dean at the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts. Photography entries were judged using the Photographic Society of America Print Guidelines. The exhibits are on view: May 1, 9am-pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; and May 7, 9am-noon.

The 9th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition is also on view at the Charleston Area Convention Center. 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 annual juried competition and exhibition. The juror for this show was Denise Butler, co-founder and former Executive Director and Board member of the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro, SC. The exhibit is on view: May 1, 9am-pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; and May 7, 9am-noon.

An exhibit of works by Pedro Rodriguez, winner of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition are on view from May 1 - 31, 2011, at the North Charleston City Gallery at the Charleston Area Convention Center. The exhibit will display a variety of works in oil, including his winning design, Strings. The exhibit is on view: May 1, 9am-pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; and May 7, 9am-noon.

A number of exhibits will be taking place at the North Charleston City Hall located at 2500 City Hall Lane in North Charleston including:

Art/Humanity – 5th Annual Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition, located on the 1st& 2nd floor of City Hall, will be on view through June 13, 2011. 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. The exhibit is on view daily from 8am-8pm.

Structures, featuring works by Liz Whitney Quisgard, located on the 3rd floor or City Hall, will be on view through June 13, 2011. 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. Quisgard 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. The exhibit is on view daily from 8am-8pm.

From Chaos, featuring works by Timothy Pakron, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, will be on view through June 13, 2011. 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. He is represented by Rebekah Jacob Gallery and was chosen to exhibit in the 2010 Spoleto exhibition, Contemporary Charleston, at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The exhibit is on view daily from 8am-8pm.

Heavens, featuring works by Deborah Meyer, located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, will be on view through May 7, 2011. North Charleston’s 2010/11 Artist-In-Residence, 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.” The exhibit is on view daily from 8am-8pm.

The exhibit, From Our Cities to Our Seas, featuring works by Karson Photography will be on view at the Golf Club at Wescott Plantation Clubhouse, located at 5000 Wescott Plantation Drive in North Charleston. The exhibit is on view through May 7, 2011. Kip Bulwinkle of Karson Photography presents a two dimensional exploration of our man-made and natural surroundings in this dynamic photographic series. The exhibit is on view Mon.-Wed, 8am-7pm; Thur. & Fri., 8am-11pm; and Sat. & Sun., 7:30am-7pm.

Flavor Cutz, featuring works by Conrad Guevara, will be on view at 10 Storehouse Row, located at 2120 Noisette Boulevard in 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. The exhibit will be on view Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm.

The 6th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, takes place at the North Charleston Riverfront Park, at 1001 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston. View thought provoking, large-scale sculptures by established and emerging artists from across the nation in this annual juried competition and exhibition. The juror was Sylvie Fortin, an independent curator, art historian, critic, and editor-in-chief of Art Papers. The exhibit will be on view through March 2012. The exhibit can be seen during daylight hours.

The annual Spring Art & Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery & Sale is taking place again at The Meeting Place, located at 1077 East Montague Avenue in North Charleston’s Olde Town district. 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 exhibit is open on Fri. & Sat., from 11am-7pm and on May 4, from 5-8pm during the North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk.

Several visual art installations will also be offered in various locations on view during daylight hours (except where mentioned) including:

Ascension by Cade Kaufman will be on view at the Traffic Circle at Wescott Blvd. & Oak Forest Blvd. in North Charleston, through May 7, 2011. Repeating doves move with the wind and are meant to evoke a sense of peace.

Harry Potter by Corey Rodriguez will be on view at Northwoods Park, located at 8348 Greenridge Road in North Charleston, through May 7, 2011. 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.

Namaste by Sarah Carlisle will be on view outside the North Charleston & American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center Grounds, located at 4975 Centre Pointe Drive in North Charleston through May 7, 2011. This interactive installation is a whimsical interpretation of the Sanskrit greeting. Namaste is a symbol of gratitude and respect toward others.

Pouring Cup by George Thalman will be located at the green space at intersection of East Montague Ave. and Spruill Ave. in North Charleston through May 7, 2011. The pouring cup simulates the magic and hospitality of the Lowcountry. This piece reminds us to slow down and enjoy life.

Shoes by Lauren Rackley will be located at the North Charleston City Hall Lobby, located at 2500 City Hall Lane in North Charleston through June 13, 2011. A visual representation of fashion and female beauty taken to the extreme. The installation will be on view daily from 8am-8pm.

Wind Fish by Coreyanna Moore will be on view at Palmetto Gardens Park, located at East Montague Avenue in North Charleston through May 7, 2011. Whimsical fish from Prehistoric history come to life in a natural setting to form a sea of fish swimming in the air.

A number of related events will be taking place in conjunction with many of the exhibits and installations including:

On May 2, 2011, noon-1pm - Fiber Art Lunchtime Lecture, at the North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.). 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. Washington 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.

On May 3, 2011, noon-1pm - Visual Artist Lunchtime Lecture, at the North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.). 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. Guevara 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.

On May 4, 2011, 5-8pm - North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk in the Olde Village area, East Montague Avenue, in 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!

On May 5, 2011, 6-8pm - Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition Reception - Art/Humanity at the North Charleston City Hall, (2nd fl.). 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.

For more 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival information, including detailed event schedules and venue information, visit (www.northcharleston.org) or call the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843/740-5854. You can also check our SC Institutional Gallery listings.

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