Greenwood festival’s youth art show awards more than $1,500
From the Greenwood Index-Journal:
"The 2018 South Carolina Festival of Flowers Juried Youth Art Show highlights artistic endeavors of first through 12th-graders. It is on display in the Calhoun Mays reception hall at the Arts Center of Greenwood through June 8.
More than $1,500 in awards were presented Thursday during a reception and awards ceremony. Participating students, art teachers, family and friends attended.
'We celebrate and acknowledge your creative talent and your hard work,' said Anne Craig, Arts Center executive director."
Find out who received honors and more information
by reading the full story here.
UPDATE 5 June 2018, 10:24: The Index-Journal
issued a clarification to its story yesterday.
Photo by the Index-Journal.
City of Greenwood earns Cultural District status
The South Carolina Arts Commission has named Greenwood as the newest state-recognized cultural district. A cultural district is an easily identifiable geographic area with a concentration of arts facilities and assets that support cultural, artistic and economic activity. The cultural district designation was created by the S.C. General Assembly in 2014.
The City of Greenwood and The Arts Center of Greenwood worked with local leaders and Arts Commission staff to develop a map of cultural assets and a strategic plan for the district. City officials will use the cultural district designation to attract visitors and residents to downtown and promote the area as a hub of arts and culture. (Find out more about the Greenwood cultural district.)
“Thank you to the South Carolina Arts Commission for bestowing this honor on the City of Greenwood,” said Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams. “This designation recognizes the hard work over the last 14 years to implement the City Center Master Plan and grow Greenwood’s City Center as a cultural arts and entertainment hub for our six-county Upper Savannah Region.”
Anne Craig, director of The Arts Center of Greenwood, gives credit to local arts organizations for their role. “Along with the City Center Master Plan, the arts and cultural organizations have led the way in the revitalization of Uptown Greenwood, which has become more vibrant with year-round events, programs and festivals. The strong cultural activity and extensive city improvements have been the basis for growth in restaurants, retail and businesses. It is a formula that has worked well for Greenwood.”
Participation of community stakeholders is key, according to S.C. Arts Commission Executive Director Ken May. “Non-arts businesses and organizations are important pieces of a cultural district. A successful cultural district attracts creative enterprises, such as galleries and theatres, whose patrons want to dine out and shop, so nearby retail and other businesses benefit from that increased economic activity.”
The cultural district program was developed after reviewing successful programs in other states and gathering input from leaders representing several sectors, including economic development, tourism, local government and the arts.
Greenwood joins Beaufort, Bluffton, Columbia’s Congaree Vista, Florence, Lancaster, Rock Hill and Spartanburg as S.C. cities and areas that have earned cultural district status. Other states with similar cultural district programs include Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and Texas.
S.C. cities, towns and rural communities interested in exploring a cultural district designation are invited to contact their Arts Commission county coordinator or call (803) 734-8696. Complete guidelines are available at www.SouthCarolinaArts.com.
VELUX USA and Arts Center of Greenwood invite submissions for international art competition
VELUX, an international company that manufactures window units and sky lights, is sponsoring an art competition in observance of its 75th anniversary. VELUX USA, located in Greenwood, S.C., is partnering with the Arts Center of Greenwood to facilitate the regional competition. Emerging (ages 21-35) 2-dimensional artists who work in oils or acrylics and who are residents of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia are eligible to participate.
- Three artists will be chosen and submitted to the international committee
- From the three artists submitted, one will be chosen to represent VELUX USA
- That artist will be commissioned (paid) to produce an original piece using the theme of light and skylights
- This piece will become part of a 21-piece exhibition and collection that will travel internationally
- 12 of the 21 pieces will be chosen to be part of a VELUX calendar
Submission information:
- The program is open to emerging (ages 21-35) 2-dimensional artists who work in oils or acrylics
- For consideration, please submit a short artist statement, bio, CV and three to eight examples of current work in the form of high quality (300 dpi) digital images (jpg) on CD for review
- With submission, please include a letter naming a purchase price for an original piece you would produce if chosen to be the USA representative
- All submissions will be evaluated by local representatives from the Arts Center and from VELUX in consultation with several art critics
- All submissions must be received (not postmarked) on or before July 30
Read the complete submission guidelines (PDF):
Velux Packet (International Painting Competition) (3)
For more information, contact Anne Craig (864) 953-2461,
artscentergreenwood@gmail.com or Jennifer A. Smith (864) 953-2452,
jenlovesthearts@gmail.com
Mail submissions to:
The Arts Center
120 Main Street
Greenwood, SC 29646
Via: Arts Center of Greenwood
Call for entries: Festival of Flowers Juried Exhibition
Submission deadline is May 17.
