The 2024 North Charleston Arts Fest is just six weeks away, taking place May 1-5. The event offers some excellent exhibition opportunities for fine artists and photographers ages 16 and up, including the annual Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography Competitions & Exhibitions. