2017
June 9 – We Were Never Told the Truth About the Dying of the Sun – Paul Cristina solo show at Beresford Studio
The Charleston Arts Festival was pleased to collaborate with Beresford Studios in presenting exciting new work by Paul Cristina, one of our region’s most talented and visionary contemporary artists.
Cristina was born in the metropolitan area of Cleveland, Ohio in August of 1983. As a self-taught artist, Cristina has continued to develop his creative sensibilities through the study of books, film, music, people and photographic images. These sources of education continue to inform his work through the experimentation of various style and media. Within the preceding year, Cristina’s work had been the focus of one-person shows at the Booth Gallery in New York City, at Beresford Studios in Charleston, and at TRAX Visual Arts Center in Lake City, South Carolina.
September 22 – PBR Art Showcase at Redux Contemporary Art Center
Charleston Arts Festival co-sponsored the third annual PBR Art Showcase, featuring uniquely PBR-themed artwork, which used the iconic red, white, and blue can as inspiration across a variety of media. Music was provided by Mystical Half Dozen, DJ KY, Alan Fame (Manny Houston), Aaron Hines, and Brandon Brooks.
September 29 – ART RIDE: An Evening of Art on Wheels
Friday, September 29, 2017 was the date of a most unique partnering between five discrete Charleston arts entities-- the Donnelley Foundation, Redux Contemporary Art Center, The Southern Gallery, Beresford Studios, and the Charleston Arts Festival-- and our bike and transportation advocacy group, Charleston Moves. This collaboration linked together and put on wheels three distinct and distinctly important arts-related programs for an all-evening emphasis on our vibrant creative community.
Artspace Community Update at Redux Contemporary Arts Center
In September 2016, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation invited Artspace, the nation’s leading non-profit developers for the arts, to administer an online survey to further assess the potential success of an affordable multi-use facility in the Charleston region. That was the second step in a feasibility process which began with a visit by Artspace in February 2016. More than 300 individual artists and arts organizations participated in the survey of artist housing needs, affordability ranges, artist studio-only needs, location preferences, design requirements based on household sizes and arts disciplines, and arts organization space needs. On this evening, representatives of Artspace returned to Charleston to present results of their survey.
New Painting at The Southern Gallery
The Southern Gallery presented New Painting, a group exhibition of painters and their exploration of techniques, old and new, reworking and updating to align with current, contemporary aesthetics. This exhibit featured works by Adam Eddy, Natalie Escobar, Shanequa Gay, Susan Klein, Karen (Myers) Paavola, Colin Quashie, and Sophie Treppendahl. These works remained on display through November 12.
Stories from Firn at Beresford Studios
In another partnering between CAF and Beresford Studios, Stories from Firn, featured fantastical and visionary new works by Victor Hart, and remained on exhibit until October 15.
Hart’s artist statement: "Firn is a land made of swirling masses of color and unfamiliar sights. These paintings and drawings seek to form a connected narrative that offers a glimpse into the landscapes and inhabitants of another world. I want my work to imply a story that happens beyond the pieces, just a single moment on a much broader scope."
Charleston Moves
Charleston Moves is a nonprofit organization advocating for enhanced conditions for walking and riding a bike in Charleston County. Their work hinges on three approaches to creating a safe, connected and livable environment: advocacy, safety and community. As their staff works every day with elected officials, municipal staff, business leaders and community members, they are working toward a more fully and efficiently connected Charleston.
October 5 – PechaKucha 27 at the Charleston Music Hall
In an inaugural collaboration with Charleston Music Hall and one of the rare themed PechaKuchas, all presenters were either artists or arts-related: Becca Barnet, designer and taxidermist; Lese Corrigan, artist and gallery owner; Paul Cristina, artist; Matt Mill, publisher of Art Mag; Kirsten Moran, painter; Chris Nickles, illustrator; Sara Pittman, painter.
Poster Design: Paul Cristina. Emcee: Tim Hussey. DJ: Brady Waggoner.
October 12 and 13 - Myth of an Atom at Redux Contemporary Art Center
Myth of an Atom was the brainchild of New York-based duo, visual designer Christian Hannon (NON Visuals) and musician/producer Fallen Atom. Eclectically fusing elements of hip hop, R&B, future bass, and electronic soundscapes with fluid, sound reactive imagery, this audiovisual performance explored the nature of light, sound, and the cinematic experience with a live band. Atom and Hannon were accompanied by other musicians behind a translucent screen that was projection mapped by Hannon's visuals, creating a holographic effect. The visuals and music were of a modular nature, making each show a unique adventure for the viewer and the performers.
Hannon and Atom are Charleston natives, who debuted their project locally at the inaugural Charleston Arts Festival Finale in October of 2016.
October 28 – Charleston Arts Festival FINALE at the Royal American
Just in time for Halloween, CAF zapped its signature dance and music season capper across town to the Royal American for a first occasion. Heading the stellar musical bill were a hip-hop line-up lead by Benjamin Starr, Lindsay Holler’s Matadero, fan fave Beach Tiger, and the return of Brave Baby, all being complemented by DJ Sista Misses. The festival’s evermore dance coordinator, Jenny Broe of Dance Lab as always brought the action to the dance stage.