Student Exhibit to Open at Coker on March 29th

Emily Dornburg's Senior Show to Open on 3/29

in

Coker College's Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery

Emily Dornburg’s senior show is the the second of eight senior exhibitions in March and April. Emily’s exhibition of drawings and paintings opens with a reception Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00PM, in the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery. The reception is free, open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Her show remains on display through April 2.

Senior exhibitions are a tradition at Coker College, and they represent the culmination of four years of study. This year, our seniors will be offering a rich variety of work that includes drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media installation. During March and April, our seniors will exhibit in six separate shows, and each will have a reception from 7:00 to 8:00PM on the Monday of each week’s exhibition.

Donate to BCAC's Green Campaign

Learn more about The Green Campaign by clicking here.

Reclaimed, Recycled, Hardware Store Jewelry Class - May 8th

Erica Stankwytch-Bailey, one of the artists featured in BCAC's Green Exhibit, will be leading a jewelry-making class on May 8th at the Black Creek Arts Center.

A Note from Erica:

Let's have fun!!! This workshop will combine a variety of unique techniques and materials. Using re-purposed objects (tin cans, old jewelry, buttons, bottle caps, etc.) and cool stuff from the Hardware store we will create some great objects. From cold connections to forging we will explore numerous traditional metalsmithing techniques and apply them to alternative materials. Earrings, necklaces and/or bracelets can be created, but these techniques and materials can also be translated into non-wearable objects.. Come and join us- this will be blast. Bring any old bits you have laying around, we may be able to turn them into something.

The class will meet from 9am to 5pm.

The cost for the class is $125. There is a strict registration deadline of April 30th. Call the Black Creek Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

To view Erica's website, click here. Erica also has a blog devoted to the workshops she teaches.

Erica's Workshop Blog

Return to BCAC Home Page

New Group for Photographers to Form in Darlington County

Darlington County Photography Club

The first meeting of the Darlington County Photography Club will be Thursday, April 15th at the Black Creek Arts Center. The group will meet at 7pm. Anyone interested in photography is invited attend this organizational meeting.

Beginners and experienced photographers are wanted.

This initial meeting will be to uncover the interests and needs of area photographers. The group plans to meet monthly. Call Bruce Douglas at the Black Creek Arts Center for more information, 843.332.6234.

The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville.

Canvas of the People Recap

The South Carolina Arts Commission held one of its seven 2010 Canvas of the People meetings at the Black Creek Arts Center on March 22nd. BCAC would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed. Below is a recap of the discussion from the meeting:

What is one thing that is working in the arts, either in your community, the state or elsewhere?

• Arts incubator – Moore, NC
• Spoleto
• Local community getting together
• Florence – new buildings
• Artists crawl – Hartsville
• Weldon Auditorium in Clarendon County – new facility; county council behind it
• Providing leadership for a lot of people to be involved - Hartsville
• Classes for all ages in Hartsville and Darlington – visual arts
• Black Creek Arts Council – spreading info, coordinating
• S.C. Arts Commission – keeps the arts community informed statewide
• Cooperation – public/private partnerships
• Darlington School District – business in the arts award
• School exhibits outside schools
• Singing in churches is going strong, especially black churches. History and culture of black churches supports learning recitations, poetry
• Funding mechanisms are clear, e.g. from Black Creek Arts Center and Byerly Foundation
• Good collaborations between arts organizations and the various arts discipline organization in Hartsville and Florence
• A number of free events; Coker and Francis Marion
• Technology is helping everyone to be more aware of what’s going on and cross promote
• National historical marker/exhibit – Coker Farms in Hartsville – brings in outside visitors
• Partnership between library and museum
• Community players, high school theatre and music – extra curricular
• Volunteers
  

What is one of the biggest challenges facing the arts?

