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 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 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.

April 10-June 25: Legacy-The Ansel Adams Experience

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is pleased to collaborate with the Florence County Museum and introduce a new exhibition in the Florence County Museum Waters Gallery. The Legacy exhibition, traces the influence and legacy of Ansel Adams in the work of 5 local women artists. It is the second exhibit in the newly restored space following the Pee Dee Regional and will run April 10 - June 28.

Legacy features the work of Tari Federer, Kathleen Kennebeck, Elizabeth Kinser, Julie Mixon and Allison Triplett. In the Fall of 2014, Julie Mixon, Assistant Professor of Art at Francis Marion University, took the students featured in this exhibit to the Eastern Sierras of California for a trip she titled: The Ansel Adams Experience. The project title references one of the most revered photographers of all time. In short, Ansel Adams was a pioneer in the world of photography, specifically in landscape photography. Adams is revered for his complete dedication in every step of the photographic process and is known for his majestic landscape images of the American West. During this travel experience, the group went to places such as Yosemite National Forest, Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town and surrounding areas.

One of the goals of this trip was to experience just a little bit of how Adams created his iconic images by using a large format film camera. Students were also encouraged to photograph using digital means and emphasis was placed on creating images that define their personal vision and interpretation of the Eastern Sierra landscape.

The exhibit title references the enduring importance of the teacher-student model. The artists featured in this exhibit have a lineage to Ansel Adams because of the passing of information. One of Mixon’s professors of photography (Gilbert Leebrick) was inspired by Adams and learned much directly from him. In turn, Leebrick shared this information and inspiration with Mixon, which she has shared with her students. This legacy of information will continue with the artists featured in this exhibit. The hope is that the students will take these fundamental techniques and ideas which have been passed on and apply them to their own purposes in image-based media.

The students’ trip was funded by Francis Marion University’s REAL (Ready to Experience Applied Learning) Grant Program, which is designed to enhance the student’s learning through nontraditional learning and learning, which takes place outside of the classroom.

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance hopes Florence County will enjoy these encounters five local artists have captured. The exhibition will feature a looped video chronicling the artists’ stories and experiences.  The Alliance invites the viewer to connect with the artist by hearing their story and hopefully providing a deeper level of understanding between the gallery visitor and the artist.

The Artist Reception for this exhibit will coincide with the Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s Arts Awards Presentations on May 12 in the Waters Building at 6pm. These prestigious awards annually recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of our community. This event and exhibit is made possible through the generous support of individual donors and the sponsorship of First Reliance Bank and She Magazine.

The Florence County Museum Waters Gallery is located at 135 South Dargan Street. The Legacy exhibit is open to the public and free of charge from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm and on Sundays from 2pm – 5pm. 

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based local arts agency that serves the citizens of Florence County and the Pee Dee. It strives to promote the arts as a catalyst for community cohesiveness, educational advancement and economic growth. For more information on the Arts Alliance or its programs please visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or call director, Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at 843.407.3092.

Photo by Julie Mixon

Photo by Julie Mixon

Photo by Kathleen Kennebeck

March 22: Chamber Ensemble Aurora Musicalis Returns to Florence for Concert

Chamber Ensemble Aurora Musicalis Returns to Florence for a Concert at the Art Trail Gallery

By popular demand this exciting Chamber Ensemble will perform again on Sunday March 22 at 5 PM. The program will feature 2 Trios for Clarinet, the Trio in A minor opus 40 by Carl Fruhling and the Trio in A minor by Johannes Brahms. The performer for this concert are Jimmy Gilmore, clarinet; Elizabeth Beilman, cello and John Noel, piano.  The approximately one hour concert will be followed by a meet the artist reception. Ticket is available at the Art Trail or at the door. The Art Trail Gallery is located at the corner of Irby and Evans St in downtown Florence.

