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Call for exhibition proposals in North Charleston

Park Circle Gallery wants to show your art

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Established and emerging professional visual artists are invited to apply individually or with a group to exhibit at the Park Circle Gallery.

The gallery aims to showcase artwork by regional and local artists in a variety of subjects and media. The city of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department manages the exhibitions in the space, which are rotated on a monthly basis and may feature two or more artists concurrently. Exhibits are programmed one year in advance according to fiscal year. A Review Panel will convene in December 2021 to evaluate and select exhibits for July 2022-June 2023. There is no fee to apply. Artists must apply online at http://northcharlestonculturalartsdepartment.slideroom.com by Tuesday, November 30, 2021, in order for their exhibition proposal to be considered. Park Circle Gallery (PCG), formerly known as the Olde Village Community Building, is North Charleston’s only art gallery. It is located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in the bustling Park Circle neighborhood, adjacent to several restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops. Exhibits are open to the public Wednesday-Saturday and admission is free. Some details:
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Only original, two-dimensional or three-dimensional pieces will be considered.
  • Submission requirements include an artist statement, resume and exhibition history, exhibition concept, and five quality digital images that portray the quality and style of the artists’ work.
For additional information about PCG and other exhibition opportunities or to learn more about programs and services offered by the city of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit the Arts & Culture section of the city’s website at northcharleston.org, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or call 843.740.5854.

Jason Rapp

North Charleston hiring visual arts coordinator

'Hands-on job' installing and curating exhibitions

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until filled

The city of North Charleston is looking for someone to fill a pending vacancy as its visual arts coordinator.

In the general statement about the position, it's noted that "under occasional supervision, assists in planning, coordinating, promoting, and supervising programs, activities, and events of the cultural arts department. Performs related administrative and supervisory work as required. Reports to the director of cultural arts." A bachelor's degree in the cultural arts, arts administration, public or business administration, public relations, marketing or other relevant field is required, to be supplemented by 2-3 years of experience in arts programming and administration or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  1. The posting is listed at this link.
  2. The full job description is here.
  3. The link to apply is here.

Jason Rapp

Annual North Charleston Arts Fest set for April 28-May 2

Annual festival returns with in person, virtual programming

The annual North Charleston Arts Fest is just weeks away, set to take place April 28-May 2.

The celebration of arts and culture returns for its 38th year after being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting the talents of regional and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literature, the event features performances, activities, and exhibits presented in a variety of venues throughout the city of North Charleston. Recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event in both 2008 and 2018, the North Charleston Arts Fest includes concerts ranging from classical to contemporary, theatre presentations, dance performances, children’s programs, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, and more. With budget and health concerns lingering as a result of the pandemic, this year’s programming won’t appear as robust as in years past (events such as the World Art Expo at Riverfront Park and Children’s Festival will not take place in 2021), but the City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department staff has worked hard to make this year’s North Charleston Arts Fest both entertaining and safe. All patrons are reminded to wear a face covering and practice social distancing when attending events and exhibitions in person, and virtual programming was added to this year’s festival schedule. The majority of festival events are free. Complete details about the five-day event are available at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

Visual Arts

Exhibit Hall A at the Charleston Area Convention Center will once again host the Arts Fest’s Judged Art & Photography, South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft, and Tri-County Youth Art & High School Sculpture exhibitions during the entire run of the Arts Fest. Viewing hours are Wednesday, April 28, 6-8 p.m. (opening celebration); Thursday-Saturday, April 29-May 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and finally the Exhibition Encore on Sunday, May 2, from noon-5 p.m. serves as a closing reception and celebration, allowing patrons to view the artwork in a festive atmosphere and make final decisions on purchases. In addition to the vast array of artwork on display, the event offers musical entertainment, live art demonstrations, and complimentary “bites and bubbles” from 2-5 p.m. Other visual art highlights include "Loose Parts," a solo exhibit at Park Circle Gallery featuring new paintings by the Arts Fest’s poster design competition winner Christine Bush Roman, the 15th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition installed at North Charleston Riverfront Park, and the 14th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition: SANKOFA on display at North Charleston City Hall. Each of these exhibitions will remain on view well after the festival concludes on May 2.

