Harolette King's Nature's Heart Photography

Displayed in the foyer at the Black Creek Arts Center, Harolette King's photographs of heart-shaped leaves will make great Valentine gifts or year-round home decor.

Also on display in the foyer will be work by Ina Ingram and Heidi Bond. Ingram was the featured artist in the Jean & James Fort Gallery during the month of January. Her painting, Freedom, will be on display, as well as one of Bond's famous dog paintings (New Toy). Bond will be the featured artist in March.

This exhibit will be one of eight exhibits opening on February 4th at the Black Creek Arts Center. An opening reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:00pm on February 4th. The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 West College Avenue. For more information, call 843.332.6234.

Back to 8 Exhibits - One Night Listing

Benefit for First Hartsville Idol Winner to be held at BCAC

Demitrius McDonald, the winner of the first Hartsville Idol, will be headlining Music To Remember at the Black Creek Arts Center on January 23rd.

Joining Demitrius will be Tracy & Ron Price, Craig Beshures, Al Haynes, and the Sonoco Men's Club.

Showtime is 7:30 with the doors opening at 7pm for refreshments.

Tickets are $25.

Call or stop by the Black Creek Arts Center for tickets, 843.332.6234.

Art Book of the Week #4

For the 4th Installment of the Art Book of the Week, Black Creek Arts Council and Burry Bookstore bring you...

Oil Painting Tips and Tricks by Rosalind Cuthbert
$12.99 at Burry Bookstore in downtown Hartsville

Oils can be tricky to master, and even experienced artists often need a refresher course. This book offers advice on everything from buying the right brushes to creating atmospheric effects, and from the initial composition to making corrections.

Visit Burry Bookstore on the web.

At the Darlington Library...

The Pollockesque paintings of Darlington County artist Walter Cooks can now be seen at the Darlington Library, on Main Street, just off the Square in Historic Darlington.

Rotating art exhibits will now be on display in the Allard A. Allston Conference Room at the Darlington Library through a partnership between the library and Black Creek Arts Council and is made possible through funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Wine Tasting Class Coming to BCAC

with Judy Haenni

at the Black Creek Arts Center

Dates: February 27th, March 6th, & March 13th (Three Saturdays)

Times: 2pm to 4pm

Cost: $50 per person or $80 for a couple

Call the Black Creek Arts Center to reserve your space, 843.332.6234.

Session One: Bring a notebook and a wineglass. You'll taste the actual flavors that the vintners put on their labels: fruity, oak, buttery, tannins, floral, earthy, etc.

Session Two: This session will focus on white wines. You will taste several wines and put to use the knowledge gained in Session One.

Session Three: This session will focus on red wines. You will taste several wines and put to use the knowledge gained in Session One.

Judy will also share magazines, websites, food pairing wheels, and wine gadgets that she prefers. She'll also talk about wine festivals and tasting bars that she has been to in our area.

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

Art Book of the Week #3

Pollock by Leonhard Emmerling

$14.99

A tragic icon of Abstract Expressionism, Jackson Pollock (1912 -1956) took influences from Picasso and Mexican surrealism and developed his own way of seeing, interpreting, and expressing. Though his name inevitably conjures up images of the drip paintings for which he is most famous, this technique was only developed midway through his career. The progression from his earlier work to his final action paintings, a veritable revolution of painting as a concept, reveals the genius of this tortured artist whom many call the greatest modern American painter.

Find this book at Burry Bookstore on Carolina Avenue in Hartsville.

Art Book Of The Week: #2

Jewelry Making Handbook

by Sharon McSwiney, Penny Williams, Claire Davies, and Jennie Davies

$12.99 at Burry Bookstore

Produce professional-looking jewelry using simple techniques and equipment and learn to work with a variety of metals, ceramics, and plastics with the Jewelry Making Handbook.

BCAC Exhibits

Below is a list of BCAC's 2009 Exhibits.

In the Jean & James Fort Gallery at the Black Creek Arts Center:

January & February - The Every Child Is An Artist Exhibit featuring Nathan Gulledge, John Herth, Jennifer Webb, Steve Roos, and Patz Fowle.

March & April - Dr. Hiller Spires' Being Home

May & June - Michael Gray's Carolina Echoes

Above: by Michael Gray

July - The Carolinas II Community Photography Exhibit (exhibit at BCAC & Hartsville Memorial Library)

August - Irish Art from the collection of Beverley Spears

Above: One of Mary Ellen Johnson's amazing food paintings. See more here.

