November Issue 2006
Commentary
by Tom Starland
The Other Folks
Last month we introduced you to the Commissioners of the SC Arts
Commission. This month we though we'd introduce you to their brothers/sisters
in arms - the board of the SC Arts Foundation.
The South Carolina Arts Foundation
Board of Directors for 2006 are:
Jennifer M. Whittle (Greenville - President); Patrick R. VanHuss
(Hopkins - Vice President); Michel Moore (Columbia - Treasurer);
Patricia E. Wilson (Columbia - Immediate Past President); Beryl
Dakers (Columbia); Chandra J. Foster (Fort Mill); Caroline Freeman
(Columbia); Helen W. Hughes (Greenville); Beryl Jaffe (Columbia);
Beverly Kaplan (Greenville); Sally Lyles (Columbia); Lorin Palmer
(Sumter); Norma Palms (Charleston); Ada Jane Setzler (West Columbia);
Donna I. Sorensen (Columbia); Dona M. Smith (Columbia); Linda
C. Stern (Columbia); Debra R. Timmerman (Columbia); Leo F. Twiggs
(Orangeburg); John Whitehead (Columbia); Louis Wright (Florence);
and Suzette M. Surkamer (Columbia - Ex-Officio).
This 22 member board has 14 members from the Columbia area, more
than 60% - that's balance for you - so much for representative
government. There are 3 members from Greenville to represent the
Upstate. There are 4 members who represent the B list cities in
SC, and 1 member from Charleston. That member just happens to
be the wife of the former USC President - who spent a long time
in Columbia making ties.
There is only one member to represent the entire Lowcountry -
the largest populated area of the state. Go figure.
Who elects these members? This private club reproduces itself.
But don't confuse them with the SC Arts Commission - even if they
share the same location, phone and staff. They're different! Some
of these folks have been on this board - forever!
Why do we need a separate SC Arts Foundation? Well, the best I
can figure - it is a collection fund for money donated by businesses
and private individuals that is not accountable to state oversight.
They control Artist Fellowships, the State Art Collection, and
the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner/Governor's Awards & Luncheon
- all the plum prizes for visual artists.
And, since there is no way to obtain private donation info - there
is no way to see if the businesses who are giving money to the
Foundation are the same ones receiving those Verner Awards for
Business.
A New Website
Charleston, SC's historic French Quarter, charming home to roughly
30 art galleries, wonderful restaurants, interesting shops, and
historic homes, all within walking distance from one another,
is the center of the visual arts community in Charleston. Located
within the original walled city and founded by the French Huguenots,
the French Quarter has become a national arts destination. The
French Quarter is located between S. Market and Tradd, Meeting
and the waterfront. Atop the area street signs are labels denoting
the French Quarter.
There are just as many galleries located outside the French Quarter
area - within a few blocks walking distance.
The French Quarter Gallery Association has now made it easier
to find your way through the downtown city streets from gallery
to gallery with a new map and an easy to navigate website, found
at (www.frenchquarterarts.com). This info is helpful for everyday
shopping (don't forget our map on Page 6) or for when you're coming
for one of the FQGA's Art Walks.
Art Walks are held seasonally on the first Fri. of Mar., May,
Oct. and Dec., from 5-8pm, and are free and open to the public.
Maps are available at participating galleries or download one
from the website. Stroll the cobbled streets and gas lit
alleyways to discover the works of well over 500 artists representing
a diverse variety of styles and mediums, from traditional to contemporary.
It should be noted that many of the other galleries in Charleston
will also be opening their doors during the FQGA's Art Walks.
Just as those FQGA galleries will be opening their doors during
the Charleston Fine Arts Dealers' Association's "Eighth Fine
Art Annual," taking place from Nov. 3-5, 2006.
Charleston's visual art community is just one big happy family.
Come check it out.
But if you're not coming this way you may want to check out Greenville,
SC's growing visual art community during the "Greenville
Open Studio" event, also taking place Nov. 4-5, 2006. Here
you'll be able to visit 80 artists' studios. And, if you get there
early you can do the "First Fridays" art walk/hop/stroll
from 6-9pm. There you'll find 20 galleries in Greenville's developing
West End area.
Or - do "Vista Lights" in Columbia, SC, on Nov. 16,
2006, from 5-10pm. Galleries in Columbia's Vista area will open
their doors with new art offerings - as will many of the shops
in the area. This event kicks off Columbia's holiday season.
You could do a two-fer - Charleston/Columbia or Greenville/Columbia.
November is a great month to get a look at SC's visual art community.
But, don't forget NC. Many of their cities have art walks/hops/strolls
too. Charlotte has two every month. They are even walking to galleries
every month in Brevard and Hendersonville. And I hear walking
is good for you. I drive mostly - a lot!
The weather is changing - get up off the couch and get out and
see some art.
The Art/Walk/Hop/Stroll
So what's so good about these art gathering evenings? What is
the benefit to going to these events or visiting galleries any
day? It's the communal atmosphere. The artists are in the galleries,
visual art supporters come out, there is excitement in the air,
people are laughing and having a good time. And there is the food
and spirits - not the good cheer kind. I always see someone I
haven't seen in a long time.
I'm still a proponent of the private reception, but getting the
community together for one big public reception has it merits.
And, sometimes people look at and buy art too.
Carolina Arts
is published monthly by Shoestring
Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc.
Copyright© 2006 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts
from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts
Online, Copyright© 2006 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved
by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use
without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina
Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.