Theatre, Music, and Dance

Theatre, music, and dance offerings during this year’s Arts Fest run the gamut. Concerts range from bossa nova and bluegrass, to opera and Motown, and take place in a variety of venues, from wine bars and pubs to chapels and parks. A special Dance Showcase on the grounds of the Felix Davis Community Center will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. Much like the popular dance stage at the Arts Fest’s World Art Expo, the event highlights traditional, folk, and modern dances of cultures from around the world by local performers in vibrant costumes. Lady in White Productions will offer a three-night run of "Real Woman Blues" from Friday, April 30, through Sunday, May 2. The original play, written and directed by local artist Samelia Adams, takes audiences on a sisterhood journey and explores the many facets of being a woman and the ups and downs that come with life, such as love, family, broken relationships, friendships, domestic violence, self-esteem, and self-worth. The production also features new music written by the band Season, under the direction of Duane Branch. Several children’s programs will be offered virtually through a partnership with Charleston County Public Library. And, of course, the performing and visual arts come together at the Arts Fest Arty Block Party on Friday, April 30, from 5-8:30 p.m. on East Montague Avenue. The socially distanced street market features vendor booths with local artists, makers, and arts-related businesses and organizations, live music by The Louie D. Project and Amani Smith & the Give Thanks Band, along with roving entertainers.
Complete information on all 2021 North Charleston Arts Fest offerings and participation opportunities is available at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. Applications are currently being accepted for vendor space at the Arty Block Party. Entry instructions for the Festival’s Judged Fine Art Exhibition, Judged Photography Exhibition, Tri-County Youth Art Exhibition, and Tri-County High School Sculpture Exhibition, as well as volunteer sign-up forms are also available. Forms can be downloaded at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply.

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Uncommon threads coming to Park Circle Gallery

A Thread Runs Through It opens April 2

The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that works by Art Quilters of the Lowcountry will be on display at Park Circle Gallery from April 2-24, 2021. The group exhibition is free and open to the public.

The Art Quilters of the Lowcountry is a group of five award-winning fiber artists who share a passion for creating art using fabric and thread. Their work ranges from large to small and from abstract to realistic, using fabric, thread, and quilting techniques to create the illusion of 3-dimensional art. This group of artists exhibits monthly at the Hilton Head Island Art League at Ats Center at Shelter Cove on Hilton Head Island. The artists have been selected individually for many juried quilt and art shows. "A Thread Runs Through It" features fiber pieces that showcase the individual interests and talents of the Art Quilters of the Lowcountry. Ron Hodge creates his art using various fabrics, but there is always one constant – his precision piecing and bead work. Donna Stankiewicz paints her fabric with various dyes and then embellishes with applique and thread painting. Ro Morrissey uses strips of fabric along with thread painting to create painterly images of seascapes and landscapes. Peg Weschke creates fiber collages to realistically portray Lowcountry scenes, and Jody Wigton uses color and improvisational piecing to create beautiful abstract art. The artists’ five unique styles together create an interesting and eclectic fiber art show. To learn more about the Quilters, visit their website at www.artquiltersofthelowcountry.com.
The Park Circle Gallery is located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in North Charleston, in what was formerly known as the Olde Village Community Building. Admission is free and free street parking is available on Jenkins Avenue in front of the gallery, as well as on the adjacent streets and in parking lots close by. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and Noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays. In compliance with safety recommendations from the CDC and SCDHEC, gallery capacity is currently limited to 10 people at a time. Staff and all visitors must wear a mask while they are in the gallery and practice social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry. For more information about PCG, call 843.637.3565 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org. For information on other Cultural Arts programs and artist opportunities, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website at www.northcharleston.org.