The Arts Center of Greenwood invites artist submissions for the Festival of Flowers 2014 Annual Juried Show taking place June 2 - July 3 at the Federal Building in Greenwood. A reception will be held June 21 from 5 – 7 p.m., with awards announced at 6 p.m.

Anyone 18 years or older may compete. Only original works of art not shown previously at the Festival of Flowers Annual Juried Exhibit and created within the last three years are eligible. These works may be in any 2D or 3D media including painting, pastel, drawing, sculpture, pottery, photography, fiber, printmaking, weaving, basketry, graphics, wood, etc.
Awards:
- Best of Show - $1,000
- 2nd Place - $500
- 3rd Place - $300
- Merit Awards (1-3) - $100
- Arts Center Merit Award - $100
- Best of 3D - $400
The submission deadline is May 17; notification of acceptance will take place May 23-24.
Visit the
Greenwood Arts Center's website for complete details and to download the submission form, or contact Jennifer Smith at
jenlovesthearts@gmail.com or (864) 388-7800, for more information.
Via: Greenwood Arts Center
The link between the arts and the economy: spotlight on four communities
South Carolina Arts Commission staff presented "Cultural Arts as a Tool for Community and Economic Development" at the Fall 2013 meeting of the South Carolina Community Development Association, an association of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. This article in the February issue of Uptown, the MASC's newsletter, illustrates how four communities in South Carolina have used the arts to benefit community development.
As local officials continue to work toward making their hometowns thrive, some have started looking hard at the link between culture and the economy.
Why do we live where we live and why do we stay there?
A report released by the American Planning Association in 2011 entitled, “Economic Vitality: How the arts and culture sector catalyzes economic vitality,” outlines four key points to community development through the arts. This article uses South Carolina case studies to illustrate how the arts have enhanced local communities in South Carolina.
Keypoint #1:
Economic development is enhanced by concentrating creativity through both physical density and human capital. By locating firms, artists and cultural facilities together, a multiplier effect can result. Case study: The Salkahatchie Arts Initiative
This is the story of five counties that felt under-recognized: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Hampton. These counties make up the Salkahatchie region of the state.
Before I-95 opened up in 1968, this region had plenty of cars driving through when people were traveling up and down the Eastern Seaboard. After 1968, the majority of travelers never saw those towns. A visitor driving through this part of South Carolina today may be struck by the abundance of old abandoned hotels.
“This area was particularly hit by the fact that I-95 didn’t come through their counties,” says Susan DuPlessis of the South Carolina Arts Commission.
According to DuPlessis, by creating the Salkahatchie Arts Initiative, the local communities have mined their existing cultural and natural assets instead of creating something new. The communities are making the region a destination for tourists interested in the arts, heritage and nature-based tourism.
In 2006, the Salkahatchie Arts Center was created in Allendale. At the center, local artists sell their wares. More than 100 artists have sold almost $200,000 worth of items to date.
Also, there is a storytelling element, according to DuPlessis. Local artists created “Salk Stew,” which is a play with music and stories that is updated annually.
Here is an excerpt of a review of “Salk Stew” from an issue of the Hampton County Guardian.
Sure, everybody loves a good classic community theater number like The Sound of Music, but this is a one-of-a-kind classic that you can’t get anywhere else: a play based on true stories from real people in our community, stories that are acted out on the historic planks of the Palmetto Theater by local actors. As far as community theater goes, it doesn’t get any better than that.
“These artistic endeavors resonate with local residents about who they are and what they have,” DuPlessis said. “These endeavors are part of their authenticity,” and they are improving the economy and quality of life in the Salkehatchie Region.
