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.

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.

Darlington County Arts Awards Categories

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.

Darlington County Arts Awards Categories

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

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.

Check Out Recent BCAC Events

Saturday, November 13, 2010

An Open Letter from Frankie Bush

Frankie Bush served as the Executive Director of Black Creek Arts Council from 1994 to 2003. From then until July 2010, Frankie also served on the Board of Directors for BCAC. As you can from this letter, her service and enthusiasm for this organization have not diminished.

An Open Letter From Frankie Bush

In 1980 through the Beaux Arts Ball, I began a love affair with Black Creek Arts Council. I was already an active member of Kalmia Arts but had not become involved with the parent organization Black Creek Arts Council. Over the years as a volunteer and later as a director, I saw the difference that the arts make in our community. Our community is a unique place where the number of events, festivals and projects are truly amazing. No organization embodies this community-mindedness as much as Black Creek Arts Council.

BCAC’s unique ability of outreach on several levels is why I see this organization as second to none. Educating and inspiring our youth, providing programming and events for adults, and serving other non-profits as an administrative and collaborative resource are the hallmarks of Black Creek Arts Council.

The Black Creek Arts Center serves as a gathering place for many arts and non-arts related events. Your support was needed to complete the Arts Center and your support is still needed to continue offering high-quality educational services, memorable events, and assistance to other community organizations. The Arts truly enrich our lives.

The services and events offered by BCAC have been recognized by authorities outside of our community. The South Carolina Arts Commission chose to hold its Pee Dee Canvas of the People, an open forum discussing the positioning of the Arts in communities, at the Black Creek Arts Center. The State’s Arts Commission chose our community as the leader in the Arts for the Pee Dee which speaks volumes about our Arts Council.

Please join me in supporting Black Creek’s ongoing work by giving a generous contribution. Our mission is to “Foster the arts in Darlington County.” We need your help to complete our mission.

Warmest Regards,

Frankie Bush

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Return to Black Creek Arts Council's Blog

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Two Performances Highlight Weekend of November 12th-13th at BCAC

Friday, November 12^th

Doug Varone and Dancers will offer a free performance and discussion at the Black Creek Arts Center on Friday, November 12^th at 7:30. Varone has been working with Angela Gallo and Erin Leigh in Coker’s Dance Department over the last year. Varone and his dancers will also be performing at Coker College on Saturday, November 13^th.

Admission to the event at Black Creek is free and everyone is invited to attend. “This event is as much for the novice dancer as it is for the most experienced performer. It’s also perfect for those who appreciate dance on any level,” noted BCAC President Carolyn Atkinson.

Doug Varone is a choreographer and director who works in dance theater, opera, film, television and fashion. Varone received his BFA from Purchase College where he was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007. Honors also include a Guggenheim Fellowship and two New York Dance and Performance Awards (Bessie Awards) for Sustained Achievement in Choreography and for his 2006 work Boats Leaving. His work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts since 1988.

Saturday, November 13th

The Black Creek Arts Center will host An Evening of Wine & Jazz with After Dark on Saturday, November 13^th from 8-10pm. After Dark features Al “Magic Fingers” Haynes on the piano and Randy Oswalt on the drums. Black Creek’s leading lady, Tracy Price, will provide the vocals.

An Evening of Wine & Jazz is a fundraiser for BCAC. Tickets are $25. Dessert and coffee, as well as wine, will be served.

For more information about either of these events, contact Jordan Heydt at 843.332.6234 or bartscounc@aol.com.

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

Friday, September 17, 2010

October Children's Classes

Every Wednesday in October from 3:30-5pm, Black Creek is offering a 4 class art series for elementary aged children. Each class will teach a different art lesson.

October 6 - Photography class. Each student will need to bring a digital camera and will learn about the basics of photography.
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October 13 - Clay class. Each student will learn about the history of clay and create a hand built clay sculpture.
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October 20 - Painting class. Each student will learn about an art movement in history and create a painting on canvas.
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October 27 - Trick or Treat Bags. In the spirit of Halloween, each student will create and design their own Trick or Treat Bag.
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The cost of the series is $40. All supplies are included. Call Jordan Heydt at the Arts Center to sign up or for more information 843.332.6234

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New Show Opens at BCAC on August 5th

Thursday, August 5th

Art Opening

at the

Black Creek Arts Center

116 West College Avenue in Hartsville

5:30 - 7:00

The latest exhibit at BCAC features work by 23 juried artists from the Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton & Tobacco Trails. Please join us for refreshments at the opening, or visit the Arts Center before August 20th to view the show.

Admission is free.

Artists with work on display include:

Artisans of the SC Cotton Trail

Carolyn Atkinson
Anne Baldwin
Heidi Bond
Pollie Bristow
Frankie Bush
John Cameron
Jim Fernandes
Patz Fowle
Mike Gann
Carolyn Govan
Linda Humphries
Sara Jailette
Vicky McLain
Suzanne Muldrow
Denny Stevenson

Artisans of the SC Tobacco Trail

Barbara and Ed Streeter
John Johnson
Susan Allen
Brenda Hardwick
Lon Calhoun

Jack Cayton
Ruth Cox

Emily Estes

Lori Kaim
Tony Morano

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Black Creek Arts Council Receives Three Grants From The South Carolina Arts Commission

The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) recently announced its grant awards for the upcoming fiscal year. Among the recipients was Black Creek Arts Council of Darlington County (BCAC). BCAC received three grants totaling $13,939.

BCAC was one of 65 schools, school districts, and arts organizations to receive an Arts-In-Education (AIE) Grant. AIE grants help fund artist residencies, performances, curriculum planning and implementation and professional development for teaching.

BCAC also received a General Operating Support Grant from SCAC. This grant program is designed to strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, other organizations and communities throughout the state. There were 144 organizations that received a General Operating Support Grant.

The third grant BCAC received was for its Subgranting Program. Subgranting funds are allocated to local arts councils to distribute quarterly grants to organizations and artists in their region. This program is funded in part by an award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

BCAC was among a select group of nine arts council to receive subgrant funding.

Visit the BCAC Home Page

September: In the Gallery...

Louise Daley and Jo Jeffers

In September, the Jean & James Fort Gallery at the Black Creek Arts Center will host an exhibit by Darlington artists Louise Daley and Jo Jeffers. This dynamic exhibit will feature pottery by Jeffers and portraiture by Daley. An opening reception will be held on September 2nd from 5:30 to 7pm. Admission is free.

In addition to the exhibit in the gallery, artwork by Hartsville-native and current Coastal Carolina student Lance "Sketchboii Lance" Rhodes will be on display in the Upstairs Gallery.

Both exhibits will remain on display until September 30th. Prudential Segars Realty is sponsoring the opening.

BCAC Blog

October: In the Gallery...

The Pink Exhibit

In October, Black Creek Arts Council and Darlington County Relay For Life will be presenting The Pink Exhibit. A silent auction will be held on October 7th from 5:30 to 7:30. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Arts Council and Relay For Life.

Each artwork up for bid will have the color pink in it. Local and regional artists will be donating works for the auction. Flossie Mae's is sponsoring the opening.

The exhibit will remain on display until October 28th.

Check out some of Anne's work here.

BCAC Blog

November: In the Gallery...

Anne Hightower-Patterson

The amazing watercolors of Anne Hightower-Patterson will grace the walls of the Jean & James Fort Gallery in November. An opening reception will be held on November 4th from 5:30 to 7pm. Admission is free.

Anne's work will also provide a perfect backdrop for BCAC's 4th Annual Christmas Shoppe from November 18th to 20th.

This exhibit will remain in the gallery through November 23rd.