Black Creek Arts Center

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Event Recap: The Darlington County Arts Awards 2011

Black Creek Arts Council recently hosted the first Darlington County Arts Awards. The Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville was the site for the awards ceremony. Several people, including artists, educators, business people and community leaders, won a variety awards.

“This was a great night for the Arts in Darlington County,” said Tracy Price, a board member of BCAC. “Our community deserved to be showcased in this capacity. We have so many people, not just artists, who contribute to our thriving arts community. I feel honored to have been a part of this event.”

The first award handed out was the Frankie Bush Award for Leadership. Bush’s dedication to the Arts in our community directly resulted in the renovation of the Black Creek Arts Center, among many other things. The appropriately named award went to Judi Elvington. Elvington served as director of the Hartsville Downtown Development Association for 19 years and helped bring Jazz! Carolina and Renofest to the Hartsville Arts festival scene.

Jessie Smith of the Midnight Rooster took home the Rolfe Godshalk Arts in Business Award. Smith’s business hosts rotating visual arts exhibits, as well as being the site for jazz shows and other concerts.

The Patz Fowle Arts in Education Award was presented to Sissy Carroll. Carroll is the art teacher at both Cain and Brunson-Dargan Elementary Schools in Darlington. Carroll has been an educator in Darlington County for over a decade.

The McCall-Wiggins Award is for an individual who demonstrates an extraordinary level of support for the arts agencies in the community. For the award, support can be interpreted as volunteering, financial contributions and/or attendance at events. Named for Reaves McCall and Betty Wiggins, this award was presented to Clayton Richardson.

Hartsville High School graduate and current Coker College student Dustin Moree was named Darlington County’s Rising Young Artist. Moree has been involved with the Hartsville Community Players and was one of the central performers in ROTFL, an improv night held at the Black Creek Arts Center.

The awards for Visual and Performing Artists of the Year went to Mary Ellen Johnson and Al Haynes, respectively. Over the past year, Johnson has been shown in the OK Harris Gallery in New York and in the Watts Gallery of Indianapolis.

Haynes’ unmistakable jazz music has become a fixture at Saffron, a restaurant in Hartsville, as well as Florence’s Fountainhead. Haynes has also been an integral part of Black Creek Arts Council’s first two Cabarets. He is in the line-up for the third, which will be held on March 5th.

The Joan Coker Award was presented to Judy Haenni for her guidance and leadership as the President of Black Creek Arts Council from 2005-10. Haenni spearheaded many events and programs for BCAC, including the premier BBQ event in the Pee Dee, Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ.

Anna Hill won the Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism. Hill, who is active in the Hartsville Civic Chorale, led the All-County Choir for over a decade and has directed Hartsville Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Play over 25 years.

At the end of the night, another honor was given out. The pottery studio at the Black Creek Arts Center was renamed the Willard Jacobs Pottery Studio. Jacobs was a leader with Kalmia Arts and the Hartsville Arts Council, the predecessors of Black Creek Arts Council. Jacobs, of Lydia, is also a very accomplished artist and art collector. Pieces of his work were displayed during the event.

“We’re calling this one the first annual, so look for it again next year,” said BCAC President Carolyn Atkinson.

Next up at the Black Creek Arts Center is the opening reception of the Pate Family Show on March 3rd at 5:30. The Cabaret will be held on Saturday, March 5th. Call 843.332.6234 or visit www.blackcreekarts.org for more information.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Save the Date: April 29th & 30th

Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ

The 3rd Annual Black Creek Blue Jeans & BBQ will be held April 29th and 30th in Downtown Hartsville. Mark your calendars now!

For more information, visit the official site of the festival:

Black Creek, Blue Jeans & BBQ Home Page

The cook teams will compete for ceramic trophies made by Darlington County artist Patz Fowle.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sneak Peek of the New Mural at the Darlington Library

Don't miss the official unveiling on Valentine's Day 2011.

Above: Darlington County artist Patz Fowle is works on a mural inside the Darlington Library.

Fowle, Darlington Library to Unveil Mural on Valentine's Day

Above: Patz Fowle with art students during a summer art camp.

News from the Darlington Library

Join us at the Darlington Library on Monday, February 14th @ 6:00 pm for the unveiling of our children's area mural by visual artist Patz Fowle. Evolve Into Someone/Something EXTRAOrdinary Through Reading! is the theme of the mural. Following the program, there will be a reception in the meeting room.

The Darlington Library is located at 204 North Main St. in Darlington, SC.

The mural was made possible through Black Creek Arts Council's Subgranting Program.