September - The Johnson Family Show featuring Seth, Mary Ellen, & Dale Johnson

October - Darlington County Watermedia Artists - This show was done in coordination with the South Carolina Watermedia Society. Featured artists included: Frankie Bush, Heidi Bond, Marty Brown, Bob Feury, Pollie Bristow, Anna Coe, Carolyn Swallow, and Catherine Anderson. Guest artists for the exhibit were Jackie Wukela and Lynda English of Florence.

Above: by Catherine Anderson

November - Tobacco Barns of the Pee Dee: A Collection of Work by Benton Henry. This traveling exhibit was produced by BCAC and funded by the Humanities Council of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

December - 3rd Annual Christmas Shoppe

Darlington County Library Exhibits

Nathan Gulledge's Barriers Series

Shawn Lay's Unbidden Visions

Tobacco Barns of the Pee Dee

Work from the Collection of Stephan Drew

Three Creeks Visual Artisans Alliance of Marlboro County

Dr. Hiller Spires' Being Home

Exhibits in BCAC's Upstairs Gallery

Three Creeks Visual Artisans Alliance of Marlboro County
Carolyn Atkinson
Cliff Jones Photography

Now Online: Tobacco Barns of the Pee Dee

The Tobacco Barns of the Pee Dee Exhibit

can be viewed online by clicking the link below:

BCAC Online Exhibits

BCAC's 2009 Events

In 2009, BCAC presented:

Black Creek, Blue Jeans, & BBQ

Darlington Artist Crawl

Above: Members of the Darlington Artist Crawl Committee

Suzanne Muldrow, Linda Howle, Sarah Jaillette, Pollie Bristow

Several Author Luncheons with Burry Bookstore

Above: At Todd Johnson's signing of Sweet By And By.

The Long Lash Cabaret

March Madness - Free Art Classes

Coffee with Ilona

Luncheon Honoring Willard Jacobs

Viscera Dance Theatre

Gallery Disco

Audition Site for Hartsville Idol

3rd Annual Christmas Shoppe

Black Creek also hosted three summer camps for young people:

Camp Creative

Explore Art with Mike & Patz Fowle

Kindermusik Camp 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. BCAC's Grant Program and Arts-In-Education Program are partially funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Art Book of the Week: #1

Black Creek Arts Council and Burry Bookstore are teaming up to bring you Art Book of the Week. All books chosen are in stock at Burry Bookstore on Carolina Avenue in Hartsville. The first book is:

The Pastel Artist's Bible: An Essential Reference for the Practicing Artist

Discover the unique joys of pastel painting with this easy-to-use guide to one of the most versatile and forgiving mediums. More than 100 visual sequences reveal key techniques such as mixing, blending, scumbling, sgraffito, hatching and feathering. Includes tips on composing your painting, using color, adding highlights and shadows, and creating textured effects. Step-by-step demonstrations show how to approach a range of subjects from landscapes and flowers to portraits and still life.

Fowle Works Her Magic at the Hartsville Memorial Library

Question: What does Patz Fowle see when she looks at this wall?

Answer: An opportunity.

This once-blank wall is in the Hartsville Memorial Library on College Avenue in Hartsville. Patz Fowle worked feverishly over the Thanksgiving weekend to get the mural completed for the library's patrons. The idea for the mural came from Audrey Tripp, branch manager of the library. The magical imagery was designed by Patz Fowle.


The final touches will be put on the mural during the first week in December. More photos will be posted soon.

This project was made possible by a grant from Black Creek Arts Council, which was in part by the Sonoco Foundation, the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Holiday Ornament-Making with Bethany Perry

Bethany Perry will be leading holiday ornament-making sessions at the Black Creek Arts Center on Tuesday, December 1st and Thursday, December 3rd from 5-6pm. The sessions are free and children ages 4 to 10 are invited.

Call ahead to reserve your spot, 843.332.6234.

The ornaments will be displayed on BCAC's Christmas tree. They can be picked up on Saturday, December 19th from 10am to 2pm.

Oil Painting Workshop with Vicky McLain

On Saturday, December 12th, instuctor Vicky McLain will be offering a oil painting workshop at Black Creek Arts Center. The workshop will last from 9am-2pm. Students will be painting a beach scene...what a great escape from the cold weather season! The cost for the class is $40.

For more information or to sign up for the class, call Bethany at the Arts Center, 843.332.6234.

To view a list of supplies click here.

Ukrainian Egg Workshop: December 5th

UKRAINIAN EGG WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Accomplished Ukrainian Egg Artist Ivy McLaurin will be leadinga workshop on December 5th at the Black Creek Arts Center.

Students will learn the history and legends associated with this centuries-old technique. Students will learn to use the ancient "candle" method as well as being taught using eletric kistky. Cost for the is $70. All supplies are included in the price.