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2021 North Charleston Arts Fest is a ‘go’

Artists of all disciplines sought to perform or present

Application deadline: Tuesday, December 15, 2020

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is seeking artists in music, theatre, dance, visual art, media art, and literature to participate in the 2021 North Charleston Arts Fest to be held April 28-May 2 at various venues throughout North Charleston.

[caption id="attachment_45731" align="alignright" width="225"] Click to enlarge.[/caption] Regional and local artists and community organizations are welcome to submit an application to perform on stage or present their talents through programs such as exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and more.
  • The application can be accessed at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply.
  • There is NO fee to apply.
  • Agents submitting applications on behalf of two or more acts should contact the Cultural Arts Department at 843.740.5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org for special application instructions.
  • Applications will be accepted through the online submission platform until midnight on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
  • Artists in need of assistance with any part of the application process may contact the Cultural Arts Department to schedule a one-on-one meeting, which can be conducted over the phone, virtually, or in person.
The Arts Fest review panel will select applicants from all art disciplines to create a mix of free and ticketed events that will work well in the available venues and are geared to meet the interests of a cross-section of ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Proposals for new concepts or programs are encouraged.
The North Charleston Arts Fest is an annual five-day celebration of the arts, offering an array of events and activities such as concerts, theatre presentations, exhibitions and installations, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, and more, throughout the City of North Charleston. The festival was cancelled in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so will once again be presented as the 38th annual event in 2021. All programs and activities will be presented with COVID-19 safety measures in place (face coverings, social distancing, etc.). Because of restrictions on large gatherings, the World Art Expo at Riverfront Park and Children's Festival will not be part of the festival schedule in 2021.
For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest and other participation opportunities visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com or contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843.740.5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

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Call for exhibition proposals for Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston

Individual or group options

Application deadline: Monday, November 30, 2020

Established and emerging professional visual artists are invited to apply individually or with a group to exhibit at the Park Circle Gallery.

[caption id="attachment_34666" align="alignright" width="251"] The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.[/caption] The gallery aims to showcase artwork by regional and local artists in a variety of subjects and media. The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department manages the exhibitions in the space, which are rotated on a monthly basis and may feature two or more artists concurrently. Exhibits are programmed one year in advance according to fiscal year. A review panel will convene in December 2020 to evaluate and select exhibits for July 2021-June 2022. There is no fee to apply. Artists must apply online at www.northcharlestonculturalartsdepartment.slideroom.com by Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 in order for their exhibition proposal to be considered. Park Circle Gallery (PCG), formerly known as the Olde Village Community Building, is located at 4820 Jenkins Ave. in the bustling Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston, adjacent to several restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops. Exhibits are open to the public Tuesday-Saturday and admission is free. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Only original, two-dimensional or three-dimensional pieces will be considered. Submission requirements include an artist statement, resume and exhibition history, exhibition concept, and five quality digital images that portray the quality and style of the artists’ work. For additional information about PCG and other exhibition opportunities or to learn more about programs and services offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website at northcharleston.org, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or call 843.740.5854.

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North Charleston Arts Fest reveals 2020 design competition winner

