April 4: Southeastern Bluegrass Association's Gospel Bluegrass Festival

September 6: Flower Show in Darlington

In early September, the Kalmia Garden Study Club will hold the first Flower Show in Darlington in nearly 40 years, and you can participate! If you have something growing in your yard (flowering or not), you can enter the exhibit. Then come see what the Pee Dee is growing from 9a-2p, Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Trinity UMC Youth building, around the corner from the Veterans Memorial and Square. 

Darlington Freedom Fest at the Raceway, July 4th

July 4th, 4pm-10pm

The first-ever fourth of July event at Darlington Raceway! FREE admission for all!  Country-rock stars OUTSHYNE will be headlining and the John Curtis Lewis Band will be opening! Activities include a Kids Zone, Classic Car Cruise-In & a major 20 minute+ firework show displayed over the grand stands!

Darlington Raceway - 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy, Darlington SC 29532

May 15th: Vino's Palette in Darlington

Darlington 5000 T-Shirt Design Contest

As the Darlington 5000 race, a run/walk for Williamson Park, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this September, the Williamson Park Committee would like to involve the community in the organization of this year’s event.

Criteria: Design the 10th anniversary T-shirt for the Darlington 5000 race. Elements that must be included are the Williamson Park logo; the words “Darlington 5000”; the date of the event, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014; the words “Benefiting Williamson Park” or “To Benefit Williamson Park”; and the number “10” or “10th." Note: Design will be printed on white T-shirts.

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2014.

Prize: Winner’s artwork will adorn all race T-shirts and be used in promotional materials. A link to the artist’s website and photo of the winner with his artwork will appear online and be distributed to media outlets.

Cost: There is no cost to enter.

Announcement: The winning artwork will be chosen during the May 13 meeting of the Williamson Park committee. The artist will be contacted by Friday, May 16, so he will be included in press releases.

Entry: Artists may deliver work to the Planning Department at the City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St., or they may email digital files to darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. Vector digital images are preferred for graphic design entries. Image files should be saved at 300 dpi. All entries should be accompanied by an Entry Form. Without a signed form, your entry will not be processed.

Mail to: Williamson Park Committee, Planning Department, PO Box 57, Darlington, SC 29540

Deadline to Enter: No later than 5 pm on Friday, May 9, 2014.

Questions? Call the Planning Director at 843-398-4000 ext. 103.

Call to Artists: Racing Art Contest 2014 in Darlington

Criteria:  Original artwork work in all media will be considered and is eligible. Limit of one (1) piece per artist. Winners will be based upon how the art entry captures the essence, history, culture, or excitement of racing. Entries focusing on the Southern 500 or Darlington-related specifics will be given greater favor. 

Exhibit Date: Saturday, April 12 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Two Categories: (1) Ages 18 & Older and (2) Ages 17 & Younger

Prizes: Jury panel of art professionals and local celebrities will evaluate entries on the strength of original art and select one entry as the winner in each category. Visitors to the exhibit will vote for one (1) People’s Choice Award winner. The winner of the Ages 18 & Older category will receive $100. The winner of the People’s Choice will receive $100. The winner of the Ages 17 & Older category will receive $50.

Cost: Entry fee is $15 for Ages 18 & Older and is $5 for Ages 17 & Younger.  Checks can be mailed to the address below. Make out to:  Market on Darlington Square / DDRA.

Booth Display: Any artists who have paid for an entry in the Racing Art Contest may set up a booth to display and sell their original work or prints at no additional charge. You must indicate that you will have a booth when you send in your entry, so we can reserve a space for you. You do not have to have a booth display to enter the contest.

Identification: Affix a tag to the front and back of each entry with your name, title, medium, size, and price (or NFS if not for sale). During the exhibit, people interested in purchasing artwork will be directed to the artist’s booth, if present, or contact information will be collected for the artist. The Committee will not handle any sales.

Delivery and Display: All artwork must be ready for display. Artists may deliver work beginning March 31 to the City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St., or they may deliver between 7:30 am and 8:45 am the morning of the exhibit to 1 Public Square.

Pick up of Artwork: We encourage artists to pick up artwork between 2 pm and 3 pm immediately following the exhibit on April 12. If that is not possible, arrange to pick up artwork before April 30, 2014. 

Application Procedure:  Fill out the enclosed application and return to the Market on Darlington Square Committee with a color photo of the entry. Jpegs can be substituted for photos and may be emailed to darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. Your application will not be processed without payment of the entry fee.

Mail to:           Market on Darlington Square, Planning Department

PO Box 57, Darlington, SC  29540

Deadline to Enter: No later than 5 pm on Monday, March 31

Questions? Call the Planning Director at 843-398-4000 ext. 103.

Downtown Darlington to get mural honoring race track

Artist Blue Sky will return to Darlington to complete a second mural for the city of Darlington — this time one to commemorate the story of Darlington Raceway.

