Join the new Certified SC Arts and AgriCulture program!
The South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched the Certified South Carolina Arts and AgriCulture program to create awareness about the links between arts and agriculture and how those connections contribute to our economy and quality of life.
Program participants are granted rights to use the Certified SC Grown® logo to make it easy for customers to identify South Carolina art associated with the state's agricultural present or past.
Certified SC Arts and AgriCulture membership is free and open to South Carolina artists, nonprofit and for-profit arts-based businesses and arts-related events. To qualify, an applicant must be:
- a visual, craft, performing, literary, or film/media artist; or
- a nonprofit or for-profit organization or business that represents, sells, presents, or promotes works of art as a majority of its business; or
- a time-limited performance, exhibition, festival, etc., that presents, sells, or promotes a majority of artworks.
In addition:
- the materials for artwork must be made of South Carolina agricultural products either cultivated or naturally occurring, or
- the subject matter for the artwork must depict or suggest South Carolina agriculture or forestry themes, or
- the creative form for the artwork must represent South Carolina agricultural heritage or traditions associated with agriculture and forestry.
The town of Belton's
Heritage Days at the Depot, held in October, was the first SC Certified Arts and AgriCulture event under the new partnership program.
For more information about the Arts and AgriCulture program or to apply for a membership, contact
Milly Hough, (803) 734.8698, or
Ansley Turnblad, (803) 734-2210.
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Millie Chaplin explains the functional and decorative uses of gourds during Belton's Heritage Days at the Depot.[/caption]
Belton Heritage Days first Certified S.C. Arts and AgriCulture event
Agricultural history and traditional arts join hands at the eighth annual Heritage Days at the Depot in Belton on Oct. 6. Hosted by the Belton Area Museum Association on the grounds of the historic train depot, Heritage Days promotes the traditional arts and skills from South Carolina’s cultural past by showcasing the talents of folk artists, heritage artisans and historical interpreters.
Heritage Days is the first event to be held as part of the newly established Certified S.C. Arts and AgriCulture program. A partnership of the S.C. Department of Agriculture and the S.C. Arts Commission, Arts and Agriculture is designed to enhance the Certified S.C. brand and bring awareness to the importance of the arts and agriculture to South Carolina's economy and to the quality of life and cultural well-being of the people of the state. The program is a salute to those who not only cultivate ideas through their artistic ability but also to those who cultivate and nurture the land through their ability to grow food, fiber and fuel.
Heritage Days features presentations of living traditions by artisans, including two recipients of the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award – Gullah doll maker Jeanette Gaillard-Lee and chair caner Willie Van Brailey. Other artisans include indigo dyer Renee Gillespie, turkey call maker Bob Harwell, gourd artist Millie Chaplin, monument carver David Gillespie and primitive skills/fire maker Bob Perry.
Artists, nonprofit and for-profit arts-based businesses and arts-related events may apply for membership in the Arts and AgriCulture program. To qualify, the applicant must be either be
- a visual, craft, performing, literary or film/media artist; or
- a nonprofit or for-profit organization or business that represents, sells, presents or promotes a majority of artworks; or
- a time-limited performance, exhibition, festival, etc., that presents, sells or promotes a majority of artworks.
Additional criteria:
- artwork materials must be made of S.C. agricultural products either cultivated or naturally occurring; or
- the artwork subject matter must depict or suggest S.C. agriculture or forestry themes; or
- the creative form for the artwork must represent S.C. agricultural heritage or traditions associated with agriculture and forestry.
Find out how to apply for the
Certified S.C. Arts and Agriculture program on the S.C. Department of Agricultural's website. For additional information contact
Ansley Turnblad, (803) 734-2210.
Read more about
Heritage Days at the Depot or call Allison Darby, (864) 958-5264 for additional information.
Photo above: Monument carver David Gillespie
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Jeanette Gaillard-Lee[/caption]