• Funding – salaries, utilities, programs
• Members don’t have the time or money to commit
• Lack of visibility and communication
• Budget cuts at school district
• How to educate and raise awareness, developing audiences for higher-level work
• Inclusive – cross race barriers
• Finite pool of donors – corporations
• Inclusive more people to learn/ serve
• How to cultivate younger volunteers 30-50
• Declining funding = fewer opportunities for younger people
• Do people really understand the value of K-12 arts education?
• Change perception; people don’t fully grasp the value that an arts education provides to all other skills; arts are co-curricular, not extra-curricular
• Emphasis on making money vs. well-rounded education; need to change mindset of public education system
• Recognize that the arts can serve underserved and underprivileged populations and improve academic success
• Rural/geography- Cheraw, e.g. doesn’t have a college; it’s challenging to attract artists for events – it costs more to get those artists; hard to get people to come to a rural area
• Sometimes the arts are seen as elite
• Competing with sports for audiences; young people’s ideas of entertainment is different from ours; it’s our job to education the young to create new consumers
• Disabled folks are underserved
• Some children don’t have basic arts supplies in the home

What is a great opportunity for the arts in our state?

• Developing heritage corridor/ Gullah-Geechee corrodor; take advantage of ethnic tourism (fastest growing area of tourism)
• Family reunion market
• Artisans + “trails” model – promotes cities and artists
• Link with historic preservation
• Raise level of arts training – work with university and colleges to train world-class artists
• cultivating arts culture – in home, civic, public arenas
• Recognize/take advantage of home-grown talent
• Promote S.C. as an “arts state” vs. regional approach. We have not set out to be a state with an image/focus.
• advantage of the weather, long season for outdoor events
• Need a “buy local” campaign for the arts
• S.C. Arts Commission and PRT should partner; tap into tourism, put arts into the state tourism plan
• Get the word out more
• Cross the digital divide
• S.C. Arts Commission should toot its own horn more; put S.C. Arts Commission on TV – have its own show?
• Students can study with living artists in schools

What did you like or not like about this forum?

Likes:

• Food
• Everyone had a chance to give input
• Organized
• Facilitator
• Comfortable location

Dislikes

• Questions were too broad
• Need more diverse SCAC staff here
• How was this meeting promoted?

Pre-Order Your Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ T-Shirt

$15

for the official shirt of Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ 2010

Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL available.

Call Bruce Douglas at the Black Creek Arts Center, 843.332.6234

or

Order Online Now

For more information about Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ, click here.

T-Shirt design by Nate Gulledge: nategulledge@gmail.com

The Green Exhibit Opens April 8th

When looking for supplies, most artists go to an art supply store, perhaps Hobby Lobby or an online warehouse like Dick Blick or Cheap Joe's. Not Mike Fowle.

Fowle's supplies usually come from the Salvation Army, the junk yard, or in the case of Spring Chicken, the side of a dirt road. Fowle's found art and art from repurposed objects have found a home at the Black Creek Arts Center (rather than the Island of Misfit Toys). Along with incredible creations of Munsey Millaway, Erica Stankwytch-Bailey and The Streeters of Pop's Glass, Fowle will be a part of The Green Exhibit.

The Green Exhibit will open with a reception on April 8th from 5-7pm at BCAC. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. Featuring Fowle, the exhibit will also highlight Stankwytch-Bailey's jewelry, Millaway's birdhouses, and the ecological glassware of the Streeters.

The Green Exhibit will remain on display through April 29th. The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 W. College Ave. in Hartsville and is open 10-1 & 3-6 Tuesday through Thursday and 11-3 on Fridays.

For more information about The Green Exhibit, contact Bruce Douglas at 843.332.6234.

Free Friday with Mike Fowle on April 9th

Local green artist & sculptor Mike Fowle will be leading a "Green Art Making" class on Friday, April 9th from 11:00-12:00. The class is open to the first 15 students to sign up. Ages 13 to 18 preferred.



In the class students will use recyled materials to create a unique masterpiece. Remember space is limited, so act quickly to reserve your spot. Call the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234 to sign up.

Mike Fowle will be the featured artist for BCAC's Green Exhibit, which opens on April 8th at 5pm.

Click here to learn about Barbara Watson's Free Pottery Demo

Watson to Give Free Pottery Demo on April 17th

On Saturday, April 17th, Barbara Watson will give a free pottery demonstration. After the demo, Barbara is going to give visitors the opportunity to throw on the wheel.

If pottery is something you have always wanted to try, April 17th will be a great day to give it a chance. Drop in between the hours of 1pm and 4pm at the Black Creek Arts Center (located at 116 W. College Ave. in Hartsville).

Barbara will also organize one-on-one classes if visitors are interested in more instruction.

For more information, call Bruce Douglas at the Black Creek Arts Center, 843.332.6234.

Click here for information on Mike Fowle's Free Friday on April 9th.

Monthly Metals with Beth Wicker

On April 1st, Beth Wicker will be leading two jewelry-making workshops; one for kids and one for adults (scroll down). To sign up, call Bruce Douglas at the Black Creek Arts Center, 843.332.6234.

MONTHLY METALS FOR KIDS
3:30 - 4:30
$20

We will create a copper pendant with hammered textures. Students will learn to mark on metal, cut the metal, file the metal and to create textures with hammers and metal stamps.

Each student will complete one copper pendant.

At the end of class, we will discuss project options for the next month.

Additional project options will include bracelets, earrings, pendants, and cold connection stone setting.

MONTHLY METALS FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Price: The price is determined by the metal used. Contact BCAC for price info, 843.332.6234.

This month the class chose to make textured disc earrings. You have the choice of making them in copper, brass or sterling silver. Each student will learn to use the Pepe Disc Cutter to cut their discs out of sheet metal. They will then texture the discs using metal stamps and hammers. Next they will have the option to dome the discs in a dapping block using dapping punches.

Students may make more than one pair of earrings for an additional cost per pair. Students will also learn to make their own ear wires for their earrings.

At the end of class, we will discuss project options for the next month.

Click here to return to the Arts Education Home Page.

Oil Painting with Vicky McLain - April 10th

Instructor Vicky McLain will be returning to the Black Creek Arts Center to offer an oil painting workshop on Saturday, April 10 from 9am to 2pm.

In this workshop, students will be painting a scene with azaleas.

The cost for the workshop is $40. Click here for a list of supplies for the class.

Please bring along a bag lunch.

To sign up for classes, please call the Black Creek Arts Center, 843.332.6234.

Click here to go back to the Arts Education Home Page.

Watercolors with Bob Feury - Begins April 12th

Bob Fuery will be leading a Watercolor Class on Monday evenings over 4 weeks beginning April 12th.

This will be a class to explore color, composition, balance and textures. The group will work on a painting of a rural barn scene.

Classes will take place at the Black Creek Arts Center from 7 to 9pm on April 12, 19, 26 and May 3. The cost for the class is $75.

Call Bruce Douglas at the Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

Click here to view a suggested list of supplies.

Click here to go back to the Arts Education Home Page.

Watercolors with Frankie Bush on April 5th

Frankie Bush will be leading a Watercolor Workshop on April 5th from 10am to 2pm at the Black Creek Arts Center. The cost for the workshop is $40. Click here for the supply list.


Call Bruce Douglas at the Black Creek Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

Click here to go to the Arts Education Home Page.

2010 Canvas of the People in Hartsville

What: 2010 Canvas of the People
Where: The Black Creek Arts Center, 116 W. College Ave., Hartsville
When: 6:45 to 8:00 on Monday, March 22nd

Who: The South Carolina Arts Commission and You

Why: The South Carolina Arts Commission is traveling the state to hear what people have to say about the Arts and, specifically, how they feel the Arts fit into their community. Admission to this meeting is free. Everyone is invited to attend.

Darlington County is one of only seven stops on the Arts Commission's tour.

For more information, contact Bruce Douglas at 843.332.6234.

