Opening May 13th in Cheraw: Suzy Spencer at the Burr Gallery

The Cheraw Arts Commission will present an exhibit by Suzy Spencer at the Burr Gallery during May. The public is invited to come and meet the artist at an exhibit opening reception on Tuesday, May 13 from 5:00-6:30pm.

Suzy's interest in art was evident at an early age when creating artwork of her brother. As an adult, Suzy shared a love of art with her students as a special needs educator. A newcomer to the area, Suzy moved to Cheraw in September 2013 from Shepardstown, West Virginia where she was an active member of the "Friday Painters" of Shepardstown.

The May exhibit will feature earlier works of portraits, drawings, batiks and more. Recently, Suzy has been busy creating watercolor paintings that have been inspired by the beauty of local flora in Cheraw. The exhibit will be displayed throughout May at the Cheraw Community Center- 200 Powe Street. Burr Gallery hours are 8:30am-5:00pm - Monday-Friday.

Contact the Cheraw Arts Commission for additional information - 843.537.8420 x 12. The Cheraw Arts Commission is supported by the United Way of Chesterfield County and the SC Arts Commission which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

March 5th: Shakespeare comes to Cheraw!

The Cheraw Arts Commission presents The Barter Players in one of Shakespeare's most powerful plays, Macbeth, on Wednesday, March 5 at the Theatre on the Green in Cheraw.  Jealousy, schemes, and intrigue reign as Macbeth and his wife reach for the king's crown.

 

What are they willing to sacrifice to get what they want? What price will they pay for getting it? This one-hour version uses only Shakespeare's language and is an incredible look inside the heart of ambition.  The 7:00pm performance is for students 9th grade through adults. 

 

Opening in 1933, The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA is one of the longest-running professional theatres in the nation. During the Great Depression patrons unable to buy 40 cent tickets were allowed to exchange their food products for admission to theatre performances, hence the name Barter.

 

Advance tickets are available at the Cheraw Community Center - 200 Powe Street.  Tickets are $8.00/Students-$10/Adult CAC Members and $12 Adult/Non-Members.  Contact the Cheraw Arts Commission 843.537.8420 x 12 for additional information.

The Cheraw Arts Commission is supported by the SC Arts Commission which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the United Way of Chesterfield County.

Cheraw Arts Commission offers Holiday classes for all ages!

Create Enameled Ornaments for friends & family!

The Cheraw Arts Commission presents an evening of Ornament making with metal artist Beth Wicker onThursday, December 19th. The workshop will be held at the Cheraw Community Center from 6:00-9:00pm. This class is appropriate for adults & students 9th grade & up. Registration is $20/person with all supplies included. Pre-registration is recommended- call CAC 843.537.8420 x 12.

Participants will use traditional glass enamel powder to create enameled Christmas ornaments on copper. A variety of basic techniques will be demonstrated, and each participant will be able to select 2 copper ornaments to enamel. No experience is necessary for this fun technique, but the process has several steps and may require the entire allotted time.

Holiday vacation activities for kids!

Children's Ornament Classes 

Friday, December 20 - Kids ages 10+ can create 1 enameled ornament from 9:00am-12:00noon with artist Beth Wicker. Cost for the class is $8.00
with all supplies provided. Call the CAC 843.537.8420 x 12 for registration.


Let It Snow..... Let It Snow.... Cookies!

It's Snowing Cookies- Friday, December 20- Kids ages 4 years & up - 3:00-4:30pm - Gigi's Sweet Tooth Shop- 106 Duval Street- Cheraw
We will be rolling, cutting out, baking and decorating snowflake and snowman cookies!! - Registration is required- Fee $5.00 - Call CAC 843.537.8420 x 12

Upcoming Holiday Events in Cheraw

Lindsey Bennett of the Cheraw Arts Commission sent us some information about upcoming holiday events in Cheraw.  Check out the info below for more information!

Sorry, Wrong Chimney- Nov 29-Dec 2 - Theatre on the Green - Cheraw - presented by On Stage Theatre Group

ChristmasFest in Cheraw - Sat., Dec 1 begins at 12:00noon - fireworks at dusk

Cheraw Arts Commission- Oh, Christmas Tree - Festival of Trees - Centennial Park - Downtown Cheraw - Dec 1 - Jan 1

Cheraw Arts Commission - Who-ville in Cheraw-ville - Sat. Dec 1 - 11am - Theatre on the Green- Dress like Who-ville citizen

Classic cartoon featuring the GRINCH! - $5 includes cocoa & cookie

Cheraw Arts Commission Twilight Concert featuring Hartsville Chamber Ensemble - Friday, Dec. 7 - 6:30pm Old St David's Church-Cheraw

$8 Students & CAC Members & $10 non-members

Contact Lindsey Bennett at lbennett@cheraw.com.  

