Fowle to Show in Philadelphia

Black Creek Arts Council would like to congratulate Patz Fowle for being juried into the 2010 exhibition, "FILL-adelphia". The show is organized by The Potters Council and is being held in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference.

The exhibit will be held at the A Show of Hands Gallery from March 19--April 30, 2010, with a public reception on April 2, 2010.

To learn more about the Potters Council, click here.

Musik Garten Classes Starting Soon

Musik Garten classes to be offered at Black Creek Arts Center starting October 20th and 21th. The classes will run for 8 weeks. Devvy Ridgill will be teaching the 3 learning sessions.

On Tuesdays, there will be two sessions of "Cycle of Seasons." This class is for ages 3-5. Available times are 4:00-4:45 and 5:00-5:45. The price for the class is $165, which includes the 10 classes and materials-a set of instruments, CD, bells and parent book.

On Wednesday mornings, "Family Music" will be held from 9:30-10:00 and is for newborns to 18months. The price for this class is $155 which includes the parent book, CD and baby instrument kit.

Please call Black Creek Arts Council for more info or to sign up for classes 843.332.6234

To read more about Musik Garten see their website http://www.musikgarten.org/

Ilona to Offer Four One-Day Workshops in October

Ilona's Hands by Suzanne Muldrow

IIlona Smithkin will kick off her 2009 Tour of South Carolina with a one-day oil painting workshop on October 10th. The workshop will take place from 9am to 4pm at the Black Creek Arts Center. This still-life workshop will be perfect for beginning and experienced painters. Cost for the workshop is $70 and lunch will be provided.

In addition to the oil painting workshop on October 10th, Ilona will also be leading three one-day workshops the following week. On Monday, October 12th, she will be leading a portrait workshop at the Arts Center from 9:30 – 12:30. The cost for the class is $35.

On Tuesday, Ilona will be in Darlington at Birds Of A Feather to lead a portrait workshop from 9:30 to 12:30. The cost for this workshop will also be $35. On Wednesday, Ilona will be back at the Black Creek Arts Center to lead a workshop on painting flowers. The cost for this workshop will also be $35 and it will last from 9:30 to 12:30.


Call the Black Creek Arts Center to sign up for any of these workshops, 843.332.6234.

Three Exhibits to Open October 1st in Hartsville

BCAC, Feury’s, and Library to Host Exhibits

Three art exhibits will debut on the same night in downtown Hartsville. The Black Creek Arts Center, Feury Fine Art, and the Hartsville Memorial Library will be hosting the new exhibits. A Gallery Crawl is scheduled for October 1st from 5-8pm.

The Black Creek Arts Center and Feury Fine Art will be hosting work by Watermedia artists. Watermedia is loosely defined as acrylic and watercolor painting. Among the artists on display will be Frankie Bush, Heidi Bond, Anna Coe, Pollie Bristow, Carolyn Swallow, Catherine Anderson, Marty Brown, Lynda English, and Jackie Wukela.

At the Hartsville Library will be work done by current and retired Sonoco employees. The library is hosting the Second Annual Sonoco Art Show.

The two watermedia exhibits are being held in conjunction with the South Carolina Watermedia Society’s annual retreat, which is being held in Florence this year. Darlington County is the home of the current President of the Watermedia Society, Pollie Bristow of Darlington.

The Arts Council, Library, and the Feury’s graciously invite everyone out for this exciting night of art openings. All venues are open to the public and have no admission charges.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC’s offices are housed in a state of the art 10,000 square foot facility at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. BCAC offers a variety of programs including art classes of all styles, after-school activities, pre-school aged programs, private music lessons, and various types of gallery exhibits. BCAC also offers assistance with arts management, funding, education, and program coordination to arts and cultural organizations in Darlington County.

Workshop Weekend Set For October 10th

Oil Painting, Watercolor, & Photoshop Elements Workshop Coming to BCAC

Above: Ilona Smithkin

Over the second weekend in October, the Black Creek Arts Center will be hosting three workshops: Oil Painting with Ilona Smithkin, Watercolors with Anne Patterson, and Photoshop Elements with Duane Childers.

Ilona Smithkin will kick off her 2009 Tour of South Carolina with a one-day oil painting workshop on October 10^th. The workshop will take place from 9am to 4pm at the Black Creek Arts Center. This still-life workshop will be perfect for beginning and experienced painters. Cost for the workshop is $70 and lunch will be provided.

Anne Patterson will be leading a watercolor workshop on October 9^th and 10^th. The two-day workshop will cost $150 (lunch provided on Saturday) and meets from 10am-4pm both days. Patterson’s workshop is going to focus on teaching participants what makes color vibrant and how to use color to create a calm and serene image. Patterson will also teach participants to become more expressive and adept in understanding the impact of color choices in watercolor paintings.

