Re Nude: Celebrate the Body

Leila Davenport Ross has much to be proud of. With music, drinks, art, dancing (and hopefully plenty of sales), the Re Nude show was a great success. Protestors gathered outside while inside, naked figures in a variety of styles adorned every inch of the walls. Leila came up with the idea for the event as a way to raise awareness for reproductive healthcare, and 50% of proceeds from art sales were donated to Planned Parenthood. The event was a virtual who’s who with over fifty established and up and coming artists including: Jill Hooper, Tim Hussey, Leslie Pratt-Thomas, Karen Ann Myers, Karen Silvestro, Lisa Shimko, Michelle Barnwell, Charles Ailstock and too many more to mention…

Brennan’s Last Summer

Photographer Brennan Wesley will present “Last Summer” at Aster Hall on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

We particularly liked this excerpt from his website, www.BrennanWesley.com:

Aside from shooting I spend the balance of my time in awe, surfing or looking for my sunglasses. I live in downtown Charleston, SC. where you’ll find me at La Fourchette enjoying a nice glass of wine and pomme frites double fried in duck fat.

So meet us at Aster Hall from 5:30-8:30 pm on Thursday, April 15th.

You know you want to.

Aster Hall, 481 King Street, 843.577.3198, www.asterhall.net

CofC Students Want You!

To come to their 2nd Annual CSAA Arts Advocacy Day.

On Saturday, April 17th, the Charleston Student Advocates for the Arts will host members of the community to examine how the budget cuts to the arts will effect arts organizations in South Carolina, promote awareness of the impace and importance of advocating for the arts.

If nothing else, you should attend for a first hand view of the amazing new Marion and Wayland H. Cato Center for the Arts and Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.  Arts Advocacy Day begins at 10 am and will wrap up with refreshments at the Halsey Institute by 12:30.

From the CSAA:

The Saturday morning summit will focus on the outcome of the South Carolina Arts Commission’s budget cuts (currently in the process of being determined) and the importance of being advocates for the arts both in times of security and crisis. The Panel will be made up of community arts leaders representing organizations that receive grant money from the SCAC, and, based on the outcome of the budget proposals by the State, the discussion will focus on how not having this grant money awarded will effect your organization’s budgeting process and your season’s programming.  Prior to the Panel discussion, Scott Shanklin-Peterson, President of the South Carolina Arts Alliance will give a “Current Issues” presentation that will include an explanation of the budgeting process in South Carolina.

Please RSVP to: cofcartsadvocates@gmail.com

The Cato Center for the Arts & Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art are located at 161 Calhoun Street, Charleston SC

Saturday, April 17, 2010.  10am – 12:30 pm.

‘SEE Jazz’ in a whole new way

Photograph by Reese Moore

This Friday, April 9th, from 8-11 pm, the Jazz Artists of Charleston will put on their annual Spring fundraiser at the Charleston Center for Photography.

The JAC’s swanky party will be a mere $20 trade-off for great music, hors d’oeuvres, open wine bar, silent auction and art work.

Four photographers, Alice Keeney, Ben Williams, Priscilla Thomas and Reese Moore, who have been chronicling the Charleston Jazz scene from behind the scenes, and artists Nathan Durfee, Lisa Shimko, Nick Jenkins and Michael Moran will present work that let’s you “listen with your eyes.”

Check out Jack McCray’s article in last Thursday’s Charleston SCENE.  Call (843) 641.0011 or visit Etix for tickets.

Jazz Artists of Charleston: www.thejac.org, 843.641.0011

Charleston Center for Photography, 654 King Street, Suite D, Charleston, SC 29403.

Welcome to the Spring Art Walk

We finally have decently warm weather again.

What does this mean?  Well, it’s the 1st Friday of April; Good Friday to be precise.  The day was warm & sunny.  There  was an Art Walk.

Here are some images captured at the April 2nd art openings.  Make sure you stop by to visit these shows before the all sell out, there was some great work on display last night, with red dots popping up faster than you can say ‘Easter Bunny.’