The workshop will last from 10am to 4pm. Please bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided by the Arts Council.

Call Bethany Perry at the Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234. The class size is limited to ten students. Call soon to reserve your place.

Linear Perspective Drawing Class

Jim Stratton is offering a Linear Perspective Drawing Class at Black Creek Arts Center on Saturday, November 14. The class will last from 10-1pm. Cost for the class is $40. Students only need to bring a pencil and drawing pad to class.

The class will include a lecture and demonstrations on simple perspective techniques, aerial perspective and finally linear perspective. The students will "draw along" to the demonstrations and will draw from life during the third hour using the techniques learned earlier in the session. You will learn how to use basic drawing principles and simple shapes to build complicated objects in perspective. You will also recieve several handouts to take home and study after the class.

BCAC to Host Dance Theatre Performance on November 7th

Coker Alum Kirven to Return to Hartsville

The word path could be defined as a route or course along which something travels or moves. Fortunately for Hartsville, Jack Kirven's path has passed through town on more than one occasion.

As a Coker alum, Kirven is no stranger to College Avenue. The Black Creek Arts Center on College Avenue will be hosting Kirven's first professional performance in Hartsville. Along with Annie Vereen, Kirven will perform Path on November 7th at 7:30 in the gallery at the Black Creek Arts Center. General admission tickets are $10. Student tickets are $5.

Kirven and Vereen make up Viscera Dance Theatre, a modern theatrical dance company currently based in Charlotte.

Path is a true multimedia work that uses elements of dance, theatre, live music, storytelling, film and soundscapes. Each component is integrated in such a way that the performance would not be complete with any element missing.

Path is a seven‐section dance‐drama focusing on the gradual transformation of characters over the course of a narrative. Using “Little Red Riding Hood” as a template, the action focuses on the ways in which subtleties are repeated and changed as the protagonist ventures further off the path.

Path has been performed in Charlotte, Rock Hill, and Columbia. Future venues for the performance include Atlanta and California.

Viscera Dance Theatre was nominated for three Metrolina Theatre Association awards in Charlotte in 2009 (Outstanding Special Technical Element, Outstanding Duo, and Best Lead Male).

Path is intended for mature audiences. Call the Black Creek Arts Center to purchase tickets, 843.332.6234. All major credit cards accepted.

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.

On Display at BCAC: Woodworker Tommy Webb

Above: Seat and Armrest of a Maloof Chair

Sam Maloof is generally considered to be one of America's top furniture makers and woodworkers of all time. Maloof, who passed away in May, has work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. That's alot of art museums to have work in for a man who didn't call himself an aritst. That's right, Maloof preferred to be called a woodworker rather than artist.

In staying true to both Maloof's craft and unassuming demeanor, Hartsville's Tommy Webb has created a technically and visually amazing rocking chair. Webb's chair is currently on display at the Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville.

Modeled after Maloof's style from the 1970s, Webb's chair is a worthy replica. Just as he shares Maloof's love for woodworking, attention to detail, and humility, it's time for Webb to now share one of Maloof's monikers; you'll agree after seeing the chair, that he's Hartsville's Hemingway of the Hardwood.

Stop by the Black Creek Arts Center at 116 West College Avenue in Hartsville to see Webb's chair.

New Exhibit Encourages Viewer Interaction

The next exhibit in the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery at Coker College features work initiated by Wendy DesChene. As you can read below, DesChene is as much catalyst as creator.

The information below was provided by Larry Merriman, Professor of Art at Coker College.

Wendy DesChene wants your stuffed animals. She also invites you to collaborate on her installation in the Cecelia Coker Bell Gallery, which for her show, will become the Wikipedia of art installations. Over fall break (October 15-18), she will install the background paintings and some basic structure for the kind of installations you see above. Ms. DesChene will be present for a short residency Monday and Tuesday, the 19th and 20th, and will work with anyone willing to collaborate on the installation. For the remaining three and a half weeks, her show, much like a Wikipedia topic, can be altered (by anyone) following the guidelines suggested by Ms. DesChene during her residency. For a start, if you have any stuffed animals to donate, now or when you return from fall break, you can put them in the cardboard box next to the art gallery in the Gladys Fort Art Building. Please note that Wendy’s approach to this project is slightly off center—the fluffy white object in the top picture is made from insides of formerly stuffed animals—Peter Rabbit might want to stay home. This project is not limited to art students, but is open to all students, faculty, and staff. If you have questions, please call Larry Merriman at 383-8156 or email at lmerriman@coker.edu.