Above: A watercolor painting by Anne Patterson

Call the Black Creek Arts Center to register and get supply lists for these painting workshops, 843.332.6234.

Duane Childers will also be offering a workshop on October 10^th. Duane’s workshop is called Photoshop Elements for Football Widows. The workshop will meet on October 10^th and 17^th from 10am to 4pm. The cost for the class is $180, with a reduced fee for participants who already have Photoshop Elements 7. Lunch will be provided on October 10^th.

In addition to the oil painting workshop on October 10^th, Ilona will also be leading three one-day workshops the following week. On Monday, October 12^th, she will be leading a portraiture workshop at the Arts Center from 9:30 – 12:30. The cost for the class is $35.

On Tuesday, Ilona will be in Darlington at Birds Of A Feather to lead a portraiture workshop from 9:30 to 12:30. The cost for this workshop will also be $35. On Wednesday, Ilona will be back at the Black Creek Arts Center to lead a workshop on painting flowers. The cost for this workshop will also be $35 and it will last from 9:30 to 12:30.

Participants of Ilona’s workshops should plan to leave with a completed painting. Call the Black Creek Arts Center to register and get supply lists, 843.332.6234.

Ilona’s visit to Darlington County will conclude with the Long Lash Cabaret on October 17^th. Call the Arts Center for tickets, 843.332.6234.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC’s offices are housed in a state of the art 10,000 square foot facility at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. BCAC offers a variety of programs including art classes of all styles, after-school activities, pre-school aged programs, private music lessons, and various types of gallery exhibits. BCAC also offers assistance with arts management, funding, education, and program coordination to arts and cultural organizations in Darlington County.

Three Exhibits to Open on October 1st

Arts Center, Library, and Feury Fine Art to Open New Exhibits

Three art exhibits will debut on the same night in downtown Hartsville. The Black Creek Arts Center, Feury Fine Art, and the Hartsville Memorial Library will be hosting the new exhibits. A Gallery Crawl is scheduled for October 1^st from 5-8pm.

The Black Creek Arts Center and Feury Fine Art will be hosting work by Watermedia artists. Watermedia is loosely defined as acrylic and watercolor painting. Among the artists on display will be Frankie Bush, Heidi Bond, Anna Coe, Pollie Bristow, Carolyn Swallow, Catherine Anderson, Marty Brown, Lynda English, and Jackie Wukela.

At the Hartsville Library will be work done by current and retired Sonoco employees. The library is hosting the Second Annual Sonoco Art Show.

The two watermedia exhibits are being held in conjunction with the South Carolina Watermedia Society’s annual retreat, which is being held in Florence this year. Darlington County is the home of the current President of the Watermedia Society, Pollie Bristow of Darlington.

The Arts Council, Library, and the Feury’s graciously invite everyone out for this exciting night of art openings. All venues are open to the public and have no admission charges.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC’s offices are housed in a state of the art 10,000 square foot facility at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. BCAC offers a variety of programs including art classes of all styles, after-school activities, pre-school aged programs, private music lessons, and various types of gallery exhibits. BCAC also offers assistance with arts management, funding, education, and program coordination to arts and cultural organizations in Darlington County.

Long Lash Cabaret set for October 17th

Smithkin, Local Talent to Give Performance to Benefit Darlington County's Arts Council

Ilona Smithkin will be returning to the Black Creek Arts Center for the second annual Long Lash Cabaret. On October 17^th, Hartsville’s College Avenue will be bustling with talented entertainers from the local area and one electric octogenarian from New York City.

Ilona, along with a variety of local talent, will transform the gallery at the Arts Center into a cabaret, all for the benefit of the Arts Council. Ilona will be performing songs originally recorded by Marlene Dietrich. Joining Ilona in the night’s entertainment will be Greg Best, Jim Beaumier, Roger Simpson, Tracy Price, Dustin Moree, Al Haynes, Ron Price, Jana Longfellow, Craig Beshures, Dyana Marrero Flax, Joyce Beasley, Melinda Byrd, Cheryl Smith and perhaps a couple of surprises.

The Long Lash Cabaret will begin at 6:30 with appetizers and drinks. The show will get underway at 7:00. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Black Creek Arts Center located at 116 W. College Avenue or by phone at 843.332.6234. Ticket prices are $40 for individuals and $75 for couples. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC’s offices are housed in a state of the art 10,000 square foot facility at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. BCAC offers a variety of programs including art classes of all styles, after-school activities, pre-school aged programs, private music lessons, and various types of gallery exhibits. BCAC also offers assistance with arts management, funding, education, and program coordination to arts and cultural organizations in Darlington County.

