Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art receives major funding

ARTS

The Halsey Institute for Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston announces the award of an $80,000 program grant from the prestigious Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts for this year and next.

Established in 1987 in accordance with Warhol's will, the foundation's objective is to foster innovative artistic expression and the creative processes that support artists and their work. The foundation values the contribution that organizations like the Halsey Institute make to artists, audiences, and to the community as a whole, explains Rebecca Silberman of the Halsey Institute.

"We are thrilled that the Warhol Foundation will be partnering with us on our next two years of programming," remarks Halsey Director Mark Sloan. "On their site visit last spring, the Warhol program officers were quite impressed to see such ambitious programming generated by such a small staff. This funding comes at a critical time for us, as state funds and individual giving have been in decline since October 2008. In a very real sense, this grant is a life-line."

As the Halsey moves into its new gallery in the Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts, these funds will provide additional support for its innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions, lectures, films, artist residencies, and comprehensive Web site. Over the next two years, the Warhol grant will assist the following exhibitions and related programs: Call and Response: Africa to America — The Art of Nick Cave and Phyllis Galembo; David Stern: The American Years; Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait, Photographs by Chris Jordan; Leslie Wayne: New Paintings; and Present Tense: Vestiges of the Civil War in America.

Warhol (born 1928) was one of the most accomplished and multi-disciplined artists of the twentieth century, and a leader in the avant-garde New York art scene from the 1950s until his death in 1987. He was a pioneer in Pop art, photography, print media, film, and publishing — well-known for his images of Campbell's soup cans, famous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and the Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse-tung.

The Halsey is currently located within the Simons Center for the Arts at 54 St. Philip St., between Calhoun and George Streets, but will relocate this fall into a new, state-of-the-art gallery on the ground floor of the Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts. For more information, call 953-5680 or visit www.halsey.cofc.edu.

August's 'First Friday' on Gallery Row on Historic Broad

This Friday, there will be an art walk on Broad Street as The Broad Street Merchants' Association continue to host their "First Fridays on Broad" series.

Be sure to check out the following new exhibits: Hamlet Fine Art Gallery will feature copper frog sculptures titled "It's Raining Frogs" by Charles Smith and sons, Zan & Beau. Coco Vivo Fine Art & Design will highlight watercolorist Tony van Hasselt, Dutch native and elected member of the American Watercolor Society. Edward Dare will feature "Backroads and the Delta Blues" photography by Ron Anton Rocz. The Mary Martin Gallery will feature "Extreme Realism Photograpy of Flowers" by Scott Peck.

"Clients tell us this is one of their favorite monthly events," said Stephanie Hamlet, owner of Hamlet Fine Art Gallery. "Customers can relax while receiving individual and personalized attention as they browse the vast array of fine art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts, pottery, home accessories, and unique fashions on "Gallery Row."

Participating merchants include: Ellis-Nicholson Gallery, Hamlet Fine Art, Edward Dare Gallery, Coco Vivo, Mary Martin Fine Art, Utopia, Atmah Ja's, Spencer Galleries, Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art, Martin Gallery, Scoop Studios, Jake's, Blind Tiger and the Oak Steak House. Tomorrow night's art walk will take place 5-8 p.m. For more information, visit www.charlestongalleryrow.com or call 722-1944.

Russell Buskirk: Surf Kayaker and Painter

Russell Buskirk seems to have a lot on his "to do" list. From surf-kayaking to period furniture restoration to painting, Buskirk is always up to something.

He paints landscapes, still lifes, architectural subjects, and a few portraits, mostly working in pastel, and has been accepted in numerous exhibitions. He was recently awarded third-place in "The Girl with the Golden Earring" Exhibition at Magnolia Plantation. Buskirk has been a member of the Charleston Artist Guild for three years and is serving his second year as Director of Exhibitions.

Another passion of Russell's is surf kayaking. He has attended four World Competitions and is highly ranked on the East Coast. His goal is to combine his two passions by painting the places he goes to surf.

His works will be on display at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery for the entire month of August. Visit the gallery at 6 North Atlantic Wharf or call 722-2425.