Artist’s Statement
Currently I have a body of work touring called WYSIWYG. So far it has made stops in Philadelphia Texas, Florida, and Ohio. It's an installation that began as a personal exploration of cute, which I was also using to parallel American art history. In the same way a grizzly bear is made acceptable for a babies crib, the great avant- garde of art has been made palatable and cuddly by being put on the life support of the museum wall, or on a coffee mug in the museum shop. After WYSIWYG, a large-scale oil painting/installation was retired from its original site, it continued to grow and change meaning by interacting with new communities. In each new community a workshop is held which invites the new audience to donate materials from their lives and create elements to add to the installation. At every stop it grows both in size and universal significance. It is a B-Movie monster, eating away at the gallery walls and Frankenstiened by my own reactions to art materials, audience, environment and critical reactions to philosophy and art history.

Biography Wendy DesChene is a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist working in America. She has exhibited her work in China, Japan, Italy, and Canada and all over the United States. Often she creates situations for community to become involved in arts creation. By doing this she works against creating art whose presence exists only on the life support of museum and gallery walls. Another of her interests is to critique the systems of art historical guardianship, while weaving issues of her identity and the conflicts created therein. South Carolina is WYSIWYG’s 8th stop on its national tour.

Coker College upholds and defends the intellectual and artistic freedom of its faculty and students as they study and create art through which they explore the full spectrum of human experience. The college considers such pursuits central to the spirit of inquiry and thoughtful discussion, which are at the heart of a liberal arts education.

Stained Glass Class with Cheryl Wingert

Cheryl Wingert will be offering a Beginner's Stained Glass Class on Mondays in November beginning November 9th. The class will meet 6-8pm and the cost is $65. Students will be provided with overview of stained glass methods, including copper foil and leaded glass. Students will make one or more copper foiled sun catcher projects (or Christmas ornaments). All materials included. Instruction time will be approximately 8 hours. Class limited to 6 students.

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

Business of Art Series at BCAC

Erica Bailey will be offering a day long workshop series on the Business of Art. It will include 4 sessions on topics such as pricing, creating a low cost online presence, building & writing an artist's resume, artist statement and bio, and digital tips for artists. It will also include a mini session on digital photography. This class should be a great resource for artists in our area.

The class will take place at the Black Creek Arts Center on Friday, November 13. It will last from 9:00-4:00. The cost for the class is $150.

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

Reclaimed, Recycled, Hardware Store Jewelry Workshop

Let's have fun! This workshop will combine a variety of unique techniques and materials. Using a variety of re-purposed objects (tin cans, old jewelry, buttons, bottle caps, etc.) and cool stuff from the hardware store we will create some really great jewelry. Earrings, necklaces and/or bracelets can be created. Come and join us- this will be a blast! Bring any old bits that you have hanging around...we may be able to turn them into something fantastic.

This class will take place Saturday, November 14, at the Black Creek Arts Center from 9-4. Erica Bailey will be instructing the workshop. The cost for the class is $150 and includes consumable supplies and materials. Click here to access the supply list.

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

Come & Explore Art History

A new children's class EXPLORING ART HISTORY, is being offered in November with teacher Bethany Perry. The class will explore several famous artists' lives and work, through art making, story telling, books, games and songs. The class will be offered on Wednesdays in November, from Nov 4- Nov 25. The class will take place at Birds Of A Feather, in Darlington. The time for the class is 4-5:15. 5k through 3rd grades are welcome. The cost for the class is $35.

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

Mondays with Michelle Starting Again for November

Beginning on November 2nd, Michelle Morris will be offering art classes on Mondays from 4:00 to 5:15. These classes will cover all types of art, from painting to mixed media, and from drawing to sculpture. Mondays with Michelle will run for four weeks. The cost for the class is $25.

Call Bethany at the Arts Center to sign up, 843.332.6234.

Glass Bead Making Class Coming Soon

Local artist, Tim Walters will be offering a one day workshop on Glass Bead Making-the ancient art of flame-working glass. The class will teach the basics of the art form and give everyone a chance to make their own glass bead or sculpture.

The class will take place at Black Creek Arts Center on November 21, from 10-2. The cost for the class is $75 and includes all supplies needed for the class. This class will be a fun learning experience and a great chance to give a hand-made gift to someone for Christmas.

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

Jim Stratton to Teach Intermediate Oil Painting

Jim Stratton will be instructing an intermediate level oil painting class. The class will meet on Mondays from 10-12, starting on October 19, and last for 5 weeks. Cost for the class is $85. This is a great class for painters with some experience looking to skip the beginner instruction of working with oils.

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