Explore Art

with Mike & Patz Fowle

Darlington County Artists Mike & Patz Fowle will be leading two weeks of camps in June.

The week-long camps will spend four days at the Fowle's Studio learning, experiencing, and creating with two amazing teachers and artists. The last day of camp will take place at the Black Creek Arts Center and culminate in a gallery show.

June 7th through 11th will be for grades 5k through 5th. June 14th through 18th will be for grades 6 through 12.

Cost for the camp is $100. Each day will last from 9-2pm. Lunch will be provided.

Call the Black Creek Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

Click here for images from last year's Explore Art.

Art Camp in July

at the Black Creek Arts Center

The Black Creek Arts Center will be hosting two week-long camps for young people in July.

The 3rd Annual Camp Creative will be held during the weeks of July 19-23 and 26-30. The first week will be for rising 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th graders. The second week will be for rising 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th graders.

Bethany Perry will be leading the team-taught camp. Camp Creative will take place from 9:30 to 12:30 daily. Cost for the camp is $50. Additional information will be released soon.

Call the Black Creek Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

Click here for images from last year's Camp Creative.

Important Community Meeting to be held at Black Creek on March 22nd

The 2010 Canvas of the People Meeting to be held at the Black Creek Arts Center on Monday, March 22nd from 6:45 to 8:00pm is a very important meeting for the future of the Arts in our community, region, and state. The South Carolina Arts Commission is seeking input on their ten-year strategic plan.

Fortunately for Darlington County, we were chosen as a host site for one of the seven meetings. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to be heard.

This is a great opportunity for all community leaders to come together and have an impact on the strategic planning of a statewide organization (and I'll be there listening to your comments, concerns, wants, needs, desires, and criticisms so the impact will definitely be felt on the County level).

For those of you who don't consider yourselves to be "Arts people", take a look at this study about the economic impact of the Arts. If you're not an Arts person, maybe you are a business person. We want you here too.

If you have questions about the 2010 Canvas of the People, feel free to call or email me.

-Bruce

Bruce Douglas
Executive Director
Black Creek Arts Council of Darlington County
843.332.6234
bartscounc@aol.com

The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville.

Job Opening with Black Creek Arts Council

Black Creek Arts Council of Darlington County is seeking to fill the position of Director of Marketing and Communication & Facility Manager. The position requires a dynamic leader who is also a self-starter and community-minded. This is a full-time position.

Resumes and cover letters should be emailed to blackcreekarts@gmail.com or mailed to:

BCAC

PO Box 24

Hartsville, SC 29551

This position requires a Bachelor's degree. Evening and weekend hours are necessary. Weekday hours will be Tuesday through Thursday 10-1 & 3-6 and Fridays 10-1.

In addition to maintaining the facility, the position will be responsible for coordinating arts education classes, event planning, marketing, and record-keeping.

Close Date: March 25th

Black Creek Arts Council is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the expressed mission of promoting and fostering the Arts in Darlington County. BCAC has offices at the Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville.

Questions: Email blackcreekarts@gmail.com

Black Creek Arts Council's Subgranting Program

Black Creek Arts Council operates a Subgranting Program that funds projects and programs in all arts disciplines. The funding is available to non-profit organizations and individual artists in Darlington County.

BCAC provided funding for the following events:

Lamar's Art in Park Series through the Friends of the Lamar Library

American Spiritual Ensemble through the Hartsville-Coker Concert Association

Tian Yang through the Hartsville-Coker Concert Association

Deathtrap presented by the Hartsville Community Players

Programming for Get Creative for the Darlington County Library

Jazz! Carolina for Hartsville Downtown Development Association

Renofest for Hartsville Downtown Development Association

O Happy Day presented by the Hartsville Community Players

The Hartsville Civic Chorale's Christmas Concert

Mural painted by Patz Fowle at the Hartsville Memorial Library

Mural in downtown Lamar through the Darlington Chamber of Commerce


BCAC also funded eleven artist residencies in Darlington County schools through its Arts-In-Education Program.