AURORA MUSICALIS is a diverse chamber music ensemble composed of members of the North Carolina Symphony and other distinguished artists. AURORA MUSICALIS was founded by Principal Clarinetist (ret.), Jimmy Gilmore and Associate Principal Cellist, Elizabeth Beilman who, along with pianist John Noel and violinists Brian Reagin (Concertmaster) and Rebekah Binford (Assistant Principal First Violin), form the core of the ensemble. The group is committed to showcasing the talents of some of North Carolina’s finest musicians in a variety of interesting repertoire. Since its’ debut in 1991, AURORA MUSICALIS has made numerous appearances to critical acclaim including concert series’ at Duke University, Weymouth Center, Fearrington Village, Meredith College and the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild. The ensemble was listed in the Top Ten Concerts for both the News and Observer and The Spectator. Their first compact disc, ECHOES OF AMERICA: CHAMBER MUSIC OF AMERICA received excellent reviews, including a special notice in the international publication, Fanfare. The disc, whose title piece was commissioned by the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild and dedicated to AURORA MUSICALIS by North Carolina’s Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Ward, is available on the Albany label.

This concert is sponsored by the Florence Symphony Guild. 

This project is also made possible through funding from the Florence Regional Arts Alliance's Quarterly Grants Program, which is funded in part by a generous award from Honda of South Carolina, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC.

Florence Regional Arts Alliance Seeks Nominations for Art Awards

 The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is currently seeking nominations from the community to recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of the community. Nominations are requested from individuals and will be awarded by the Florence Regional Arts Alliances Board of Directors.  The submission deadline is March 31.

To submit a nomination, community members are asked to either complete an online form  here. or to compose and mail a statement to the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Written statements should indicate who is being nominated, for which award and a few statements describing why the nomination is being made. Those submitting nominations should provide their name and contact information as well, should their nomination be selected to receive an award. Nomination letters should be addressed to: The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, PO Box 3871 ,Florence, SC 29502-3871

Nominations from Florence County are requested from the public for the following categories: 

The John Baker Award Recipient

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.

The Business & Partnership Award Recipient

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient

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.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient


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.

The awards presented will themselves be works of art by a local artist. The Arts Alliance’s Awards Committee is pleased to announce its Arts Awards Artist for 2015 is Mr. Jim Gleason. His sculptures are fabricated from the parts of many different musical instruments. Several of these instruments served many years in the South Carolina school system until they were no longer cost effective to service. “The urge to create combines with a reverence for musical instruments, and the desire to preserve whatever life remains in the parts and pieces of an instrument,” says Gleason in his artist statement. His work may be seen at http://jngleason.com. 

Awards will be presented at a special awards event in late spring. For more information about the FRAA’s Awards Program visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or contact Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407-3092. 

March 31: Florence Regional Arts Awards Submission Deadline

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance is currently seeking nominations from the community to recognize the important contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of the community. Nominations are requested from individuals and will be awarded by the Florence Regional Arts Alliances Board of Directors.  The submission deadline is March 31. 

To submit a nomination, community members are asked to either complete an online form at http://www.florenceartsalliance.org/awards/ or to compose and mail a statement to the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Written statements should indicate who is being nominated, for which award and a few statements describing why the nomination is being made. Those submitting nominations should provide their name and contact information as well, should their nomination be selected to receive an award. Nomination letters should be addressed to: The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, PO Box 3871 ,Florence, SC 29502-3871

Nominations from Florence County are requested from the public for the following categories: 

The John Baker Award Recipient

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.

The Business & Partnership Award Recipient

The Business and Arts Partnership Award recognizes a Florence County business for its vital commitment to the arts as evidence by operational and/or project support provided on a substantial and ongoing basis.

The Outstanding Arts Organization Recipient

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.

The Greg Fry Arts Educator Award Recipient


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.

The awards presented will themselves be works of art by a local artist. The Arts Alliance’s Awards Committee is pleased to announce its Arts Awards Artist for 2015 is Mr. Jim Gleason. His sculptures are fabricated from the parts of many different musical instruments. Several of these instruments served many years in the South Carolina school system until they were no longer cost effective to service. “The urge to create combines with a reverence for musical instruments, and the desire to preserve whatever life remains in the parts and pieces of an instrument,” says Gleason in his artist statement. His work may be seen at http://jngleaosn.com. 

Awards will be presented at a special awards event in late spring. For more information about the FRAA’s Awards Program visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or contact Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407-3092. 

Artwork by Mr. Jim Gleason

Second Thursdays of the Month: Artful Expression Group for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Artful Expression Group

for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Pablo Picasso

This Cancer Support Group is designed to help you learn to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression
• Improve self-esteem and overall feelings of self worth
• Increase social and communication activities
• Increase energy

Meets the second Thursdays of the month at the Florence County Museum

111 West Cheves Street

Thanks to sponsorship by the McLeod Health Foundation, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and the Florence County Museum, there is no cost to attend this session and supplies will be provided.

