Plenty of visual arts options during Spoleto, Piccolo

Each year, the Spoleto Festival brings tons of visitors to the Charleston area to partake of its many performing arts festivities, and this year promises to be even more packed with cool new artistic creations. Personally, I'm super excited to check out "Monkey: Journey to the West," a vibrant circus opera with elaborate costumes; "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," a quirky London-based cabaret theater piece; "The Be(A)st of Taylor Mac," a sequin-studded transvestite playing a ukulele; the opera "L'Amistad," highlighting the famous story of the legendary slave ship ... the list goes on.

However, every year I hear from different gallery owners and artists that there just never seems to be very much visual art taking place during Spoleto.

Well, the Charleston art community has decided to take matters into their own hands.

Of course, there are always lots of artists showcasing their work in Marion Square for Piccolo Spoleto, which is truly a sight to behold. The city holds its annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Juried Art Exhibition, so artists in the square will be sweating it out in the late spring heat, talking to people about their artwork each day for the next three weeks. Be sure to go by and say hello, meet some of these artists and browse the art.

Check out the following interesting new visual art exhibits taking place throughout the city over the next few weeks.

CFADA

In conjunction with this year's Spoleto Festival, the galleries of the Charleston Fine Art Dealers' Association, renowned for bringing the fine art of excellence from all over the globe to our city, will join the city of Charleston in celebrating world culture with special exhibitions and events.

The Corrigan Gallery is exhibiting "Celebration," a show of works by Richard Hagerty. This special show also is the Piccolo Spoleto Invitational observing Hagerty's status as the commissioned official poster artist for the 30th Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The gallery is located at 62 Queen St., and the show will be up until June 15.

To celebrate Spoleto, the Charleston Renaissance Gallery will feature a new exhibition titled "Edges: Paintings by Linda Fantuzzo." Don't miss the chance to see this renowned local artist's work. The gallery is located at 103 Church St., and the show will be on display until June 16.

On Friday at 7 p.m., the Martin Gallery will present a 90-minute event celebrating a variety of art forms called "Dreamweavers." Discussing their life in art, nationally acclaimed sculptor C.T. Whitehouse will be accompanied by his wife, award-winning author Barbara Joose. With live performances by poet/musician Kurt Lamkin and storyteller Lynn Ruehlmann, this event will be an interesting collaboration of different art forms open to art lovers of all ages. Following the program, everyone is invited to attend a reception, where they can meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. The event is free, and there will be a reception immediately afterward. The Martin Gallery is located at 18 Broad St.

Smith-Killian Fine Art will feature a show by Kim English, with an opening reception June 6. The show will be on display until June 18. "The gallery is recognized as Charleston's gallery for contemporary realism and color," says gallery Director Leigh Limehouse. Visit Smith-Killian Fine Art at 9 Queen St.

In conjunction with Spoleto, the Wells Gallery will feature a figurative show called "A Collection of Figurative Works," throughout May. This show will feature all gallery artists, plus special guest artists Robert Lange, Alex Rahav, Shannon Smith and Kate Long Stevenson. The Wells Gallery is now at its new location at 125 Meeting St.

'Evolution Art Show'

As an alternative to the more upscale performing and visual arts events taking place during Spoleto, artist Phillip Hyman has created his own "alternative music and arts festival" called the "Evolution Art Show." "Evolution" will take place in various venues all over Charleston today through June 7.

The first show of "Evolution" will be held tonight at Voodoo Lounge in West Ashley and is called the "Accidental Evil Art Show." The show will begin at 8 p.m. and will feature Julio Cotto, Ishmael, Bad Jon, John Pundt, Proton and more local artistic renegades.

For Saturday's "Evolution Art Show" event, there will be the "Photography Show" at Vickery's Bar & Grill (downtown), featuring Hasenda Baxter, Sarah Goldman, Donna Jones, Bad Jon, Chuck Keppler, Steven McCabe, Nancy Santos, Trey Sedalik and others.

May 31, "Evolution" will take place at Mixson Avenue in North Charleston from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This daylong show will take place at various venues, restaurants, galleries, etc. all around the Mixson and East Montague Avenue areas. Some of the participating locations include The Mill, Evo Pizzeria, Sesame Burgers and Beer, South of Broadway, Madra Rua, Outdoor Outfitters, Johnny's Olde Village Grill and Spirits, and The Meeting Place. Artists involved include Phillip Hyman, James Christopher Hill, Kevin Harrison, Chuck Keepler, Connie O'Donald, Sharen Mitchell, Mike Lane, Razz, Peter Scala, Fred Jamar, Lisa Shimko and others. There will be live music throughout the day, including acts from Evlectric, Mike Wolk Jazz Group, MC Pipps, The Keepers, The 33s, the Defilers and more. There also will be some short films by Nick Smith, a live-painting demonstration by Tim Showers, a 48-foot-long graffiti wall and a capoeira show by Capoeira Charleston. All in all, there will be tons of progressive art, music and performances throughout the day.

For more information on the rest of the "Evolution" events, call Phillip Hyman at 345-3670 or visit www.myspace.com/evolutionartshow.

Student recognized

Art Institute of Charleston interior design student Cassie Schmitt won first place in a rug design competition sponsored by Fine Rugs of Charleston and Momeni Rugs of New York City.

"Schmitt had a vision, and despite recommendations to alter her design, she knew she had created something special," says public relations director Paige Crone. Schmitt's instincts and determination paid off. As part of the award package, in June she'll board a plane to New York City to visit several top design firms and various design museums. Store owner Rob Leahy of Fine Rugs of Charleston adds, "Cassie Schmitt's design will be manufactured into a rug and may be added to the line — what an opportunity for an interior design student."

Earlier this year, Schmitt and her classmates were tasked with the challenge of designing a fine rug, and the incentive was more than a good grade. The Art Institute of Charleston teamed up with Fine Rugs of Charleston, awarding the student with the best rug design an all-expense paid, three-day trip to New York. Schmitt took the top prize, while runner-up, Holly Spake, received $300 cash and a 4-foot-by-6-foot area rug from Fine Rugs of Charleston.

The winners were announced at a reception last week at The Art Institute Gallery and treated to dinner at the Harbor Club.

The rug designs were reviewed and judged by top local interior designers, Margaret Donaldson, owner of Margaret Donaldson Interiors, and Lisa Kerr of LS3P, as well as Marlys Giordano, the director of product development at Momeni Rugs in New York City. The contest was such a success that Leahy and Grant plan to do it again next year.

For more information, get in touch with The Art Institute of Charleston, 24 North Market St., or visit www.artinstitutes.edu. Fine Rugs of Charleston is located at 482 King St. in the Upper King Street Design District.

Community of I'On Artists

The Community of I'On Artists began last year with a half-dozen artists and a simple idea: to share and to learn from each other. Today, it is a fast-growing organization of more than 100 members who are artists in all different media, from beginners to professionals. Its purpose is to provide learning experiences at all levels, to promote artistic activities and the exchange of ideas, and to build a reputation as a thriving art community.

Join them for its 3rd Annual Spring Art Show this evening from 6 to 8:30 at the Creek Club, 44 Saturday Road, in the I'On Village. This show is sponsored by Chuck Avera Real Estate with generous contributions from The I'On Club, deGuise Interiors, I'On Biznet, and Artist. For more information, view our Web site at www.ionartist.com or e-mail info@ionartist.com.