Click the link to see BCAC's Subgranting Deadlines.

Call or email Bruce Douglas for an application, 843.332.6234 or bartscounc@aol.com.

BCAC's Increased Efforts in Darlington

Over the past 18 months, Black Creek Arts Council has increased its presence in Darlington. In recognizing that BCAC was falling short of its mission, efforts have been made (and are ongoing) to raise awareness of events and opportunities in Darlington.

As part of its efforts, BCAC has:

• presented the Artist Crawl in April 2009
• sponsored a dinner theatre at Birds Of A Feather in February 2010
• facilitated the DeVa Gantt Book Signing at Birds Of A Feather in February 2010
• funded projects by the Darlington County Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Darlington County Library
• presented art shows at the Darlington County Library since October 2008; currently on display is artwork by Meredith Fields
• facilitated arts education classes at Birds Of A Feather
• been responsible for the formation of the Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail, which has several artists from Darlington on its roster

BCAC welcomes input and suggestions for events in the Darlington area. Please contact Bruce Douglas at 843.332.6234 or bartscounc@aol.com to share your thoughts.

As is the case with all great plans and initiatives, a little luck is always helpful. In the summer of 2009, the South Carolina Arts Commission opened up a new grant program. BCAC applied and received a Participation Grant to help with the project. The Participation Grant will help BCAC achieve its goal of long-term, sustainable programming and events in Darlington.

2010: Still To Come

Black Creek Arts Council intends for 2010 continue to be action-packed and fun-filled. Below are a list of events, openings, and programs still to come:

Events:

Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ

The Long Lash Cabaret featuring Ilona Smithkin & Amazing Local Talent

4th Annual Christmas Shoppe

Openings:

April 8th - The Green Exhibit featuring Mike Fowle, Munsey Millaway, Erica Bailey & Pop's Glass
May 6th - Jim Darlington
June 3rd - 521 All Stars Photography Exhibit from The State Museum
July 8th - The Carolinas III Community Photography Contest & Exhibit
August 5th - The Artisans of the South Carolina Tobacco & Cotton Trails
September 2nd - Louise Daly & Jo Jeffers
October 7th - The Pink Exhibit in partnership with Darlington County Relay For Life
November 4th - John Herth

Programs:

Every Child Is An Artist Field Trips in April

These field trips will feature Green Artist Mike Fowle. (sponsored by Sonoco)

Explore Art & Camp Creative Summer Camps for Young People

Explore Art is a week-long camp led by Darlington County artists Mike & Patz Fowle. Campers get to visit and create in the Fowle's Studio. Camp Creative is a team-taught camp held at the Black Creek Arts Center.

Launching of the Artisans of the South Carolina Tobacco Trail

This group will join the Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail in making the Pee Dee Region the most unfied region of South Carolina in terms of multi-county artist and artisan guilds. Black Creek Arts Council has been instrumental in the formation of both groups.

For more information about Black Creek Arts Council, visit:

blackcreekarts.org

For more Darlington County event information, visit our Cultural Calendar:

Darlington County Cultural Calendar

Click here to donate to BCAC's Green Campaign.

2010: January to mid-March

The first two and a half months of 2010 have been exciting for BCAC. The gallery openings, dinner theaters, and arts education classes have been exciting and well-attended.

Scroll down for a brief recap of early 2010:

Visual Arts

Above: Ina Ingram & her husband, Duck.

She has the talent; he does the talking.

Ina's opening was packed from wall-to-wall. The nine exhibits shown in February and Heidi Bond and Ruth McLeod's opening in March followed suit.

Musical Entertainment

Hartsville Idol winner Demitrius McDonald headlined a wonderful evening of musical entertainment on January 23rd. McDonald versatility as an artist was on display with his covers of country, rhythm & blues, and reggae songs.



Theatre & Community Partnerships

The Hartsville Community Players performed Audition for Murder at the Black Creek Arts Center and Birds Of A Feather. The photo above shows two of Darlington County's young thespians, Matt Winburn and Brooke Mogy, at Birds Of A Feather.

