Art Central News

Third Thursday Open House, Minis Arrive!, Artist of the Month, Art Classes and More!! In this month's "Gallery Buzz" - click below for details!

2011-11-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

November Art Central Gallery Buzz - click here for our latest newsletter!

Turtle Bowls

2011-06-26T08:02:00.000-07:00


Turtle Bowl (11" diameter) by Wilma Cantey at Art Central

It's always "turtle season" in the Low Country! Come in to Art Central Gallery (in historic Summerville, SC) to see our wonderful turtle bowls in sizes ranging from 5" to 11". They stand about 1.5-2.5" tall (and prices range from $38 to $110). All bowls are food, microwave and freezer safe. What a beautiful gift for yourself or someone special!

Art Central Makes a Difference!

2011-05-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Art Central is proud to present Meals on Wheels of Summerville with a check to help provide good nutrition to some of our neighbors who need it most. Pictured above (l-r) are artist Renee Bruce, MOW Executive Director, Betsy Luke, and MOW Board member/artist Mary Ann Bridgman. With lots of help from the public, the artists raised these funds at the recent Open Studio Tour. Donations from artists and patrons, ticket sales and a portion of money from art sales on Tour day will be enough to feed one MOW client for an entire year! Thank you to all who participated. Together we can make a difference in our community!

TOMORROW! SHAGGIN AND SHOPPIN IN DOWNTOWN SUMMERVILLE!!

2011-04-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

April 21st! Third Thursday Tomorrow!

Lots of fun in store for all with

D.R.E.A.M. Shaggin and Shoppin in Downtown Summerville tomorrow from 5-8pm.

Art Central plans Demos

with Short Central Art Walk

as Josh Padgette Trio entertains!

Bring your pastel green, we'll provide

some fun and the shoppin!

APRIL 16TH: 2011 OPEN STUDIO TOUR

2011-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

A great day is in store on April 16th rain or shine from 11am to 6pm for studio tour visitors!
An inside peek at how and where our artists create, a good cause to support, and a variety of light refreshments among the various studio locations await you.

Raising money for Meals On Wheels of Summerville, Inc. is OUR destination!
This dedicated community-sponsored program provides home-delivered meals for those who are unable to prepare good food for themselves. Each weekday, about 175 meals are prepared in the Meals on Wheels kitchen by staff cooks. The meals are packaged and delivered by teams of volunteers throughout the greater Summerville area. In 2010, more than 44,000 meals were prepared and delivered.For further information or to volunteer, please contact Betsy Luke, Executive Director (843 873-8224).

Pick up your tickets and tour maps at Art Central Gallery now! $15 in advance, or $20 at each artist's studio location on the day of the studio tour. Light refreshments will be served at each location!
In addition to donating profits from ticket sales, 10% of gallery and studio sales during the tour will benefit M.O.W. of Summerville! Visitors' donations to Meals On Wheels of Summerville are welcome!

Stop by our Booth!

2011-03-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Flowertown Festival will be here before we know it! We'd love to see you at our booth (S-4), which is next to the spot we had last year. It's located near the Cuthbert Center (Azalea Hut/tennis courts), on the sidewalk parallel to Main Street. Come see us and let's talk about art!!!

Pollen count forecasts a blooming, booming Flowertown Festival

2011-03-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Now is the time for an inch or so of rain and then a nice break until after the Flowertown Festival on April 1-3!!! Wouldn't it be great if we could place an request like that? Just a bit of rain to knock down some pollen, keep the flowers fresh, extinguish grass fires, and grow some more flowers is all I'm thinking.

Art Central Gallery will have a tent in the park as will Festival featured artist, Kathleen Wiley. A great festival to Kathy and to all!

Buy your tickets for the 3rd Annual Art Central On Wheels for Meals On Wheels of Summerville on April 16th at the gallery or in the park!

Shades of Green Shamrocks for March 17th!

2011-03-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

"St. Patrick's Day and Third Thursday
D.R.E.A.M. celebrations in one!"

How many Shades of Green will you find on Short Central Avenue this Thursday evening? It's a lucky afternoon to be out!

Josh Padgett Trio by the green.
Demos by Artists of Art Central, 'Themes in Green.'
Introducing Tug Mathison, recent exhibiting artist.

Will you receive a lucky shamrock?

