October Issue 1999
Southern Authors Come To Call at Charleston's Main Library
A unique art installation, honoring Southern authors, will
open Oct. 17 and continue through Nov. 30 in the art gallery
of the Charleston County Main Library on Calhoun Street, in Charleston,
SC.
Created by Gertrude Simon, a papermaking artist and teacher, the
exhibition features many noted Southern writers. It includes some
of those who have used Charleston as "place", in their
works, as well as other significant writers who were born here,
or were actual residents of Charleston and vicinity during their
careers.
A principal element of the installation consists of two wall-mounted,
open page book structures, each containing twelve pages. Each
individual structure measures approximately ten feet in length.
Both contain text and pictures dealing with the writers and the
period.
A Southern ambiance is created in the Gallery by some of Simon's
paper waxworks as well as a number of other art objects made of,
or covered with, handmade paper. These objects interact with each
other to support the theme of Southern Authors Come to Call.
During the weeks preceding the show, residents of Charleston,
patrons of the Library, and others, have an opportunity to "
vote" for their favorite Southern authors and/or Southern
books by means of a " ballot" offered through displays
and the local media. During the show, these " ballots"
will be displayed on a bulletin board in the art gallery. (See
below)
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Library is planning a
number of coordinated activities. Speakers and special displays,
relating to Southern authors, have been arranged. In the Children's
Library, Simon is planning another exhibit, Let's Make Paper.
Gertrude Simon has lived in the Lowcountry for fourteen years.
She has conducted numerous workshops on papermaking and related
subjects at the Gibbes Museum Studio. As an Artist in Residence
in the Arts-In-Education Program of the SC Arts Commission, she
has taught papermaking at many grade levels throughout the State.
She has exhibited locally and nationally. Her works are in many
public and private collections.
In a statement about her exhibit, Simon said, "Ever since
moving to South Carolina, I have become increasingly interested
in the work of Southern authors and in the lives of the authors
themselves. This interest lead to the formation of a Southern
Literature Book Club in my community, which I have co-chaired
for several years. Our reading has ranged from Southern literature
of the colonial and ante-bellum period up to the present time.
I believe that recognition of Southern authors and their works,
especially some of those who used the Charleston area as a venue
for their stories, is well deserved. This art installation is
the fruition of a desire I have had to blend my art with my interest
in Southern literature."
For more info check our SC Insttutional Gallery listings or call
843/805-6801.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer 427, Bonneau, SC
29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
Subscriptions are available for $18 a year.
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring
Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc.
Copyright© 1999 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts
from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts
Online, Copyright© 1999 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved
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