Feature Articles

September Issue 2002

Sumter, South Carolina Offers Fourth Accessibility Art Project

In its fourth exciting year, the Accessibility Art Project has come to be seen as one of the premiere art events in the Southeast. Artists have come to recognize this event as one of "international importance" and community support has made it a block party cum art festival of major proportions.

Accessibility, which takes place from Sept. 28 through Oct. 25, 2002, is an exhibition of high quality artwork presented in intriguing storefronts and tucked away sites in historical downtown Sumter, SC. This unique exhibition highlights site-sensitive artworks (traditional artwork in non-traditional locations) plus engaging related activities: performance art, interactive art, and educational opportunities including lectures, discussions and (newly planned for this year's event) guided walking tours of the venues.

Sponsored in part by the Sumter County Cultural Commission, The Sumter Gallery of Art, The City of Sumter and the South Carolina Arts Commission, Accessibility roars into its fourth year riding a wave of renewed interest in Sumter's growing art scene. The project is designed to enhance ongoing interaction between artists and the local community and by this measure alone, it has been a stunning success.

Accessibility showcases the work of more than twenty major artists from South Carolina and throughout the Southeast. The ten featured artists include: Gary Keown, Barry Jones, Rocky Lewicky, Linda McCune, Janet Orselli, Scotty Peek, Leslie Rech, Billy Renkl, Rene Roulier, and Joe Milutus. Each of these artists will be inviting another artists to participate. Chris Robinson, well-known professor of art at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, is coordinating the event again this year.

The family-oriented opening event, "Elvis on Parade" takes place on Main Street in downtown Sumter on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 6-10pm. Elvis impersonators of all shapes and sizes will converge on the downtown area to entertain and mix with the crowds. The "Flying Elvises" skydivers are schedule to drop in and music and food will abound. Main Street will be blocked off for this opening night reception.

Planned events include: A tour of the installation sites and an opportunity to learn about the artists and their work; moderated discussion groups; docents on site during specified times. For an update on activities, check online at:
(www.duffodil.com/Accessibility).

For more information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings; in Sumter contact: Martha Greenway at 803/436-2260 and e-mail at (patriot_hall@sumtercountysc.org); Peggy Chilcutt at 803/778-1400 and e-mail at (pegchilcutt@yahoo.com); Booth Chilcutt at 803/778-1400 and e-mail at (sumterart@yahoo.com); in Columbia contact: Chris Robinson at 803/777-5233 and e-mail at (CTR@SC.edu).

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