There’s been nothing like it “in these parts” before, and every indication is that ArtFields, a Southern art fest coming to Lake City, SC from April 19-28, 2013, is going to be an epic event – and an epic success. Brainchild of Darla Moore, a powerhouse business woman born in Lake City, this event is equal parts grassroots and sheer vision.
Amateur and established artists are competing for an impressive $100,000 in cash prizes! Between eight and nine hundred artists submitted two- and three-dimensional artwork for inclusion; roughly half were actually chosen. In and of itself, that detail means attendees will be treated to a smorgasbord of compelling talent.
Local businesses, municipal buildings, parks and other sites in the quaint, albeit largely agricultural, town of Lake City, SC will serve as venues for artists hailing from no less than a dozen Southeastern states –Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, both Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Some of the artists are from ’round here…. Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, and Myrtle Beach. Their work is featured on this page. Winning entries will be determined by votes from ArtFields attendees and a juried panel.
In addition to the art competition itself, the ten-day event will feature a Portrait Battle, live music concerts, dancing, delicious Southern food and a whole lot more than there is space to share. An exciting variety of workshops are available to the public – plein air clinics, artists’ lectures, open-mic’ conversations and a Farmer’s Market.
My friend, Chris Thomas, a Pawleys Island artist who was accepted for his fantastic birdhouse creation “Crutches Cathedral” – made from found and cast-off materials – said: “I am proud to be a part of an event that celebrates the importance of art. Art cultivates creativity and creativity fuels the innovation that plays a vital role in community growth.” Check out more of Chris’s work at his “PLUNDERWARE” booth at Harvest Commons or on his website: www.PlunderWare.com
Another Grand Strand artist, Catherine Kresken from North Myrtle Beach, expressed her excitement by saying: “When I understood the details, I knew this first year would be the beginning of one the biggest shows in the Southeast in the future. Now I can always say I am part of Artfields…”
The ArtFields Art Competition will award one Top Prize of $50,000, a People’s Choice prize
of $25,000 and a Juried Panel prize of $25,000. Everyone who’s ever been – or loved – a proverbial
“starving artist” knows that’s not peanuts! These are the largest cash prizes of any Southeastern art contest. All Artfest attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite artist so as
to help them win a share of th
at $100,000.
I wish I could go to Lake City every day this week and vote for Chris’s masterpiece, but
alas, someone has to sell some real estate around here.
Check out the website www.ArtfieldsSC.org to learn how to vote and for up-to-the-minute announcements! Do make plans to attend; you’ll suffer no regret. Remember the word “epic,” because it’s the perfect word for this one-of-a-kind event.
From DeBordieu and Pawleys Island, there are three easy ways to get to Lake City, which is about 24 miles south of Florence.
Once in Georgetown, (1) Take Hwy 51 North, (2) take Hwy 521 to Hwy 527,
or (3) take 521 North which will add about 10 minutes, but will probably be the easiest way to get there. Each way takes about an hour.
We’re planning on taking a caravan of Chris Thomas fans to vote for “Crutches Cathedral” Saturday, April 27. I hope to see you there!