Black Creek Arts Council's Subgranting Program is funded in part by the Sonoco Foundation, South Carolina Arts Commission, the John & Susan Bennett memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

New Exhibits to Debut at the Black Creek Arts Center during the Darlington County Arts Awards

When Black Creek Arts Council hosts the Darlington County Arts Awards on February 24th, there will be more going on throughout the Arts Center than just an awards ceremony. Six new exhibits will be shown throughout the Arts Center. That's in addition to the work by four artists already on display.

On the first floor of the Arts Center, work by Coker College Art Professor Jim Boden and one of the evening's honorees and award namesake Willard Jacobs will be displayed.

The upstairs will feature work by Carolyn Swallow, Pat Saad, the Darlington County Photography Club and students from Coker College's Art Department.

The artists with work already on display are William Mize, Derrick Wilson, Nate Gulledge and Dr. Shawn Lay.

The Darlington County Arts Awards will begin at 5:30 with a reception in the Upstairs Gallery. At 6pm, the awards presentations will begin in the Jean & James Fort Gallery. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, call 843.332.6234 or join the event's Facebook Page.

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

Darlington County Arts Awards Categories

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Don't Miss the Darlington County Arts Awards on February 24th

Click here for details.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Darlington County Arts Awards - February 24, 2011

Nomination & Event Information

On February 24^th, Black Creek Arts Council will be hosting the first ever Darlington County Arts Awards. In all eight awards will be given out. Categories cover all arts disciplines. Nominations for the following awards are being sought from the community through February 1^st:

Rolfe Godshalk Arts in Business Award

This award will be presented annually to the business owner that promotes and/or incorporates the arts through or into their business. Only for-profit entities are eligible.

Frankie Bush Arts Leadership Award

This award will be presented to an individual who shows exemplary leadership within the arts community. Employees and volunteers of arts agencies are eligible for this award.

Patz Fowle Arts in Education Award

This award will be presented annually to a professional arts educator who demonstrates a devotion to education young people in and through the Arts. Arts Educators from public and private schools are eligible. Any arts discipline will be considered.

Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism

This award will be presented to an individual who has a significant impact in our community through volunteering with an arts agency.

McCall-Wiggins Award for Community Support

This award will be presented to an individual that demonstrates an extraordinary level of support for the arts agencies in our community. Support can be interpreted as volunteering, financial contributions and attendance at events.

Darlington County’s Rising Young Artist

This award will be presented annually to a young artist who demonstrates extraordinary potential and is an active participate in the arts community. Artists under the age of 22 are eligible.

Visual Artist of the Year

This award will be presented to an outstanding visual artist. All artists are eligible. Awarding criteria can be for accomplishments within the previous calendar year or for lifetime achievement.

Performing Artist of the Year

This award will be presented to an outstanding performing artist. Awarding criteria can be for accomplishments within the previous calendar year or for lifetime achievement.

All winners must reside in Darlington County.

The awarding will take place at a reception at the Black Creek Arts Center on February 24^th. The Arts Center will house a variety of exhibits on that evening as well. The reception will begin at 5:30 with the awards ceremony beginning at 6:00.

Nominations can be submitted by:

Emailing the name of the nominee and the award to bartscounc@aol.com or by calling the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234. Information detailing the reason for nomination will be considered.

Admission to the Darlington County Arts Awards will be free and everyone is invited to attend.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Darlington County Arts Awards: February 24th

Black Creek Arts Council is gearing up for the first Darlington County Arts Awards on Thursday, February 24^th. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 and the awards will be announced at 6pm. Bruce Douglas sees the event as much as a showcasing of our community as he does as a platform for honoring a few elite artists.

“We’ve got so much to celebrate in Darlington County. We’ve got the work and productions created by our artists and we’ve also got the organizations and community support that allow for those events and displays to be constant and contemporary,” said Douglas.

Some of the organizations Douglas is referencing are the Hartsville Civic Chorale, Hartsville-Coker Concert Association, Hartsville Community Players and the Darlington County Photography Club. Another, Hartsville Downtown Development, is the producer of Jazz! Carolina and Renofest.

Darlington County is also alive with visual and performing artists. Tracy Price, Andrea Powell and Demetrious McDonald are just a few of our community’s incredible performers. Patz Fowle, Pollie Bristow, Derrick Wilson and John Herth are just a few of our numerous outstanding visual artists. Not to mention the Pate and Johnson families, who go generations deep with their creative talents.

In terms of celebrating the Arts, organizations and artists are not the only things that our county has to be proud of. Darlington County also has outstanding arts educators. Dr. Jim Beaumier, Roger Simpson, Michelle McCall and Terry Joyce are just a few of the teachers that educate and inspire our young people.

Speaking of young people, we have another generation teeming with talent and expectations. Christophe Beaumier, Seth Johnson, Sketchboii Lance Rhodes and Brooke Mogy are just a few local products with bright futures ahead. Coker College students Norah Wofford, Hannah Beard and Brianna Lotan also bring great artistic minds and ability to our county.