3rd Annual Art Central Studio Tour On Wheels
for Meals On Wheels of Summerville!
April 16th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Six studios around Summerville will open to ticket holders.
Tour Tent Show at Art Central Gallery on Short Central.

Tickets now on sale $15; $20 day of the event
Art Central Ltd. Gallery, 130 Short Central Avenue

D.R.E.A.M. Third Thursday is March 17th!

2011-03-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

5-8 pm on Thursday, March 17th, get your green on at ART CENTRAL!

Tickets for the April 16th Studio Tour for Meals On Wheels of Summerville are $15 and available now through the gallery or by phone, 843 871 0297.

Welcome New Artist!

2011-03-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

Art Central welcomes Tug Mathisen to the gallery! His paintings are bright and cheerful. Come by to see them and meet Tug.

Still Life Challenge

2011-02-26T10:48:00.000-08:00

Art Central artists interpret this lovely still life by Detta Cutting Zimmerman for a future Third Thursday.
Tastes and tulips? Apple a Day? Red White and Blue? Which view will each choose?

KING CAKE at ART CENTRAL'S 3RD THURSDAY

2011-02-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

With a Mardi Gras flourish, artists Sarah Kuhnell and Renee W. Bruce serve the last tidbits of King Cake at Art Central's February Third Thursday event.
Did you pull a good fortune? Visit www.artcgalleryltd.com to download a copy of this delicious recipe.

Photography Exhibit Now on View at Summerville Town Hall!

2011-02-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to June Peel Sullivan on a well-earned ribbon for "Tri-Colored Heron" in the second ABCC Town Hall Photography Exhibit.

Given with a Heart!

2011-02-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

"Ocean Breezes" (watercolor) by Helen K. Beacham

The "Heart Ball" raises funds and awareness for a great cause each year. When you attend this year's gala event in Charleston, be sure to bid high on Helen Beacham's "Ocean Breezes"!

2011-02-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

Spring is on it's way! The daylilies are sprouting, the birds are singing. Even the groundhog says spring will come early. I'm ready!

This Week!

2011-02-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
What a beautiful start to a busy week!

Art Central joins the Mardi Gras Parade to celebrate downtown and Love You Back Summerville! for Third Thursday, February 17th, 5-8 p.m.

More bells and whistles! More ruffles and drum rolls!!
Ticket sales open soon for the
3rd Annual Art Central On Wheels for
Meals On Wheels of Summerville Studio Tour!
Save April 16th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and visit Art Central for your ticket.

2011-02-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Helen Beacham, Christine Crosby, Yvonne Rousseau, and Sarah Kuhnell for contributing prints to be auctioned at Summerville Rotary Club's Gift of Life campaign during the month of February. Your gifts will help provide life-saving surgeries to children of third world countries who would otherwise have no other options. Summerville Rotary Club (summervillerotary-clubs.org) conducts a Gift of Life (http://www.giftoflifeinternational.com/pages/index.php) auction each February during its weekly meetings. At incipiency MUSC and it's staff was the only participating hospital conducting heart surgeries. Now there are three additional hospitals throughout the state and the scope of the surgeries has been broadened to include other areas, such as burns. Rotary's contribution to the project has been to provide for a relative to travel with each child. Often parents stay in the homes of local Rotarians during the children's hospitalizations. Art Central has been a contributor to this project for several years by donating photography, prints, and originals for auction.

Art Central Artists Are Winners!

2011-02-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

Five Art Central artists have taken home ribbons from the Summerville Artist's Guild 2011 Judged Show, including the "Best of Show" winner, Kathleen Wiley. Pictured here are (l-r) Kathleen Wiley, Mary Ann Bridgman, Detta Zimmerman, Delaine Walters and Sarah Kuhnell. Visit the Dorchester County Library at 76 Trolley Road, Summerville, to see all the great paintings. The show continues through February 11, 2011.

First Summerville Town Hall Art Show

2011-02-02T08:34:00.001-08:00

An Honorable Mention Award was given to Bette Lu Bentley-Layne for her painting entitled "Dancing For Joy" . The show hung in the new annex for most of December and January. The new exhibit beginning in February will showcase photography.

February Featured Artist

2011-01-31T08:53:00.000-08:00

Helen K. Beacham is reminding us what Summerville's all about...the flowers! It won't be long before our gardens will be blooming, but meanwhile why not come see her show that's hanging at Art Central through the month of February. The series is entitled "Floral Delight" and is sure to make you long for Spring!

