Artisphere receives more than 1,000 applications for 2016 show
The 12th annual Artisphere presented by TD Bank received an unprecedented 1,091 artist applications for the 2016 event — a 10 percent increase over last year’s applications. Show organizers attribute the rise in applications to an increased awareness of Greenville’s art-loving community as well as the festival’s track record for garnering meaningful sales for participating artists; 2015 exhibiting artists reported average sales of $7,300. This year’s jury review required an additional day to review all applicants.
“Artists apply to be considered in one of 17 different medium categories such as painting, sculpture, jewelry and glass,” stated Tod Tappert, Artisphere juror and vice president of the board of directors. “Each artist submits four images of their work and one image of their display booth. The jury panel scores all applicants, and the top scoring artists in each medium category are invited to exhibit at the show.”
The list of participating artists will be announced in early 2016.
This year’s panel included Greg Colleton, director of operations, Redux Contemporary Art Center, (Charleston, S.C.); P. A. Kessler, watercolor painter and Artisphere 2015 third place award winner (Hilton Head Island, S.C.); Jaydan Moore, artist in residence, Penland School of Craft (Penland, N.C.); Tod Tappert, painter and vice president for the Artisphere board of directors; and Valerie Zimany, assistant professor of art, Clemson University (Clemson, S.C).
Reported average artist sales earned the festival a spot on Art Fair Sourcebook’s Top 10 Fine Art Shows list three years in a row, and Artisphere organizers hope the 2016 sales will push the show higher in the rankings. “It is our goal to break into the Top 5,” stated board of directors president Marion Crawford. “With Greenville’s growing appreciation for original artwork and support from partners like TD Bank, we feel confident we can reach our goal.”
“TD Bank strives to support organizations that create a better place to live and work, and we believe that the arts play a vital role in sustaining Greenville’s vibrant quality of life,” said Cal Hurst, regional vice president, TD Bank. “TD is pleased to support Artisphere as its presenting sponsor for the 12th consecutive year and looks forward to seeing the positive results the festival continues to have on our community’s economic development.“
Artisphere is scheduled for May 13-15, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. For more information, visit www.artisphere.org.
Image: work by Megan Clark, 2015 Artisphere artist
Via: Artisphere