Keypoint #2:
The recognition of a community’s arts and culture assets (and the marketing of them) is an important element of economic development. Creatively acknowledging and marketing community assets can attract a strong workforce and successful firms, as well as help sustain a positive quality of life. Case study: Hub City Writers Project, Spartanburg
“Writers are very interested in a sense of place,” says Betsy Teter, executive director of the Hub City Writers Project.
In 1995, a small group of writers in Spartanburg asked themselves what they could do to improve their city.
“We created some books that celebrated what was uniquely Spartanburg. To date, we have published more than 500 writers and sold more than 100,000 books,” she says.
In 2006, Hub City created an alternative arts initiative called HUB-BUB in a partnership with the City of Spartanburg. Headquartered in a former Nash Rambler car dealership downtown, HUB-BUB offers more than 100 nights a year of art, culture and entertainment, as well as a nationally recognized artists-in-residence program. The mission of that spin-off organization is to build community through dynamic arts and ideas in downtown Spartanburg. The City of Spartanburg provides $120,000 in funding each year to HUB-BUB.
Right: HUB-BUB in Spartanburg offers more than 100 nights a year of art, culture and entertainment.
In 2010, the Hub City Writers Project converted an 83-year-old, 5,000 square-foot Masonic temple in downtown Spartanburg into an independent bookstore, coffee shop and a bakery.
“The Hub City Writers Project is at the center of our creative energy in our community in a unique and important way,” said Bill Barnet, Spartanburg mayor at the time of the project’s launch. “From the energy of that group comes a great deal of pride,” he added.
Keypoint #3:
Arts and cultural activities can draw crowds from within and around the community. Increasing the number of visitors as well as enhancing resident participation helps build economic and social capital. Case study: SC Jazz Festival, Cheraw
Cheraw is an older, rural town with a population of 6,000.
Many South Carolinians don’t know that Cheraw is the birthplace of jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. After a Ken Burns PBS special about Gillespie aired in 2001, town officials decided to seize the moment and create a jazz festival honoring him.
“We had already built a statue and created a park in his honor,” said Phil Powell, tourism director for the Town of Cheraw. “But we wanted to take this opportunity to educate our community about the arts.”
According to Rusty Sox at the South Carolina Arts Commission, planning for the South Carolina Jazz Festival began in 2005 with the first festival held the next year. It was and still is organized by a committee of local residents and staffed by town employees and volunteers. In the second and third years, they received a Cultural Tourism Grant from the S.C. Arts Commission to help with marketing.
Right: Beginning in 2006, the South Carolina Jazz Festival is held each year in Cheraw
Powell encourages other municipalities to not try to do too much out-of-the-gate when planning festivals for their town. “Jazz works well in hot, local, out-of-the-way places, so it worked well here,” he says.
Lindsay Bennett, who partnered with town officials on the jazz festival and is the executive director of the Cheraw Arts Commission, stressed the importance of getting community buy in. “Town of Cheraw officials view the event as a cultural tourism experience and continue to provide financial support,” she added.
Keypoint #4: Planners can make deliberate connections between the arts and culture sector and other sectors, such as tourism and manufacturing, to improve economic outcomes by capitalizing on local assets. Case study: Emerald Triangle, Greenwood
“We think we’re the perfect example of how investing in the arts brings about community development,” explained Anne Craig, executive director of the Arts Center of Greenwood. According to Craig, the Emerald Triangle in Greenwood came to fruition by having all the pieces fall into place.
As with many South Carolina cities, Greenwood’s downtown was saturated with office space causing many people to feel like the sidewalks rolled up at 5 p.m.
In 2003, two important things happened. Greenwood officials drafted a master plan for a “clearly defined city center and outdoor gathering space.” A major aspect of the plan was to enhance the city’s cultural assets to bring people back downtown.
From the plan, a vision for the Emerald Triangle emerged involving three major cultural institutions in downtown Greenwood: the Arts Council of Greenwood County, the Greenwood Community Theatre and the Greenwood Museum. Today, the Emerald Triangle has become a nine-acre triangular shaped area in the heart of Greenwood’s downtown business district.