For more information, please contact: Raquel Serrano, 777-5695; Stuart Harrell, 777-6419 or Harriet Jeffords, 777-2042.

No art experience is necessary --

your willingness to express yourself is all you will need.

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance Announces Grant Recipients

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance's (FRAA) Board of Directors recently approved six grant awards regionally in the fourth quarter of its grants program.  Grant recipients are Gabriel Smallwood, the Lake City Community Theatre, the Lake City Early Childhood Center, Florence School District 4, the Florence Symphony Orchestra, and the Masterworks Choir. 

These upcoming funded projects have the potential to impact a wide range of ages beginning with Lake City's Early Childhood Center’s Fairytales Do Come True Project which teaches preschoolers to waltz through an artist in residence. Also in Lake City, the Community Theatre will be producing Disney’s Jungle Book Kids. Funding will help with the wide and diverse range of costuming needs in the production.  Florence School District 4’s Studio Project  will share the media arts throughout its district, providing students with hands on experiences. College bound, Gabriel Smallwood will pursue professional development as he continues to market himself as a musician and young composer. Finally, audiences of all ages  will benefit from the delightful upcoming performances of the Florence Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert and the Masterwork’s Choir May Concert. 

Partnering with the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is proud to be a behind the scenes support to organizations and artists through this program.  Uschi Jeffcoat, current executive director of the Arts Alliance reflects, “More and more, I am seeing a yearning, locally, to have artful encounters and creative conversations among all ages. The FRAA’s Grants Program helps make that happen.”

Designed to support a wide variety of quality arts projects, professional development opportunities for artists and arts administrators, the Arts Alliance has awarded almost $20,000 this fiscal year through its grants program. To be considered, organizations must be based in Florence County with a Florence County mailing address and be registered charitable organizations with federal non-profit status. Individual artists must be practicing artists and have a Florence County mailing address.

The FRAA raises local dollars to match funds. This year’s grants program had been supported locally through the generosity of Honda of South Carolina, individual donors and FRAA fundraising initiatives. The program is also funded in part 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, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the FRAA’s Quarterly Grants Program, visit www.florenceartsalliance.org or contact Mrs. Uschi Jeffcoat at director@florenceartsalliance.org or 843.407-3092.

February 13: A Valentine's to Die For

Small Works Art Competition Winners Announced

First Place: Paolo Andre' Guldi's The Swimmer

Second Place: Allison Triplett's Seeds

Third Place: Douglas Gray's Dusk Orange

Honorable Mention: Colleen Critcher's T-Rex Hungry for Gnomes

Four artists were recognized at an energy filled reception at the Art Trail Gallery, Thursday evening. Many young artists were present alongside their mentors as winners were announced. Paolo Andre' Gualdi’s  photograph titled The Swimmer  was awarded first place.  Juror Kara Warren noted, “The Swimmer exhibited great composition and expression as well as technique- In this photograph, a popular simple technique can create moving art as much as a technically difficult one can.” Additional awards went to FMU student, Allison Triplett, for Seeds (second place) and to Douglas Gray for Dusk Orange (third place). An honorable mention award, compliments of  Naturally Outdoors went to Colleen Critcher's painting T-Rex Hungry for Gnomes. The exhibit was well received by the public with many comments on the unique quality a Small Works Show brings in. Organized by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, the competition is underwritten by a generous gift given by International Knife and Saw, Inc. and is housed at the Art Trail Gallery at 185 West Evans Street through November 24. For more information on the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, its mission and future events visit www.florenceartsalliance.org.

