May 21: Bluegrass at the Art Trail Gallery Featuring Carolina Crossroads and Opening Reception for Fantasy vs. Reality

May 28: Florence Little Theatre Awards Night

Florence Little Theatre 
invites you to the 
52nd Awards Night

Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 PM

An evening of entertainment and awards remembering the
2014-2015 Season: A Tradition of Excellence
and a preview of next season's shows!

Admission is free!

Donate Your Time at the Art Trail Gallery

The gallery is moving on for planning and arrangements for the existing and new location and

we want to involve you.

The gallery would like to have an additional 12 hours of volunteer service; working afternoons,

Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 pm.

The Art Trail Gallery is an important part of the artistic endeavor in the new downtown

revitalization and only with volunteers help can we remain open to the public.

You don't have to be an artist, we want young and old, men or women whom enjoy being

involved in the art scene, greeting visitors, learning whats happening in the fast moving

revitalization program in the downtown.

Become a valuable part by helping bring in exhibits or taking out an exhibit, help in the daily

functions of the gallery, or decide you like to be on our event schedule volunteer and help set up

programs for outside rentals, receptions for opening shows.

For additional information or to sign up as a ATG Volunteer contact:

Lee Benoy.....lee86911@aim.com or David Hobbs....dd61hobbs@gmail.com

Thursdays: Open Mic Night at Lula's Coffee Shop

Open Mic Night @ Lula's Coffee Co.600-D Pamplico HwyFlorence, SC
Thursday Nights 7-10pm

May 12: Florence Regional Arts Alliance Awards Night

Please join the Florence Regional Arts Alliance as we celebrate community leaders who have made a difference this year. The 2015 Arts Awards will be presented in conjunction with an artist reception for the beautiful Legacy Exhibit housed in the Waters Gallery.

The event begins at 6pm and will take place in the Florence County Museum Waters Building.

There is no cost to attend the reception or to see the exhibit due to the generosity of First Reliance Bank, the UPS store, She Magazine and Diversity Works Magazine.

The following were nominated by community members to be recognized for their contributions to the arts community through a Florence Regional Arts Alliance Arts Award. On May 12th, see which one of these deserving nominees will take home the award in each of the following categories!

Outstanding Arts Awards Organization: This award is presented annually to the Florence County arts organization that has a tremendous impact on the community. This may be through programming, projects, resource development, advocacy or other innovation. No organization
may win this award twice in a four-year period.

Florence Men’s Choral Society
South Carolina Dance Theatre
The Community Museum Society, Inc. in Lake City
Artfields ®, Lake City partnership Council

John W. Baker Service Award: The John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual from Florence County who has significantly impacted the quality of life in our community through his/her activities, contributions, and/or accomplishments in the arts.

Reynolds Williams
Ann Rogers Chandler
David D. Hobbs
James T. Schofield

Greg Fry Educator of the Year Award: This award is presented annually to an educator who either resides or works in Florence County. Public and private schools educators are eligible for this award, as well as individuals in higher education and those who teach through registered
501(c)(3) arts organizations.

Steven Gately
Brad Sponic
Colleen Critcher
Travis Allen

In addition, an outstanding business will be recognized through the The Business & Partnership Award.

The Frank Crow Award will be awarded to a FRAA board member, staff member of volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization’s growth and success (either over the past year or longer period of time).

Learn more about the awards program here:

http://www.florenceartsalliance.org/awards/

May 11: Painting Class the Art Trail Gallery

Monday, the 11th, at Art Trail Gallery in Florence from 6-8.
Bring a friend and your class is half price
Email me pjsingletary@ftc-I.net or 843-373-3205

Classes are $25.00 and come complete with all supplies.

May 21: Once A Part Now Art at Smart Phone Repair Awards and Meet the Artist Reception

Smart Phone Repair in collaboration with the Florence Regional Arts Alliance organized an art contest in which artists were called to find new and creative purposes for discarded phone or tablet parts. The Artwork is now on display within the store located at 190 West Evans Street in Florence. Smart Phone Repair customers have the opportunity to participate by voting on their favorite creation through May 21 when they visit the  store.  The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is pleased to partner with this downtown business in this innovative contest celebrating sustainability and the visual arts. 