The second important thing that happened in 2003 was the closing of a 30,000 square-foot historic federal building, which housed an old courthouse and post office. A public/private partnership, created by the Greenwood Partnership Alliance, the Self Family Foundation, the Arts Council of Greenwood County and the Greenwood City Council, purchased and renovated the historic federal building.
[caption id="attachment_11355" align="alignnone" width="280"]
Greenwood Federal Building[/caption]
Over the years, the three cultural institutions have experienced a huge increase in tourists. In 2010, the groups attracted about 8,000 tourists. In 2012, the figure rose to more than 18,000.
[caption id="attachment_11368" align="alignnone" width="280"]
Greenwood Tourism Report[/caption]
“We had a beautiful building, an excellent leadership team, and a city government with a vision,” concluded Craig. “We had the right people at the right time.”
Via: Municipal Association of South Carolina
Call for entries: SC Festival of Flowers juried art show
Deadline for digital entry: May 8, 2013
Artists are invited to submit entries for the juried art show taking place at the Arts Center of Greenwood during the 2013 Festival of Flowers. Exhibition dates are June 3 through July 12. The reception and awards ceremony takes place on June 22 from 5 - 7 p.m. with awards announced at 6 p.m. Up to $2,500 in monetary awards will be given.
The fee to enter is $30 for one or two works. Any medium is accepted and there are no size restrictions. The works are not required to be floral in content. Entry deadline is May 8.
This year's featured juror is Wim Roefs, owner of the if ART Gallery in Columbia, South Carolina. Roefs is an independent curator, art consultant and exhibition designer. He is also the chairman of the board for Columbia's 701 Center for Contemporary Art.
Review the entry form for complete eligibility requirements and guidelines.
Via: Arts Center of Greenwood
Rare opportunity to view both parts of State Art Collection exhibition
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For nearly three weeks, both installments of the largest traveling exhibition of State Art Collection work will be on display at the same time. Contemporary Conversations Part II is on view now through Jan. 31 at the Arts Center of Greenwood. Contemporary Conversations Part I runs Jan. 14 - Feb. 6 at three locations in Clemson: The Arts Center, and Clemson University's Lee Gallery and the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.
This is the first time that both parts of Contemporary Conversations have been "on the road" simultaneously.
Curated by Eleanor Heartney, author and contributing editor to Art in America and Artpress, Contemporary Conversations is composed of 118 works by 95 contemporary South Carolina artists. The exhibition is designed to suggest both the quality and diversity of the state's cultural heritage and includes everything from hard-edge geometric abstraction to surrealist-tinged dreamscapes. Works are inspired by social issues, memory, local and national history, imagination, art of the past and aesthetic theory. Together these works reflect the many voices and diverse concerns of South Carolina artists.
Established in 1967 as one of the first programs of the South Carolina Arts Commission, the State Art Collection is composed of 448 works in a variety of media and styles produced by 277 artists. Visit the South Carolina Arts Commission's website to preview the Contemporary Conversations gallery of work and the list of artists, and read more about the State Art Collection.
Want to bring the State Art Collection to your community? Contact Harriett Green at (803) 734-8696. In addition to Contemporary Conversations, two additional traveling exhibitions are available: The African American Voice and Points of Departure: Vessel Forms from the State Art Collection.
State Art Collection travels to Greenwood
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The Arts Center of Greenwood will exhibit "The State Art Collection: Contemporary Conversations II" from Dec. 3, 2012 through Jan. 31, 2013. Curated by Eleanor Heartney, author and contributing editor to Art in America and Artpress, Contemporary Conversations is composed of 118 works by 95 contemporary South Carolina artists. The exhibition is designed to suggest both the quality and diversity of the state's cultural heritage and includes everything from hard-edge geometric abstraction to surrealist tinged dreamscapes. Works are inspired by social issues, memory, local and national history, imagination, art of the past and aesthetic theory. Together they reflect the many voices and diverse concerns of South Carolina artists.
Preview the gallery of work and the list of artists in Contemporary Conversations, and read more about the South Carolina Arts Commission's State Art Collection.