"French Poppies and Wildflowers" donation to Chase After A Cure

2011-01-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

Art Central Artist, Alexandra Kassing donated her work in oil, "French Poppies and Wildflowers" to the charity auction for the gala event Chase After A Cure to be held on February 19th, 2011 at the Charleston Marriott. Several other Art Central artists have also donated artwork for the event. Proceeds from the auction items that evening will go to raise funds for children's cancer research.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Chase After A Cure website: http://www.chaseafteracure.com/events.html

The Pain of Silence

2011-01-26T17:31:00.000-08:00

Silence hurts?

Yes, silence hurts!

Well, in most circumstances it is golden, can heal, cuts stress but 0, no, nunca, nada comments on a blog page hurts:(

It is painful to acknowledge less interest than is desirable but there shall be blogs! comments!

2011-01-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

Excited to hear that ARTISTS will soon be returning to win t.v. challenges and their own major one-man show but I'm seriously challenged on remembering its title for this post! But not too embarrassed to ask: Any help out there???

I followed a few episodes of the cross country ARTRACE that recently ran on Ovation TV, missing the final and the winner, of course.

Congratulations to the artist who won the recent REDUX Portrait Draw-down Challenge!

Mainly Maine

2011-01-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

MAINLY MAINE, presented by Mary Ann Bridgeman, artist of the month at Art Central Gallery in Summerville remains on view through January. Feel the strength of the light and cool freshness of the air in these watercolors of the northeast coast. Great paintings!

ART CENTRAL 2011 STUDIO TOUR for MEALS ON WHEELS OF SUMMERVILLE

2011-01-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

Save Saturday, April 16th to attend the

2011 Art Central's Studio Tour

To Benefit Meals On Wheels of Summerville!

Chase After a Cure

2011-01-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

Some of the artists of Art Central Gallery have chosen to donate a piece of their work for an auction to raise funds for the research of neuroblastoma. This original painting "Evening Walk", donated by Bette Lu Bentley-Layne, www.BentleyArt.com, will be available at the Third Annual event on February 19, 2011, at the Charleston Marriott Hotel. Visit www.ChaseAfterACure.com for more information.

Beacham demonstrates at the Woodlands Inn

2010-11-11T05:19:00.000-08:00

"Look Within" (acrylic mixed media) by Helen K. Beacham

This Sunday (Nov 14, 2010), Helen Beacham will demonstrate her watercolor painting techniques from 11am-1pm as the featured artist at the Woodlands Inn. She will be located in the dining room during their gourmet Sunday Brunch. In addition, other local artists will display their work on the grounds of the Inn from 1pm-5pm.

Every Sunday in 2010, indulge in Woodlands Inn's Lowcountry Grand Sunday Brunch. This sumptuous buffet features Lowcountry favorites, utilizing local produce and products and each dish is created by Woodlands’ Five Star culinary team. $42 per person, $15 children (4–12), 3 & under eat free.

Art Walk - August 19, 2010

2010-08-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

What a great Art Walk last night! There was a party on the street with artists mingling, great food and live jazz music. Join us for next Third Thursday on September 16th from 5-8pm.

New Mixed Media Pieces on Display

2010-08-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have 4 of my Acrylic Mixed Media Pieces at Art Central this month...Stop by the gallery during tomorrow night's Art Walk and see them for yourself!
"Charleston Textures" series
by Helen K. Beacham

Image for Flowertown Festival 2011

2010-08-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Artist Kathleen Wiley's oil painting of a white water lily has been selected as the image for the 2011 Flowertown Festival. Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival has been a Summerville, South Carolina tradition since 1971. The three-day event features over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale on the beautiful grounds of Azalea Park and on Main Street. Festival attendees also enjoy delicious foods from local restaurants at the Taste of the Town, fun activities and rides for children at the Children’s Jubilee and free admission and parking.

Save the date now! April 1, 2 and 3rd 2011.
Thank you for visiting!

August Featured Artist- Alexandra Kassing

2010-08-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

The featured artist this month is Alexandra Kassing. Her newest works are oil paintings painted with a palette knife and inspired by her trip to Europe this summer. The paintings have vibrant, lively colors and a wonderful impasto texture. The first painting is a poppy field in Spain. Other scenes are from France and England.

Thank you for visiting!