Michael Moran & Nathan Durfee

Progressive Photography at SCOOP

Artist Tim Hussey with accountant/model/rockstar Jen Snider

Nathan Durfee lending a hand…

Julio Cotto & Caroline Millard examine a photograph…starring her!

Colleen & Saramel know just what to add to the mix…

Art Walkers at SCOOP Studios

Kip Bulwinkle, Karson Photography and Personal Branding Expert

Mixology at its best

Carolina Galleries Owner Johnson Hagood entertains guests

SCOOP Studios

Michael Moran & Megan Lange

Photograph by Stewart Young at SCOOP Studios

A happy Art Walker at RLS

My Two Carrie’s…

The devilish Julio…

City Gallery Director Erin Glaze with film maker Justin Nathanson

Robert’s work in progress

JB Boyd’s show Length at Robert Lange Studios

Art Walkers on Broad Street

Hunter, Colleen & Saramel of SCOOP Studios

Robert Lange=iPaint

the crowd at Robert Lange Studios

Carolina Galleries newest artist, Terri Katz Kasimov

Artist JB Boyd, center, at the opening of his show, LENGTH at RLS

I Found My Peace at Eye Level Art

Eye Level Art proprietor Mike Elder and his Gallerina Caroline Millard have been hard at work for many months.  Putting on quality art shows?  Yes, of course.  But they have also been spinning many hamsters on wheels thinking of new ways to utilize their multipurpose space at the 103 Gallery.

So, how to captivate the demanding taste and attention of the Charleston scenesters?  With challenging shows, cutting edge musicians, and yoga.  Yes, YOGA.

Instructor Harry Dinwiddie doesn't play around...

This week, two of Art Mag’s crew ventured up to 103 Spring for a little ‘downward dog’ with Yogi extraordinaire Harry Dinwiddie.  Dinwiddie teaches several classes a week in Mount Pleasant, but when the siren song of Caroline/ELA called, Harry decided it was time to come downtown too.

Dinwiddie & ELA welcome the newest practitioner to the most experienced yogi; Dinwiddie tailors each class to the participants.  There is no pressure, and lots of fun to be had.  Not to mention the great art to look at while you are going through a Sun Salutation.

So come down to the 103 Spring St Gallery every Tuesday to find your peace at Eye Level Art.  We’ll see you there!

Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45 pm.   Non-members $13, Members $10.   Eye Level Art  103 Spring Street, DT 843.278.2374, www.eyelevelart.com

Dinwiddie & aspiring yogi Laurie Minarich

“Picture” Yourself At Redux

After my meeting with Redux maven Karen Ann Myers last week, I left once again inspired by the passion and talent residing there.

“Redux is a sanctuary for artists.” -Karen Ann Myers, executive director

sanc·tu·ar·y

–noun, plural -ar·ies.

1. a sacred or holy place.

2. any place of refuge.

As a non-profit arts center focusing on presenting cutting edge Contemporary art, Redux provides a setting that where artists are released from constraints and boundaries that commercial interests can impose.  With the limits removed, the room for artistic expression can leap beyond a canvas or pedestal and enter realms never previously inhabited by art.

Redux also serves as an educational entity for the entire community and fosters a nurturing environment for the artists, whether they are taking their first class or keep studios there.  It is a space where up & coming artists work side by side with established artists.  Opportunities for collaboration and discussion abound, both genius & mental masturbation can live side by side, at a very nominal fee for the artists.

Their current exhibition, “We Pictured You Reading This,” features work from the Paper Monument out of Brooklyn, NY, curated by editor James Bae.  The show is multimedia–print, 2D visual art, even a film making its American debut.

Redux Commits to their Projects...

The Redux crew event painted this mural on the side of their building specially for the show–go visit them at 136 St Philip Street or virtually at www.reduxstudios.org.

The Road Show has a Logo!

Big thanks to artist, gallery owner & graphic designer extraordinaire Megan Lange, for her time and talents!