Artisphere marks return to normalcy

Festival runs Friday through Sunday

Artisphere presented by TD Bank announced some of its new and exciting programs for Greenville’s premier arts and cultural celebration, May 6-8, and reminded loyal patrons that many festival favorites will return in 2022.

This year’s festival will span Main Street from Court and Main to Wardlaw and Main, is free to the public, and will feature 135 visual artists working in 17 different mediums on GE Artist Row.

“Every year, Artisphere brings a wonderful variety of art, artists and entertainment to downtown Greenville,” said Chris Fincher, regional vice rresident for TD Bank. “TD Bank is happy to play a part in helping Artisphere continue its great success, and we look forward to another exciting festival this year along our beautiful Main Street.”

Artisphere is an operating support grantee of the South Carolina Arts Commission.


What’s New

Truist Arts and Drafts

At the intersection of E. Broad and Main streets, this exciting new exhibit features 14 different craft beers from Brewery 85, Hi Wire, Columbia Craft, Wicked Weed, Bold Rock, New Belgium, Steel Hands, Catawba Brewing, and Palmetto Brewing Company. Beer enthusiasts can choose from an assortment of styles while taking in live art making as three uber talented, regional artists transform multiple 4’x7’ blank canvases to works of art.  Multi-disciplinary  artist Ninja Picasso of Greenville will be painting Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Muralist Gus Cutty of Asheville will paint Friday and Saturday, and digital artist and muralist Cloud Cruiser of Atlanta will paint Saturday and Sunday.

Fine Arts Center Student/Teacher Exhibition

The Fine Arts Center in Greenville prepares dedicated students for 21st-century careers through rigorous, pre-professional arts training in a dynamic, inclusive, collaborative learning community. The Fine Arts Center Student/Teacher Exhibition, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, showcases a piece from each of the six teachers in the visual arts department, as well three to five additional student pieces from FAC students selected by each Visual Arts teacher.


Returning Festival Favorites

Spinx Kidsphere and Legacy Early College Kidsphere Music

Kidsphere on the north end of the festival (the intersection of Broad & Main streets) has been an Artisphere staple since the festival’s inception, welcoming thousands of children every year to participate in hands-on visual arts and crafts. Volunteers from ReCraft will lead the charge in this fun and interactive tent for kids of all ages, where budding young artists can create their own original artwork!  Kids will learn a variety of fine art and craft techniques while weaving their own textiles, making and decorating hats and masks, and using their imaginations to build an upcycled work of art at the Creation Station! The Straws and Connectors Zone is a must-do, where kids can contribute to a Kidsphere kid-sized sculpture.  Other activities include stations for handmade Mother’s Day cards, celebration hats, and yarn rope belts.

DRUM Percussion Studio will lead interactive sessions for children to explore their musical genius with a variety of percussion instruments.  Kids will also be invited to make colorful and creative masks that they can then wear while parading with DRUM down Main Street throughout the weekend.   During these fun and lively parades, students from the T.L. Hanna art department will be showcasing their handmade wearables, created from upcycled materials.  Parades will occur Friday: 3:30PM; Saturday: 12:45PM and 5:15PM; and Sunday: 2:45PM.


Creative Opportunities

Bank of America Art Lab featuring the Art Center of Clemson

Since its introduction to festival programming in 2013, the Art Lab has quickly become a festival “must do” as it provides  DIYers an opportunity to flex their creative muscles under the instruction of local experts. Classes are free, and this year’s programming  lineup offers 22 different workshops, including wheel throwing, printmaking, needle felting, quilling, paper collage, and more.  Sign ups are live now at https://artisphere.org/exhibit/art-lab/.

David Zinn

David Zinn, illustrator and street artist, returns to Artisphere 2022 to surprise and delight patrons of all ages with his whimsical chalk creations. Using chalk and charcoal, Zinn integrates his temporary pieces into the local landscape. From Ann Arbor, MI (Zinn’s creative space) to Manhattan to Sweden, his loveable creatures have been featured in multiple cities worldwide. Zinn will also host a book signing for his new book, Chance Encounters: Temporary Chalk Art at MJudson on Thursday, May 5th from 5-7:30 p.m.


Interactive Exhibits

Returning to Artisphere 2022 are the Clemson University Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics (STEAM) Exhibit (featuring over a dozen interactive activities) and the Greenville Journal and Prisma Health Artists of the Upstate Juried Exhibition (spotlighting local artists). These special exhibits give  patrons a glimpse of artists at every stage of their career, from student to professional, and offer opportunities to  explore art as it intersects with modern day technology, health and life.

Wells Fargo Culinary Arts Cafe

The Greenville County School District Career Centers’ Culinary Program (Artisphere Culinary Arts Café 2017 Best in Show  Winner) returns to the festival, along with some of Greenville’s favorite restaurants, including The Burrow,  Persis Indian Grill, Society Sandwich Bar & Social Club and Barberitos.  Whether you crave tacos, samosa, or a hot chicken sandwich,  you’ll find your  happy medium at the Culinary Arts Café.


Live Music

WYFF 4 Broad Street Main Stage

This year’s music line-up hosts talented musicians from  Washington and Boston to Mancos, Colorado and Charleston and offers something for  everyone from R&B to Jazz, Indie to Americana and Funk to Rockabilly. Headlining acts include Aztec Sun, a Funk/Soul group from the Washington, DC and Ali McGuirk, a Soul/RB artist from Boston, MA. Artisphere will also present regional favorites and headliner The HIgh Divers (Charleston, SC), Jeff Thompson Trio (Asheville, NC), Brooks Dixon Band, Vilai Harrington and the Hamptones, and the Trapfire Brothers, all from Greenville, SC, among others. Check  out the full music line-up on www.artisphere.org/performing-arts.

The Furman University Performance Plaza featuring the Fred Collins Foundation Local Performing Arts Showcase

Returning this year is a full lineup of amazing performances by local performing arts groups, including Greenville Theatre, SC Children’s Theatre, and Centre Stage, as well as The Palmetto Statesmen, Vocal Matrix Chorus, and the Carolina Bronze Handbell Ensemble.  Those looking for an outdoor workout can enjoy a community yoga class Saturday morning led by Soul Yoga.  For the full schedule head to  https://artisphere.org/performing-arts-schedule/.

PNC Pop-up Street Stages

Scattered throughout the festival, these stages will entertain patrons of all ages!  With  performances by the Clemson Dholna Bollywood Dance Group, Dog Day Blue Jay,  and the Colorful Hat Circus & Variety, the pop-up street stages bring laughter, magic, and fun to the festival.  Find the full schedule here: https://artisphere.org/pop-up-stages/

“With 47 brand new artists and a whole host of exciting programs, both old and new, we are thrilled to welcome back Artisphere presented by TD Bank to its full scale,” stated Artisphere Board of Directors Chair David Beard. “This year’s combination of fine art and community engagement activities is the perfect way to celebrate Greenville’s dynamic arts and cultural community.”

Find your happy medium at Artisphere, presented by TD Bank, May 6-8, 2022. For more information, visit  www.artisphere.org.