October 18th to 21st in Cheraw: The South Carolina Jazz Festival

Be-Bopping in Cheraw, SC at the South Carolina Jazz Festival

The 2012 South Carolina Jazz Festival weekend is a little more than a month away.  Committee members have been planning since January for the October 18-21 celebration in Cheraw.   This year marks the festival’s seventh year to celebrate jazz and the birthday of Cheraw native, Dizzy Gillespie.

There are activities planned during the weekend for all ages– the annual Dizzy Gillespie Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament, Be-bop parade, art, kids’ activities, a chalk competition, in-school performances, 5K Run/Walk by Faith Christian Academy, a Jazzy Breakfast with the Cheraw Rescue Squad, and a Jazz Luncheon hosted by the Southern African American Heritage Center.  Of course, jazz will abound at numerous venues- Centennial Park, restaurants, schools, Wesley United Methodist Church, Gillespie Homesite Park, and the Theatre on the Green.

 

A new addition is an evening concert on Thursday, October 18 featuring trumpet player Joe Gransden. Evening Jazz on the Town Green begins at 6:30pm.  Attendees should bring lawn chairs and enjoy some jazz under the stars at this free event.   Also new this year is Picnic at the Gillespie Home Site Park at Huger Street on Sunday at 12:30pm. A new piece of sculpture for the park will be revealed during the picnic.  Long Middle School students have created this Dizzy inspired piece with South Carolina metal artist, Bob Doster.

 

For the fifth year, the weekend celebration concludes on Sunday afternoon with a Jazz Mass sponsored by the Cheraw Ministerial Association. Wesley United Methodist Church hosts this year's mass at 3:00pm featuring local voices with a Community Jazz Choir. 

 

Students at Cheraw schools will enjoy some jazz with in-school performances on Thursday, October 18.  The Air Force Academy Falconaires Big Bandfrom Colorado Springs, Colorado will perform at Cheraw High and at Long Middle School, while area musician Rakim McQueen performs at Cheraw Primary and Intermediate Schools.  Performances at the Theatre on the Green are also planned for students throughout the week.

Jazz at the Theatre on the Green will feature the 2009 Grammy Nominated Best Jazz Vocalist Kate McGarry on Friday the 19^th.  Think Jazz Orchestra, a tour de force showcases the talents of eight of South Carolina's finest jazz musicians on Saturday evening at the Theatre.  Theatre seating is limited on both nights. Tickets for these evening concerts are available at the Cheraw Community Center-200 Powe Street prior to the weekend or can be purchased on www.scjazzfestival.com.  Remaining tickets will be sold at Market Hall during the festival.  Single Night tickets are $20 and weekend passes for both nights are $35. 

 

The 7^th annual SC Jazz Festival offers something for everyone, so Be-bop on down to Cheraw for lots of jazz and fun.  For a complete event line-up, visit www.scjazzfestival.com or call 843.537.8420for additional information.

May 6th - 11th: Artist & Sculptor Gilewicz to be Artist-in-Residence in Cheraw

New York artist and sculptor, Albert Gilewicz, will be the featured artist-in-residence at Cheraw State Park from May 6th through May 11th.

During his time in Cheraw, his work will be featured at the Burr Gallery in the Cheraw Community Center.  The Cheraw Arts Commission will have an exhibit opening of the artist's Sustainable Sculpture Series and paintings from his E-5 on US 1 project on Monday, May 7 - 5:00-6:30pm at the Burr Gallery. The public is invited to the opening and meet the artist, Albert Gilewicz. 

The Sustainable Sculpture Series consists of soapstone carvings where all of the material is used. The E-5 on US 1 project explores the impact of climate change on South Carolina with specific focus on Water, Energy and Lifestyle. The underlying theme revolves around the economy, environment, ethics, education, and energy. 

There will also be the opportunity to have lunch with the visiting artist on Thursday, May 10th:

 

Gilewicz will present Reducing Your Carbon Footprint during a brown-bag luncheon at Cheraw State Park.

 

Gilewicz's presentation will take place from noon to 1pm at the House on the Hill in Cheraw State Park.  Pack a lunch; drinks and desserts will be provided.  There will be the opportunity to view Gilewicz's work in progress.  

To register, call:  537.8420 x12. 

For more information about Gilewicz's visit and other opportunities through the Cheraw Arts Commission, contact Lindsay Bennett: lbennett@cheraw.com.