Arts Education


In 2010, BCAC has offered a range of classes for children and adults. Below are images from a class for young people led by Bethany Perry.




Still to come in March:

On March 22nd, the South Carolina Arts Commission will be coming to BCAC for the Canvas of the People. The stop at the Arts Center is one of only seven in the state (and the only in the Pee Dee).


BCAC is a sponsor of Hartsville Downtown Development's Renofest, held March 26-28. Click here for more information about Renofest.


BCAC will also be awarding subgrants to:

• Hartsville Downtown Development for Jazz! Carolina 2010
• Hartsville Civic Chorale for their Christmas Concert
• Coker College Dance Program
• Hartsville-Coker Concert Association Fall Event
• Hartsville Community Players' Christmas Play

Donate to BCAC's Green Campaign

Going Green at BCAC

With The Green Exhibit coming to the gallery at the Arts Center, Black Creek Arts Council is urging its patrons to not just go green, but give green. Between St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) and Earth Day (April 22nd), the Arts Council hopes to raise $10,000 in charitable donations. The Green Campaign is aimed at raising money for our children's arts education programming and our Arts-In-Education Program that places South Carolina Arts Commission-approved artists in Darlington County Schools.

If you are interested in giving to BCAC's Green Campaign, click the link below:

Click here to Donate to BCAC

Donations can also be made at the Arts Center (116 W. College Ave in Hartsville) or by mail:

Black Creek Arts Council
PO Box 24
Hartsville, SC 29551

The mission of Black Creek Arts Council is to promote and foster the Arts in Darlington County. Below are links to some of the great events and programs produced and funded by the Arts Council:

2009 Events

2009 Exhibits

January through mid-March 2010

Still to Come in 2010

The Black Creek Arts Center

Bruce Douglas, Executive Director

843.332.6234

bartscounc@aol.com

SPC Credit Union Presents....

SPC is seeking group vendors and talented young adults ages 13 to 25 to perform at SPC Credit Union's Take the Stage 2nd Annual Youth Concert event on Saturday, May 1 from 7:00to 10:00 pm at BurryPark in Hartsville. The event will showcase chosen performers from Darlington, Florence and Marlboro counties who register to perform and submit a video recording of their group before April 16. Local youth groups are invited to serve as vendors at the event. They may sell anything from popcorn to ball caps to raise funds for events of their own.

SPC hopes to reach young people in an exciting and relevant way
while providing a night of wholesome entertainment and a forum for their musical talent. Contact Angela Harrison at 843-857-3468 with questions, or CLICK HERE for more information. Space is limited, so sign up today!

Fast & Easy Online Registration

Performer Application

Vendor Registration

Coker's Student-Athletes are Making a Difference at BCAC

Over the past two years, several Coker student-athletes have volunteered for Black Creek Arts Council. They have done everything from serve at events to mopping floors, as well as providing services from writing press releases to being docents.

On behalf of all the people who have benefited from the volunteerism of Coker’s student-athletes, Black Creek Arts Council would like to thank each of the fine young people listed below:

Vatrick Thompson, Men's Basketball

Tom Wright, Men's Basketball

Rachel Lemar, Women's Tennis

Mike Gore, Men's Basketball

Mike Crook, Men's Soccer

Maija Castren, Women's Basketball

Mason Ambler, Men's Basketball

Liam Kyle, Men's Basketball

Lotta Aaltonen, Women's Basketball

Kristin Teets, Volleyball

Jason Fowler, Men's Soccer

Jasmine Brown, Dance Team

Henna Koponen, Women's Basketball

Brenden Marcell, Men's Basketball

Benjamin "Beeze" Chastain, Men's Soccer

Arianna Ray, Cheer Team

Adrienne Kennedy, Cheer Team

Agne "AG" Stanciauskaite

Not Pictured: Tom Oschip & Stevie Evans