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce Christine Bush Roman of Johns Island as the winner of the 2020 North Charleston Arts Fest Poster Design Competition. [caption id="attachment_44150" align="alignright" width="150"]Thumbnail version of "Oak Circus" by Christine Bush Roman. "Oak Circus" by Christine Bush Roman. Click image to enlarge.[/caption] As the winner of the statewide contest, Bush Roman’s mixed media painting, titled "Oak Circus," will be used to promote the 2020 North Charleston Arts Fest, taking place April 29-May 3. In addition, the artist was awarded a $500 cash prize and the piece has become part of the City of North Charleston’s Public Art Collection. "Oak Circus" was one of 75 entries by artists from 17 cities across South Carolina that were submitted for consideration for the 2020 North Charleston Arts Fest Poster Design Competition. Christine created the painting specifically for the Arts Fest using acrylic, ink, pastel, and fabric. “When beginning this piece, I knew I wanted to illustrate the vibrancy and emotion of all kinds of creators coming together to share their work,” Roman said. “I began the painting with the simplified image of an oak tree spreading its branches because the oak is such a well-known visual for the Lowcountry. The tree is also an iconic symbol across many cultures of growth, transformation, unity, and enlightenment. I wanted all the other elements of the painting to react to the tree. Setting the tone of celebration, the colors and rhythm hint at all of the different art forms highlighted during the North Charleston Arts Fest.” Most often inspired by ideas of our perception of self, her colorful and busy paintings reflect a compressed narrative of an ever-changing personality; acting as illustrations of an inner story full of ups and downs, constant change, and growth. Her works are about how we are constantly being shaped by where we live, people we know, and major life events. Christine currently creates in her home studio in Johns Island, SC, and instructs art classes for One HEART Connection and Art in the Park Art Lab, both in Charleston. To learn more about the artist, visit ChristineBushRoman.com. A collection of Bush Roman’s mixed media paintings, including her winning piece, "Oak Circus," will be on display at the North Charleston City Gallery throughout May 2020. The gallery is located within the Charleston Area Convention Center at 5001 Coliseum Dr. in North Charleston. Admission and parking are free. The public is invited to meet the artist at the gallery during the North Charleston Arts Fest Opening Celebration & Artist Reception on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. T-shirts and posters featuring the winning design will be available for purchase during the festival.

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest, other competition and exhibition opportunities, or festival sponsorship, on-site marketing opportunities, and program booklet ad placement, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 843.740.5854, email culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.

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Just getting some ‘AIR’

Notable arts organizations announce artists-in-residents 

North Charleston

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is proud to announce the appointment of Katherine Hester as artist-in-residence (AIR) for FY2019/20. The city’s AIR serves as a key resource for the department’s outreach programs, especially in the area of art instruction. Katherine will share her unique skills, talents, and experiences by providing residencies and workshops to public schools, seniors, and various community groups in North Charleston through June 2020. Hester is a local artist working in oil and mixed media. She paints outdoors, onsite when painting landscapes in order to capture the changing light of the Lowcountry. Katherine also enjoys creating portraits, working in mixed media in order to put a modern twist to the classic genre. She is a Lowcountry native and graduate of the College of Charleston. She holds a master’s in education and worked as a studio art, art history, and science teacher before leaving the classroom in order to pursue her painting career full time. She's been represented by galleries in Charleston and exhibited her work throughout the region. Hester holds numerous awards and participates in the annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition each spring. As North Charleston’s Artist-in-Residence, Katherine will offer instruction in painting and drawing. The North Charleston City Gallery will host an exhibition of Katherine’s work throughout December 2019 and January 2020. The gallery is located within the Charleston Area Convention Center (5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston). School liaisons, arts teachers, and the general public are invited to meet the artist at a free gallery reception on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, from 5-7 p.m.

Spartanburg

HUB-BUB, a division of Chapman Cultural Center, announced artists-in-Residence who will begin their 2019/2020 terms in September. The purpose of the HUB-BUB artist-in-residence program is to continue to build a vibrant and healthy artistic community through opportunities for cultural enrichment.

Masimba Hwati (left) is a mixed media artist living and working in Zimbabwe; Cape Town, South Africa; and Detroit. His work explores the transformation of indigenous knowledge systems and cultural resistance. He juxtaposes cultural objects and symbols with ephemeral mainstream symbols. His work is preoccupied with contemporary and historical themes working with found objects performance and sound he creates antennas, gadgets of memory and experiences. It has been shown in Germany, France, Canada, London, Australia,southern Africa, and in the U.S. In 2015 he represented Zimbabwe at the 56th edition of the Venice Biennale in Italy. Hwati has conducted research in Cape Town, Avignon, Nova Scotia , and Detroit.

Shuk Han Lui (right) is a multidisciplinary artist who works predominantly in mixed-media paintings and artist’s books. Her practice takes a meditative focus and explores relationships between drawing, painting, piano, and the use of space. She is the recipient of several research grants and fellowships, including the Don Bachardy Fellowship, the Wilson Center Graduate Research Award, and the Looney Foundation Graduate Fellowship. Lui earned her Master of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia.