December 6: A Christmas Market

November 3-December 5: Gnome: An Exhibition by Colleen A. Critcher

November 2: Biltmore Estate Preventive Conservationist to hold Lecture in Florence

before

after

Biltmore Estate Conservationist, Kara Warren will present a lecture at the Florence County Museum on Sunday, November 2 at 1 pm. Ms. Warren, a Preventive Conservation Specialist, focuses her efforts often on monitoring and organizing preventive care for objects that are particularly susceptible to damage. The lecture will focus on the specific treatment of pieces paired with before and after treatment images. It is followed by a brief question and answer session. Ms. Warren, an accomplished studio artist as well, has lectured nationwide at both universities and museums. The lecture is in conjunction with Ms. Warren’s visit to Florence to juror the Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s Small Works Show which will be on display at the Art Trail Gallery from October 28-November 20. Kara, a native of Hunstville, Alabama, brings with her a broad knowledge of art material,design and technique, gained through her work in art conservation and her experience as a working studio artist. Her work in conservation has also been influential in the direction of her personal art. Ms. Warren resides in Asheville, North Carolina  with her family. The lecture, sponsored by  the Florence Regional Arts Alliance in collaboration with the Florence County Museum’s staff,  is free and open to the public. The Florence County Museum is located at 111 West Cheves Street. For more information please contact Florence Regional Arts Alliance director, Uschi Jeffcoat at 843-407-3092 or visit www.florenceartsalliance.org.

November 6: Small Works Awards Reception

Awards will be presented to artists this evening. Juror Kara Warren selected 40 pieces from over 60 entries for this intimate collection of local talent. Kara is a native of Huntsville, Alabama and currently works as a Preventive Conservation Specialist for the historic Biltmore Estate. An artist, herself she has exhibited her work nationally and lectured on art and conservation in universities and museum campuses. 

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance invites you to see if your favorite works of art match the juror's selection. All artwork is for sale and benefits the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and the individual artist.

The show runs from October 28 through November 20. It is housed at the Art Trail Gallery at 185 West Evans Street in Florence.

This show is made possible by the generous support and donation of International Kinfe & Saw, Inc. Supporting the professional development of the artist, the arts community, the Florence Downtown effort and the Arts Alliance.

October 28-November 20: Small Works 2014

Small Works 2014 is a Juried Show featuring a compilation of 40 small pieces selected from a wide range of media and artists. The show aims to provide a place for the emerging artist to place alongside the professional artist. Prizes will be awarded at a reception on November 6 which begins at 5:30. All works which are no larger than 12" x 12" will be for sale supporting the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and the local artist.

The show will be housed in the Art Trail Gallery at 185 West Evans Street.
October 28-November 20
Awards Reception: November 6, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Hours by Elena Sannikova

Landscape and Portrait by Julie Mixon

Dusk Orange by Douglas Gray

Mountain in the Milky Way by Kathleen Kennebeck

Butterfly by Ivana Popovic Reay-Jones

Featured Artists and their Works:

Beach Music by Anne Baldwin

Sixteen by Caress Cauthen

Eye Spy by Alexandra Craig

Pink Gnome with Offering by Colleen Critcher

T-Rex Hungry for Gnomes by Colleen Critcher

Vision by Branson Dial

Cluster by Hayley Douglas

The Prickly Cactus by Lynda English

The Alley by Catrice Ezekial

Firendo by Gregory Fry

Dusk Orange by Douglas Gray

The Swimmer by Paolo Andre´ Gualdi

Mackinac Bellhop by Linda Humphries

T-Rex Hungry for Gnomes by Colleen Critcher

Mountain in the Milky Way by Kathleen Kennebeck

Solitude by Kathleen Kennebeck

Mr. Little by Nicholas Mariano

Contented Blues #1 byJulie Mixon

Landscape and Portrait by Julie Mixon

She Wore Two Braids by Julie Mixon

CC’s Piano by Suzanne Muldrow

I Left My Heart... by Ferebe Gasque Pearce

Waiting for Daddy by Ferebe Gasque Pearce

Let’s Dance by Gary Pearce

Butterfly by Ivana Popovic Reay-Jones

Royal Earring by Pamela Rhoads

Bluebird by Laurie Roche

Muir Woods by Walter Sallenger

Kitchen Sink by Laurie Roche

Muir Woods by Walter Sallenger

Hours by Elena Sannikova

Love One Another by Jim Slagle

Lake Lure by Jamie Stuckey

Sea Monster by Jordan Stuckey

Yellow Bird by Jordan Stuckey

The Shrimper by Barbara Terry

Remnants by Allison Triplett

Seeds by Allison Triplett

Sunripened 1 by Lisbeth Turner

Organized by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance the show is underwritten in its entirety by the incredibly generous support of International Knife and Saw, Inc. Thank you IKS for supporting the emergent and professional artist, the downtown economic development effort, the Arts Alliance and the community as a whole.