Now in its 29th year, the North Charleston Arts Festival will take place throughout North Charleston, SC, from April 29 through May 7, 2011. 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. For detailed event schedules and venue information, visit (www.northcharleston.org).
Info about visual art offerings:
Judged Fine Art & Photography Exhibitions (Apr. 30 – May 7, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. View entries in Fine Art and Professional & Amateur Photography. Fine Art Juror: Michael W. Haga, Art History Adjunct Faculty and Associate Dean at the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts. Photography entries judged using the Photographic Society of America Print Guidelines. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; & May 7, 9am-noon.
Work by Kim Keats
9th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition (Apr. 30 – May 7, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. 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 9th annual juried competition and exhibition. Juror: Denise Butler, co-founder and former Executive Director and Board member of the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro, SC. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-6, 9am-5pm; & May 7, 9am-noon.
Strings by Pedro Rodriguez
North Charleston City Gallery Exhibit: Works by Pedro Rodriguez ( Apr. 30 – May 31, 2011) – Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston. Pedro Rodriguez, winner of the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival Design Competition, will display a variety of works in oil, including his winning design, Strings. Hours: April 30 & May 1, 9am-6pm; May 2-31, 9am-5pm.
Work by Jenn Garrett
6th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition (May 1, 2011 – Mar. 31, 2012) – North Charleston Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston. View thought provoking, large-scale sculptures by established and emerging artists from across the nation in this 6th annual juried competition and exhibition. Juror: Sylvie Fortin, an independent curator, art historian, critic, and editor-in-chief of Art Papers. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Work by Madeline Dukes
Spring Art & Fine Craft Co-Op Gallery & Sale (Through May 28, 2011) – The Meeting Place, 1077 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. 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 public is invited to a free reception hosted by the artists on Wednesday, May 4, from 5-8pm during the North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk. Hours: Fri. & Sat., 11am-7pm.
Art/Humanity – 5th Annual Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 1st& 2nd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. 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. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.
Structures – Works by Liz Whitney Quisgard (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Liz Whitney 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. Liz 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. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.
Work by Timothy Pakron
From Chaos – Works by Timothy Pakron (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. Timothy 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. Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.
Heavens – Works by Deborah Meyer (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall, 3rd floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. North Charleston’s 2010/11 Artist-In-Residence, Deborah 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.” Hours: daily from 8am-8pm.
From Our Cities to Our Seas – Works by Karson Photography (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Golf Club at Wescott Plantation Clubhouse, 5000 Wescott Plantation Drive, North Charleston. Kip Bulwinkle of Karson Photography presents a two dimensional exploration of our man-made and natural surroundings in this dynamic photographic series. Hours: Mon.-Wed., 8am-7pm; Thur.-Fri., 8am-11pm; & Sat.-Sun., 7:30am-7pm.
Flavor Cutz – Works by Conrad Guevara (Apr. 29 – May 6, 2011) – 10 Storehouse Row, 2120 Noisette Boulevard, 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. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm.
Info about visual art installation:
Ascension by Cade Kaufman (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Traffic Circle at Wescott Blvd. & Oak Forest Blvd., North Charleston. Repeating doves move with the wind and are meant to evoke a sense of peace. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Harry Potter by Corey Rodriguez (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Northwoods Park, 8348 Greenridge Road, North Charleston. 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. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Namaste by Sarah Carlisle (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – North Charleston & American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center Grounds, 4975 Centre Pointe Drive, North Charleston. This interactive installation is a whimsical interpretation of the Sanskrit greeting. Namaste is a symbol of gratitude and respect toward others. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Pouring Cup by George Thalman (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Green space at intersection of East Montague Ave. and Spruill Ave., North Charleston. The pouring cup simulates the magic and hospitality of the Lowcountry. This piece reminds us to slow down and enjoy life. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Shoes by Lauren Rackley (Apr. 29 – June 13, 2011) – North Charleston City Hall Lobby, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. A visual representation of fashion and female beauty taken to the extreme. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Wind Fish by Coreyanna Moore (Apr. 29 – May 7, 2011) – Palmetto Gardens Park, East Montague Avenue, North Charleston. Whimsical fish from Prehistoric history come to life in a natural setting to form a sea of fish swimming in the air. Hours: daily during daylight hours.
Info on other visual art related events:
May 2, 2011 – Fiber Art Lunchtime Lecture – North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.), 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. 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. Cookie 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. Hours: noon-1pm.
May 3, 2011 – Visual Artist Lunchtime Lecture – North Charleston City Hall, Montague Conference Rm. (2nd fl.), 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. 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. Conrad 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. Hours: noon-1pm.
May 4, 2011 – North Charleston Arts Festival Art Walk – Olde Village area, East Montague Avenue, 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! Hours: 5-8pm.
May 5, 2011 – Quilt & Fiber Art Exhibition Reception – Art/Humanity – North Charleston City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston. 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. Hours: 6-8pm.
For more information about the 2011 North Charleston Arts Festival, including detailed event schedules and venue information, visit (www.northcharleston.org), e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or contact the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843/740-5854.