Judy Jacobs Jewelry for Team in Training

2010-08-11T19:13:00.001-07:00

Our very talented jeweler- Judy Jacobs is training for a half marathon to raise awareness and money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. During the month of August Judy will be donating 100% of her sales from Art Central Gallery in Summerville and Courtyard Gallery in Charleston. Visit her page @
http://pages.teamintr...aining.org/sc/diswine10/jjacobsza9 for more details.

11 Years and Pushing the Limits!

2009-11-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

Art Central recently celebrated 11 years! Here are a few photographs from the reception. We had a wonderful evening of wine, live music from Steve Jacobs and catering from April Agren. Door prizes of wine, chocolates and gift certificates to Firewater Grill were awarded in a drawing at the close of the evenings festivities. We would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in making this event a memorable occasion. We would also like to thank everyone for voting in our People's Choice and Favorite Artist. After all the votes were tallied the favorite artist was Helen Beacham and the People's choice for favorite art was Kathleen Wiley's oil painting "Auspice".

Sarah Allums Kuhnell's Portrait Demo

2009-09-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

On September 3rd Art Central artist Sarah Allums Kuhnell gave a portrait demonstration in pastels to the members of the Summerville Artists Guild. In a very short time she skillfully demonstrated gesture drawing, blocking in values, and the creative use of colors in the pastel medium. The model for the portrait was Art Central artist Kathleen Wiley.

Sarah will be offering a Portrait Workshop through the Summerville Artist Guild in January.

Last Art Walk of 2009

2009-09-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for September 17th. This is the last Art Walk of the year on Short Central. We hope you can join us from 5pm-8pm for an evening of Art, Wine and great music! The band in the photo shown is the "Josh Padgett Band" from our July Art walk.

Beacham wins 1st Place for Watercolor

2009-05-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 14, one of Art Central's artists, Helen K. Beacham, took 1st Place for her watercolor painting entitled NOT "on edge" at the Community of I'On Artists Guild's Spring Show. A total of 152 paintings were submitted to this prestigious exhibition. NOT "on edge" is part of Beacham's "Barefoot..." series, and the painting is currently hanging back at Art Central Gallery for the remainder of the month.

The Creative Process by Renee Bruce

2009-04-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

What an honor it was to talk to the Summerville Writer’s Guild about my creative process. As a visual artist, my process involves forming an idea for a painting, gathering reference materials, sketching and refining the design and painting the final image. Anything that strikes me as beautiful might become a subject for a painting—sunlight on a blossom, a row of live oak trees, the sky—the list goes on. Usually, I collect my own reference material whenever I find it. Magnolias are a favorite subject, but their blooming season tends to be very busy for me. Almost never do I get to paint the blossoms while they are on the trees! Usually I content myself with photos shot during their peak time and painting sessions in the studio using my photographs as reference.
I don’t know if a painting is worth a thousand words, but I do know that creating has some universal elements, whether your medium is the written word or paint. Ideas form, take shape and develop and, finally, emerge to stand on their own. This process is for me a spiritual exercise. Creating art gives me a way to experience my world, to think about my feelings and responses and to express my ideas.

Ode to the Live Oak Tree

2009-03-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

I am having a love affair with live oak trees. My husband doesn’t mind; he built us a house among them. My studio window looks out into their canopies. It’s like my own personal Eden.
I like their majestic trunks, which can be gray or lavender or chocolate according to the light. Live oak branches grow in all directions and look like arms waving in the breeze. Sometimes they swoop down to touch the earth. When the evening sun turns the leaves to gold, it takes my breath away.
Standing next to a live oak that is hundreds of years old makes me feel small and insignificant. Yet, I also feel something else—the power of nature, the precious vulnerability of the landscape, my privilege to live among these giant trees, my desire not to harm them or their environment.

Donation To Summerville ASPCA

2009-02-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

During the month of January, our Gallery took donations on behalf of the Summerville ASPCA. This photograph shows artist Kathleen Wiley donating the money collected, as well as several donations made by the artists.

The Purpose For This Blog.

2009-01-15T17:58:00.000-08:00

This blog was created to be a more interactive site for people to visit. There are 13 different artists in our gallery (plus consignment artists) and it seems like we always have so many individual projects going on. As artists, we are inspired by the experiences in our daily lives. This blog will give us an opportunity to journal our artistic endeavors and share a more personal side of an artist's life. We also will be putting alot of our upcoming events on here. For more information please visit our gallery's web site at www.artcgalleryltd.com
- posted by Kathleen Wiley