BCAC President Carolyn Atkinson points out that the arts are infused by businesses and community leaders. “Without support from the non-arts producers in our county, we would not have what we have. The appreciation that comes from our community allows our artists to thrive and our community to, in-turn, benefit from the beauty of the Arts,” said Atkinson.

Atkinson’s comments bring to mind the incredible contributions of people like Nancy Myers, Judi Elvington, Terry Poplava, Clayton Richardson, Judy Haenni, Sandra Ard, Linda Howle and Graham Wood.

Corporations and small businesses alike support the arts in Darlington County. Another unique aspect of Darlington County is the quality of for-profit art galleries. The Chameleon Gallery in Darlington and Feury Fine Art in Hartsville showcase work from local and regional artists.

If you would like to pay tribute to all of the artists, leaders and organizations mentioned above (and many more), come to the Black Creek Arts Center on College Avenue in Hartsville on February 24^th for the Darlington County Arts Aawards. Admission is free. “Like all of our receptions, this is a come-as-you-are event,” noted Jordan Heydt, BCAC’s Director of Marketing and Communication.

Below are a list of the awards:

Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism

Frankie Bush Arts Leadership Award

Rolfe Godshalk Arts in Business Award

Patz Fowle Arts in Education Award

McCall-Wiggins Award for Community Support

Visual Artist of the Year

Performing Artist of the Year

Darlington County's Rising Young Artist

Admission to the Darlington County Arts Awards is free.

The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville, SC. For more information, call 843.332.6234 or email bartscounc@aol.com.

BCAC Home

The Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism

The Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism

This award will be presented annually to an individual who has a significant impact in our community through volunteering with an arts agency (or arts-producing non-profit organization).

If you are interested in nominating someone for this or any of the Darlington County Arts Awards, please call the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234 or email the Arts Council at bartscounc@aol.com. Information detailing the reason for nomination will be considered.

The Darlington County Arts Awards will be held on Thursday, February 24th at the Black Creek Arts Center (116 W. College Avenue in Hartsville, SC). The banquet will begin with a reception at 5:30. The awards ceremony will begin at 6pm. Admission is free.

BCAC Home

The Frankie Bush Arts Leadership Award

The Frankie Bush Arts Leadership Award

This award will be presented to an individual who shows exemplary leadership within the arts community. Employees and volunteers of arts agencies are eligible for this award.

Darlington County Arts Awards Categories

Darlington County Arts Awards Categories

The Rolfe Godshalk Arts in Business Award

The Rolfe Godshalk Arts in Business Award

This award will be presented annually to the business owner(s) who promotes and/or incorporates the arts through or into their business. Only for-profit entities are eligible.

Darlington County's Rising Young Artist Award

Darlington County's Rising Young Artist Award

This award will be presented annually to a young artist who demonstrates extraordinary potential and is an active participate in the arts community. Artists under the age of 22 are eligible.

The Patz Fowle Arts In Education Award

The Patz Fowle Arts In Education Award

This award will be presented annually to a professional arts educator who demonstrates a devotion to educating young people in and through the Arts. Arts educators from public and private schools are eligible. Any arts discipline will be considered.

If you are interested in nominating someone for this or any of the Darlington County Arts Awards, please call the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234 or email the Arts Council at bartscounc@aol.com. Information detailing the reason for nomination will be considered.

Above: Patz Fowle works with Ben Sivillo during a Summer Camp at the Artist's Studio outside Hartsville

Performing Artist of the Year

Performing Artist of the Year

This award will be presented to an outstanding performing artist from Darlington County. Awarding criteria can be for accomplishments within the previous calendar year or for lifetime achievement.

If you are interested in nominating someone for this or any of the Darlington County Arts Awards, please call the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234 or email the Arts Council at bartscounc@aol.com. Information detailing the reason for nomination will be considered.

Visual Artist of the Year Award

Visual Artist of the Year

This award will be presented to an outstanding visual artist from Darlington County. Artists working in any media are eligible. Awarding criteria can be for accomplishments within the previous calendar year or for lifetime achievement.

If you are interested in nominating someone for this or any of the Darlington County Arts Awards, please call the Black Creek Arts Center at 843.332.6234 or email the Arts Council at bartscounc@aol.com. Information detailing the reason for nomination will be considered.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The McCall-Wiggins Award for Community Support

The McCall-Wiggins Award for Community Support

This award will be presented annually by the Board of Directors of Black Creek Arts Council to an individual that demonstrates an extraordinary level of support for the arts agencies in our community. Support can be interpreted as volunteering, financial contributions and attendance at events. Nominations will come from the community.

This award is named in honor of Reaves McCall and the late Mrs. Betty Wiggins.