The Awards and Artist reception for “Once a Part Now Art”  will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 pm at Smart Phone Repair celebrating this up-cycled exhibition of repurposed materials. Inquiries may be directed to Smart Phone Repair at 843-536-0239 or by visiting the store during normal business hours. Visit their website for more information www.smartphonerepaironline.com. 

May 13: South Carolina Dance Auditions

Audition Times
Wedsnesday, May 13
SCDT 4 (ages 6 - 8) 4:15 - 5:00
SCDT 2 & SCDT 3 (ages 8 -11) 5:15 - 6:00 
SCDT 1 & SCDT 2 (ages 11 and up) 6:15 - 7:15


A non refundable registration fee of $15 is required for the audition and must be submitted with the application. You can arrive early to fill out the application. If unsure of which level you should audition, please go by the current age of your child.

The South Carolina Dance Theatre is a non-profit dance company organized in 1978 to enrich the cultural environment of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina

https://scdancetheatre.wordpress.com

May 15-17: Florence Little Theatre's Children's Worskhop Presents Disney's Peter Pan, Jr.

Florence Little Theatre's Children's Workshop

Disney’s Peter Pan, Jr. 

Book and Additional Lyrics by David Zellni 
Based on the Play by J.M. Barrie and the 1953 Disney Film 

Florence Little Theatre Children’s Workshop presents, Disney’s Peter Pan, Jr. May 15-May 17, 2015. Peter Pan JR. is the story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up and the girl who has to. After finding his shadow in the Darling family nursery, Peter teaches Wendy, Michael and John how to fly and sweeps them off to Never Land, where they meet Lost Boys, mermaids, indians and, of course, pirates. If the children are ever to return home, Peter must defeat Captain Hook with the help of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. Peter Pan JR. features classic songs from the 1953 film such as, “You Can Fly!,” “Following the Leader” and “The Second Star to the Right” as well as songs from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the 2008 Disney film Tinker Bell. 

FLT’s Children’s Workshop is underwritten by Chick-fil-A and directed by Lisa Sims. 

FLT’s Children’s Workshop is a semester-long, educational program designed to give youth in grades 2-6 hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre production. 

Tickets are $5 per person. Tickets go on sale May 11, 2015.

Performances May 15-17, 2015 Friday and Saturday 7:30 PM Saturday and Sunday 3:00 PM 

Tickets can be purchased by phone or in person at the FLT Box Office located in Downtown Florence on Dargan Street. 

Box Office Hours: 9:30 AM-5:00 PM 843-662-3731 417 S. Dargan Street Florence, SC 29506 

May 28: Vino's Palette "Spring Tree on a Salvaged Window" Painting Class at Black Creek Arts Council

May 12: Red Doe Plantation Program at the Florence County Library

Red Doe Plantation, one of Florence County’s oldest landmarks, will be featured in a presentation at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.  Speaker Agnes Willcox, Chair of the Historic Florence Foundation, will discuss the history of the 169 year-old plantation as well as ongoing restoration efforts.

Willcox states, “Red Doe Plantation is one of the few remaining Florence County historic properties that retains much of its original features. We hope that a full renovation will be done in the foreseeable future.”

Admission is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Friends of Florence County Library. For more information, please call (843) 413-7068 or visit www.florencelibrary.org.

Black Creek Arts Council and Friends of Hartsville Memorial Library Annual Photography Contest

8^th Annual Carolinas Photography
Exhibit and Gallery Crawl

 Jim Boden, The Scream, 2014 Best of Show

Black Creek Arts Council and the Friends of Hartsville Memorial Library will be hosting their annual community photography contest and exhibit in June. Carolinas will debut at the Hartsville Library and the Black Creek Arts Center with an opening reception and gallery crawl on June 4th from 5:30-7:30pm.

To enter the contest, simply bring your photo(s) to Black Creek Arts Center or Hartsville Memorial Library between May 18th and May 29th. Three entries per person are allowed and the prices are: $15 for one entry, $25 for two and $30 for three. All pieces are to be show ready when submitted. Amateur and professional photographers of all ages who live, work or create in Darlington County are invited to enter.

