African American Fiber Artists Sought for 17th Annual Exhibition in North Charleston

Themed exhibition calls for submissions from artists across the nation

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is seeking entries from African American textile artists from across the nation for a special exhibition presented as a component of the 2024 North Charleston Arts Fest, set to take place May 1-5 in North Charleston, SC. African American artists, ages 18 and up, living in the United States and working in the medium of fiber are invited to participate in the 17th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, titled Celebrating Black Music. The exhibition will be on display at North Charleston City Hall, opening on the first day of the Arts Fest, May 1, 2024, and remaining on view until June 16, 2024. A $30 entry fee allows artists to submit a maximum of four entries for consideration. Up to two entries per artist may be selected by the curator of the exhibition. Artwork submitted for consideration does not have to be complete at time of entry. Artists may enter works in progress. The application can be accessed online at http://NorthCharlestonCulturalArtsDepartment.SlideRoom.com. Read the exhibition parameters carefully. Terms and regulations must be followed exactly or entries will not be accepted. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 1, 2024.

Curated by award winning master art quilter and curator, Torreah “Cookie” Washington, this unique exhibition offers African American fiber artists a showcase to display their original and innovative designs. African Americans have a rich, deep, vibrant musical culture. Black musicians, singers, and songwriters are the undoubted pioneers of American music, laying the foundation for genres such as hip-hop, R&B, jazz, blues, country, rock ‘n roll, and more. Black Music is the soundtrack of our lives, offering one of the most inescapable examples of the importance of the African American experience to the cultural heritage of all Americans, regardless of race or origin. This year’s theme looks to pay homage to legends of Black American music, challenging artists to create a fiber art piece that honors and uplifts Black music and musicians.

Following the close of the exhibition, up to twenty works will be selected to tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2024/2025 Traveling Exhibitions Program.  Sites across South Carolina may request the exhibit to tour in their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists.

The 17^h Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition: Celebrating Black Music will be on display 8:00am-8:00pm daily from May 1-June 16, 2024, on the 1^st and 2^nd floors of North Charleston City Hall, located at 2500 City Hall Lane in North Charleston. Admission is free. A free public reception in honor of the participating artists will be held at North Charleston City Hall on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 6:00-8:00pm. For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest, the annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854, email [email protected], or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.