Theatre for children this summer in North Charleston

First of two presentations is June 21

The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to offer the first of two Summer Children’s Theatre presentations on Friday, June 21, 2019, featuring Gravity: It’s Not a Word; It’s the Laws!, presented by Good Clean Fun. The interactive, STEAM learning based program is for all ages and features two showings at two different locations. Daycares, community groups, families, and individuals are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. showing at Northwoods Park and Recreation Center at 8348 Greenridge Rd. and/or the 2 p.m. showing at Danny Jones Recreation Center at 1455 Monitor St. in North Charleston. Tickets are $2 per child with accompanying adults admitted at no charge. Parking is free. Good Clean Fun is led by Deena Frooman, an award-winning event producer and 25-year veteran of festivals, corporate entertainment, and tv/film production, who specializes in providing interactive amusement for children. As purveyors of play, Good Clean Fun is dedicated to “recretainment,” a combination of recreation and entertainment. Their mission is to bring STEAM play to the people using juggling and manipulation of objects as the core for development. Their hands-on assemblies and workshops can invoke a sense of belonging for audiences, both interpersonally and intrapersonally. Gravity: It’s Not a Word; It’s the Laws is a program that incorporates a combination of STEAM-related vocabulary and skills focused on Newton’s Laws, Force of Motion, velocity, inertia, other scientific information, self-confidence, critical thinking, problem solving, and more. To learn more, visit www.goodcleanfun.simpl.com. Gravity: It’s Not a Word; It’s the Laws! is presented as part of a Summer Children’s Theatre Series, which also includes an anti-bullying and self-esteem enhancing program by TiffanyJ featuring Super Beauty on Friday, July 19, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Groups of 10 or more are asked to reserve space in advance. Seats fill up fast, so reserve early by calling the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at 843.740.5854. For reservation forms, directions, or information on additional programs and events, visit the Arts & Culture section of NorthCharleston.org.

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City of North Charleston seeks new Artist-in-Residence

One visual artist can serve city, schools

Application deadline: 5 p.m. ET, Friday, June 28, 2019
Each fiscal year the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department contracts a professional visual artist to serve as the city’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR). The department is currently seeking to fill the position for fiscal year 2019/20. At the written request of art teachers and school liaisons, the AIR will conduct visual art residencies at North Charleston schools throughout the 2019/20 school year. Additional workshops and demos will be coordinated at the request of community groups, as well as during the 2020 North Charleston Arts Fest. The AIR will also conduct a workshop for the department’s monthly Creative Arts Workshop program and offer instruction for summer arts camps in June 2020. In addition, the AIR will present an exhibition of his/her work at the North Charleston City Gallery from December 2019 through January 2020. Additional exhibition opportunities are available during the North Charleston Arts Fest in May. Past artists who served in the position include:
  • Quintin Chaplin (2018/19),
  • Camela Guevara (2017/18),
  • Caroline M. Self (2016/17),
  • Daryle Halbert (2015/16),
  • Alexandra Roberts (2014/15),
  • Charlynn Knight (2013/14),
  • Kristy Bishop (2012/13),
  • Lori Starnes Isom (2011/12),
  • Deborah Meyer (2010/11),
  • and Robert Maniscalco (2009/10).
Rate of pay for this part-time, contracted position is $25 an hour for up to 300 hours completed from August 2019 through June 2020. Program supplies are provided. A background check is required. Interested artists should submit quality photographs or digital images of their work along with a current résumé or CV reflecting their exhibition and teaching experience by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2019. Application materials may be emailed to kyeadon@northcharleston.org or mailed to the attention of Krystal Yeadon at City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, PO Box 190016, North Charleston, SC, 29419-9016. For more information about the Artist-in-Residence program, or the department’s other programs, exhibits, and events, visit the Arts & Culture section of the city’s website at www.northcharleston.org or call 843.740.5854.

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