“One of the great aspects of this event is the exhibition of the community’s photographers. Also working with Hartsville Memorial Library and its staff is a great example of the area organizations working together to bring unique arts-related shows and programming to our community,” said Allison Pederson, Executive Director of Black Creek Arts Council.

Four Categories include:

“Anything Goes” - If your photograph is abstract or digitally manipulated…there are no limits

“Carolinas” - If you have taken a photo in the Carolinas (any size)
“Darlington County Travelers” - If your photo has been taken outside North or South Carolina “Photographers 18 and Under” - If you are 18 years of age or younger…anything goes

All photographs will be considered for Best of Show as well as entered into one of the categories listed above. Photographers choose their category. There will be one (1) winner with a cash award of $75 and two (2) honorable mentions for each of the categories and one (1) People’s Choice for each location. All winners will receive a ribbon.

This year’s event is sponsored by Sonoco Products Company and the winner of Best of Show will receive a cash award of $150 sponsored by the Darlington Photography Club. The Best of Show image will be also be used for the poster and all promotion for the following year’s Carolinas exhibit.

For more information, contact Black Creek Arts Center, 843-332-6234, Hartsville Memorial Library, 843-332-5115 ext 4 or email bartscounc@aol.com, bcacevents@gmail.com,   audreyt.har@darlington-lib.org or visit www.blackcreekarts.org and go to the events tab.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County.  BCAC’s offices are located at 116 West College Avenue.  The Friends of Hartsville Memorial Library is a group dedicated to serving and providing for the patrons of the library through programming, events, and fundraisers.  The Hartsville Memorial Library is located at 147 West College Avenue.

May Issue of Carolina Arts

 

  

For single page format use this link (http://www.carolinaarts.com/515/515carolinaarts-sp.pdf).

     For side by side page format use this link (http://www.carolinaarts.com/515/515carolinaarts-dp.pdf).

     Downloading the entire PDF file to your desktop, tablet, or smart phone - it's the best way to view the paper - then you can enlarge the page to any size you like. And, you will be able to check it out from time to time without having to download it again.

May 1: The Art of "Que" at Artfields®

BBQ, a culinary technique becoming well established in the South by the 19^th century, is more than simply throwing meat on a grill.  One of the South's most distinct art forms, barbecuing is a delicious combination of smoke, meat, signature spices and rubs. Come and sample a variety of BBQ styles and flavors at the Art of 'Que' and enjoy some fantastic live music provided by the “Blue Dogs.” ($7.00 wristband to participate in the BBQ tasting)

Purchase tickets here: https://kiosk.eztix.co/kiosk-optimised/59608

May 15: Florence Regional Arts Alliance Grant Deadline for Projects beginning in July, August or September

Since 1987, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance has awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to arts organizations, artists and teachers.

FRAA’s Quarterly Grants Program has four deadlines annually.

2015-2016 Application Deadlines:

• May 15 for projects beginning in July, August or September of 2015 and ending before June 1 of 2016.

• August 15 for projects beginning in October, November or December of 2015 and ending before June 1 of 2016.

• November 15 for projects beginning in January, February or March of 2016 and ending before June 1 of 2016.

• February 15th for projects beginning in April, May or June of 2016 and ending before June 1 of 2016 .

To receive a copy of the application or to learn more about FRAA’s Quarterly Grants Program  visit: http://www.florenceartsalliance.org/grants/ or contact executive director, Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407.3092.

The program is funded by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC, the South Carolina Arts Commission, The National Endowment for the Arts, Honda and local individual support to the Florence Regional Arts Alliance.

Artbug Studio Summer Camp Schedule

Call (843) 250-4592 to reserve your spot!

Big Changes for Artsville Open Mic

Monthly event gets new venue, new name

Beginning Monday May 4, Artsville Open Mic--the monthly songwriting competition presented by the concert series, Artsville--will take place at the new Crema Coffee Bar at 136 W Carolina Avenue in Hartsville. Artsville is also renaming the event “The Artsville Songwriting Competition”, or “ASC”.