BCAC Receives Support From State Arts Commission

BCAC RECIEVES GRANT FROM S.C ARTS COMMISSION

Black Creek Arts Council (BCAC) has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the South Carolina Arts Commission. The two-year grant will support BCAC’s off-site events, programs, and projects.

BCAC has announced partnerships with the Darlington Library, Birds Of A Feather of Darlington, and the City of Darlington in conjunction with the grant. Through these collaborative efforts, BCAC will offer arts education classes, rotating exhibits, and educational workshops. “This funding speaks directly to our mission of promoting and fostering the Arts in the communities of Darlington County,” said Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of BCAC.

Local residents can see how the Arts Commission grant and local funds are benefiting Black Creek Arts Council by visiting the Allard A. Alston Conference Room at the Darlington County and viewing the rotating exhibits or stopping by Birds Of A Feather for a tour of the facility and to get information about upcoming classes. Visit www.blackcreekarts.org for more information.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission is working to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artistic development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina and by the federal government though the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC’s offices are housed in a state of the art 10,000 square foot facility at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. BCAC offers a variety of programs including art classes of all styles, after-school activities, pre-school aged programs, private music lessons, and various types of gallery exhibits. BCAC also offers assistance with arts management, funding, education, and program coordination to arts and cultural organizations in Darlington County.

Three Creeks Visual Artisans Alliance Exhibit at the Darlington Library

Penny's Peaches by Donald Wayne Chavis

Now through the end of October, paintings by members of The Three Creeks Visual Artisans Alliance will be on display at the Darlington Library.

The Three Creeks Visual Artisans Alliance is made up of artists and artisans from Marlboro County. On display in the libary are paintings by: Donald Wayne Chavis, Patricia Gehm, Carolyn Karn, Martha C. Rankin, Janice Rozier, Johnsie Stidd, and R. Thomas Wimberly.

This exhibit is made possible through collaboration by Black Creek Arts Council and the Darlington Library. Funding for this exhibit and future exhibits in the Allard A. Alston Conference Room through the aforementioned partnership has been provided by the South Carolina Arts Commission.

For more information about The Three Creek Visual Artisans Alliance, click here.

Photography Classes with Duane Childers

Duane Childers will be leading the following photography classes in September and October:

Beginning Photography will be taught on Mondays from September 14th through October 19th. The class will take place from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Black Creek Arts Center. The cost is $95.

Childers' Beginning Photography Class is also appropriate as a refresher class.

Beginning Photography for Football Widows will take place over two Saturdays, September 12th & 19th. The class will begin at 10am and end at 4pm. The cost for the class is $85. This class is perfect for women who have husbands perched in front of a TV all weekend during the Fall.

Photoshop Elements for Football Widows will take place over two Saturdays, October 10th & 17th. The class will begin at 10am and end at 4pm.

The cost for Photoshop Elements is $180. If you already have Photoshop Elements 7, the price is reduced to $100.

Call Bruce at the Arts Center to register for these photography classes, 843.332.6234.

Not Your Average Jones

For the month of September, photographer Cliff Jones will have work on display at Hartsville Memorial Library. Cliff Jones....that sure is an average name.

Average is not a word to be used when describing Cliff Jones.

Above: I Can't Read Your Writing Spider

After spending a few minutes in Hartsville Memorial Libary's Serpentine Gallery, it is obvious that Cliff's talents behind a lens are amazing. A closer look at the labels that accompany his photographs let you know that Cliff also has a way with words.

"If I can entertain or make someone smile with any of my photos then I have done my job," says the Hartsville-native about his photos. Smile you will do if you visit this exhibit. Cliff's clever titles and light-hearted approach to photography are refreshing and, well, anything but average; proving Cliff is not your average Jones.

Above: Kudzu Colosseum
Most people venture to Rome to see the Colosseum. Not Cliff Jones. He found it right here in the rural South.

Cliff Jones is a avid baseball fan and currently resides in Hartsville with his wife, Beth, and children, Kira and Noah.

Cliff recently won two awards at The Carolinas II photography contest. He received first place in the Images of Darlington County category and won one of the two People's Choice Awards. The Carolinas II was a community photography exhibit presented by Black Creek Arts Council and Hartsville Memorial Library and sponsored by Sonoco.

Hartsville Memorial Library is located 147 W. College Ave. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 8pm and Fridays from 9am to 5pm. On weekends, the library is open on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm.

Cliff can be reached via email at cliff@bones13.com or visit him on the web at www.bones13.com.

A Closing Quote from Cliff:

You can’t take yourself too serious, you must have some fun with everything you do. I think Ferris Bueller said it best, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”