Darlington City Council voted to hire the Columbia artist during its January regular meeting. The mural is scheduled to be complete in time for this year’s new race date in early April.

The mural will be located at 114 Pearl St. at the Liberty Lane Winston Walk of Fame, a brick pathway created in 1989 through a partnership of the Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association, the City of Darlington and Darlington Raceway.

“This mural will serve as another point of community pride at the town’s center like the Blue Sky mural on Main Street, Williamson Park and the Veterans Memorial Park will be once it’s complete,” said Darlington City Planning Director Lisa Chalian-Rock, who developed the idea after many walks meandering through downtown.

With the change in Darlington’s annual race date from Mother’s Day weekend to April 11-12, the city also wanted to do something special to highlight its connection to the track, which has given Darlington international name recognition. The city will hold a celebration and reception for Blue Sky and the new mural during race week at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at Liberty Lane with light refreshments and musical entertainment before the Car Haulers Parade and Racefest at 7 p.m.

The artwork of the mural will tell the story of how the “Lady in Black” came to be in a graphic novel style using bold colors and snapshots of the early history of racing in Darlington.

Work is slated to begin Monday.

Call to Artists: Racing Art Contest 2014

Racing Art Contest 2014

Rules and Important Information

Criteria:  Original artwork work in all media will be considered and is eligible. Limit of one (1) piece per artist. Winners will be based upon how the art entry captures the essence, history, culture, or excitement of racing. Entries focusing on the Southern 500 or Darlington-related specifics will be given greater favor. 

Exhibit Date: Saturday, April 12 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Two Categories: (1) Ages 18 & Older and (2) Ages 17 & Younger

Prizes: Jury panel of art professionals and local celebrities will evaluate entries on the strength of original art and select one entry as the winner in each category. Visitors to the exhibit will vote for one (1) People’s Choice Award winner. The winner of the Ages 18 & Older category will receive $100. The winner of the People’s Choice will receive $100. The winner of the Ages 17 & Older category will receive $50.

Cost: Entry fee is $15 for Ages 18 & Older and is $5 for Ages 17 & Younger.  Checks can be mailed to the address below. Make out to:  Market on Darlington Square / DDRA.

Booth Display: Any artists who have paid for an entry in the Racing Art Contest may set up a booth to display and sell their original work or prints at no additional charge. You must indicate that you will have a booth when you send in your entry, so we can reserve a space for you. You do not have to have a booth display to enter the contest.

Identification: Affix a tag to the front and back of each entry with your name, title, medium, size, and price (or NFS if not for sale). During the exhibit, people interested in purchasing artwork will be directed to the artist’s booth, if present, or contact information will be collected for the artist. The Committee will not handle any sales.

Delivery and Display: All artwork must be ready for display. Artists may deliver work beginning March 31 to the City Administration Building, 410 Pearl St., or they may deliver between 7:30 am and 8:45 am the morning of the exhibit to 1 Public Square.

Pick up of Artwork: We encourage artists to pick up artwork between 2 pm and 3 pm immediately following the exhibit on April 12. If that is not possible, arrange to pick up artwork before April 30, 2014. 

Application Procedure:  Fill out the enclosed application and return to the Market on Darlington Square Committee with a color photo of the entry. Jpegs can be substituted for photos and may be emailed to darlingtonplanner@gmail.com. Your application will not be processed without payment of the entry fee.

Mail to:           Market on Darlington Square, Planning Department

PO Box 57, Darlington, SC  29540

Deadline to Enter: No later than 5 pm on Monday, March 31

Questions? Call the Planning Director at 843-398-4000 ext. 103.

January 16th: Vino's Palette in Darlington

January 16th: Vino's Palette in Darlington

January 17th: Oil Painting Workshop with Vicky McLain in Darlington

One Day Oil Painting Workshop - Paint a Butterfly

January 17th, 9am-2pm

Location: Birds of a Feather, 106 Siskron, Darlington, SC

Join Vicky McLain at Birds of a Feather in Darlington for a one-day oil painting workshop on January 17th.  This class will be great for painters of all skill levels.    

HOW TO REGISTER:

Cost - $30.
To reserve your spot in the class, send a check payable to ACM Enterprises (ACME)
to:
Vicky McLain
561 Eddins Rd
Cheraw, SC 29520

You must pay in advance to register for this class.  Payment must be received by January 15th. No refunds after that date.  Minimum class size is 6 artists. Maximum class size is 13.

Class is open to beginner and intermediate painters.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:

Oil Paints: Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, Cad Yellow Light or Lemon Yellow, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, White

Other supplies: Canvas no larger than 8x10, palette, table easel, Q-tips, Huggies Wipes, paper towels, palette knife for paint mixing, odorless mineral spirits for brush cleaning and a jar to put it in, newspaper or covering for your work area.

Please bring your favorite brushes. The ones I use are: #6 & #8 round bristle brushes, small brush for detail work, medium mop brush.