Artsville announced the major changes to their longest running event via their website on Tuesday. According to the official announcement, the venue change was “a mutual agreement” between Artsville Executive Director and Founder, Dylan Sneed and Suzanne Galloway, owner of The Midnight Rooster, which had hosted the event since its inception in 2011. Sneed said, “I'm confident The [Midnight] Rooster will remain our friend even as we move in a different direction. In my view it is impossible to overstate the cultural impact this business has had on our community.”

In 2012 Artsville changed the format of the Open Mic to a monthly songwriting competition which fed into the annual Artsville Songwriting Competition in November. “We realized that the two events were in effect part of one, big year-long event. We’re hoping the name change will help audiences and performers make the connection.” The annual November event will now become “The Finals” of ASC.

The guidelines and format of the monthly event will remain the same. Songwriters must sing their original compositions and pay a $5 entry fee, which is used to fund the monthly cash prize. For complete details, visit welcometoartsville.com.

May 2: Kentucky Derby Theme Party at the Marion County Public Library in the Sellers Resource Center

You are cordially invited to attend an event a special Kentucky Derby Theme Style Party

Saturday May 2, 2015 @ 3:00 P.M.

Marion County Public Library (Sellers Resource Center)

2653 Main St. Sellers SC

Tickets $25 Billionaire’s Club

$20 Millionaire’s Club

$15 General Seating

Please RSVP (Christopher Davis 267-663-9003)

(Art Depiction inspired by mauriceevans.com)

·       Beautiful Hat Show

·       Unveiling of New Book Cover By Christopher Davis

·       Celebrity Guest Luncheon

·       Also see the New Traveling Exhibit composed By Christopher Davis “The Art of Giving Birth to the Manifestation of a Dream Envisioned”

·       How the concept of women in church hats and art co-relate.

·       Art/Door Prize Give-A-Ways

·       Kentucky Derby Race

·       Special Prize for the Best Hat Lady/Jock(Man)

·       A Portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sellers Branch Library & Resource Center

April 29: Coker College Dance Program presents its Senior Thesis Dance Concert

The Coker College Dance Program will present the Senior Thesis Dance Concert April 29, May 1 and May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater of the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. The concert will include solo and group works by dance major seniors Akhira Ansari, Kirsten Sanders and Ashley LeSage.

Ansari was inspired by research on structural oppression, specifically police brutality against minority groups for her group work, “The Hate That Fear Produced,”. Through visceral movement, video projections and unpredictable conflict between the dancers on stage, Ansari’s work captures a snapshot of a churning city that questions the idea of American justice. “Breathe,” Ansari's solo work, examines the concept of “man vs. self” as she takes the audience on a backward journey through her struggle to accept change. Change is inevitable; nothing is ever constant. It is here that Ansari learns the ultimate meaning of 'Fight or Flight'.

Sanders, in her group work, “Waves of Fervor,” explores the five stages of grief as explained by Swiss psychiatrist Kubler-Ross. Through dynamic and emotional movement, the dancers depict the five stages of grief in their individual journey through the work. “Hallucinations,” Sanders’ solo work, chronicles events from her dream journal. Using gestural movement vocabulary, she will move through the space with intensity as she brings those dreams to life.

LeSage’s research for her group work, “Conflicted Conformity,” examines finding one’s individualism in a society that values conformity. Using contrast between movements that are slow and weighted with those that are quick and rhythmic, this piece exhibits how conformity can bring either comfort or chaos. “Perceptions,” LeSage’s solo work, demonstrates the challenges of being a woman in America’s beauty-conscious society through gestural movement, spoken text and use of props.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Admission for Coker students, faculty and staff is free with a Coker ID.

For more information, please contact Angela M. Gallo at 843-383-8381 or agallo@coker.edu.

The dance major at Coker College offers students a broad range of courses that prepare them for several career options in dance and provides opportunities for students to enter into advanced professional dance training. The mission of the dance program, within the context of a liberal arts degree program, ensures graduates are prepared both for performance-related work and for additional study at the graduate level.

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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.