December 19th: Paint a 'Swirly Tree' with Vino's Palette in Darlington

Vino's Palette is painting "Swirly Tree" in Darlington on Thursday, December 19th at Birds of a Feather. 

Join the fun at 106 Siskron Street, just off the Square in Darlington. The cost is $35.   Please call to reserve your canvas: 843,250.4592.

November 21st: Paint Mr. Owl with Vino's Palette in Darlington

November 1st: Paint a Wren with Vicky McLain in Darlington

DATE:  Friday, November 1st, 9am-2pm, $30.

LOCATION - Birds of a Feather, 106 Siskron St., Darlington, SC
COST - $30. To reserve your spot in the class, send a check payable to ACM Enterprises (ACME) to:

 

Vicky McLain

561 Eddins Rd

Cheraw, SC 29520

 

You must pay in advance to register for this class.
Payment must be received by October 30th. No refunds after that date. Minimum class size is 6 artists. Maximum class size is 13
Class is open to beginner and intermediate painters.

SUPPLIES TO BRING:
Oil Paints: Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Yellow Ochre, Cad Yellow Light or Lemon Yellow, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, White
Other supplies: Canvas no larger than 8x10, palette, table easel, Q-tips, Huggies Wipes, paper towels, palette knife for paint mixing, odorless mineral spirits for brush cleaning and a jar to put it in, newspaper or covering for your work area.
Please bring your favorite brushes. The ones I use are: #6 & #8 round bristle brushes, small brush for detail work, medium mop brush.

Call to Artists: Christmas Arts Fair in Darlington

The City of Darlington presents a Christmas Arts Fair at the Darlington YMCA Dec. 12-14 to create economic activity downtown and to fulfill residents’ shopping needs during the holiday season. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the YMCA gym.

The Christmas Arts Fair is open to all artists, craftsmen, and sculptors with original work, but you must apply by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, to participate as there is limited space available.

Artists will need to complete an application and include a color photo of the type of work they wish to sell in the fair. Electronic applications and jpegs are accepted.

Artists will have an 8-foot by 8-foot space in the gymnasium and will be required to provide their own tables, chairs, and table coverings. Only works by approved artists can be sold in the prepaid booth space. Stock boxes must be kept out of sight during the event, and artists cannot tear down their space until the show is over Saturday afternoon.

Selected artists will be notified by Oct. 30.

The cost for a space is $25 for the three-day event, and payment must be made by accepted applicants by Nov. 7. Do not send payment until you are notified of your inclusion in the Christmas Arts Fair.

For applications or information, call Planning Director Lisa Chalian-Rock at 843-398-4000 ext. 103 or email her at  darlingtonplanner@gmail.com.

October 6th: Pianist Benjamin Woods at Trinity Church in Darlington

Trinity Church is located at 128 Pearl Street in Darlington.  For more information, call 843.393.4852.

December 12th - 14th: Christmas Arts Fair in Darlington

September 22nd: Gospel Music on the Square in Darlington

Artbug Studio to offer Summer Camps in Hartsville, Darlington & Florence

Artbug Studio Summer Camps 2013

Artbug Studio will be offering summer camps full of fun with an inviting and creative environment for children to explore, stretch and grow artistically. On Thursday of each week, camp participants will have a popcorn party and student art show. 

 Camps will be offered at the following locations:

Artbug Studio, 106 Siskron St., Darlington
Darlington Recreation Department, 300 Sanders Street, Darlington
Coach T.B. Thomas Sports Center, 701 W. Washington St., Hartsville
Florence County Parks & Recreation, 710 S. Irby Street, Florence

Camps are 9:30am -11:30am / Monday - Thursday for ages 6-11.

Cost per camp is $100 plus a $20 materials fee due at registration.

Please call the studio at (843) 250-4592 to register.

New this year, Artbug Studio will have day camps for ages 3-5 with an adult ($25).

Click on the link below for the full camp schedule:

Summer Camp Schedule 2013

Wink Prince discusses 'The Great Harvest' on Coastal Today

The Great Harvest: Remembering Tobacco in the Pee Dee is a book written by Dr. Wink Prince and featuring photographs by Benton Henry.  

About The Great Harvest:

For much of the twentieth century, flue-cured tobacco culture dominated the Pee Dee economy. On farms throughout the region, families labored to plant, cultivate, harvest, cure, and ready the crop for market. In the market towns of Mullins, Lake City, Darlington, Timmonsville, Conway, and Loris, warehousemen turned the crop into cash. Between 1988 and 1993, faculty and students—mostly from Coker College—conducted interviews among Pee Dee tobacco growers and warehousemen. Many subjects had been involved in tobacco culture throughout their lives and spoke knowledgeably of producing and marketing the crop. Their stories are here, woven into an engaging and highly readable narrative. The brilliant photographs of Benton Henry, shot on the country roads and city streets of the Pee Dee, provide a poignant visual commentary on the agrarian architecture of another time.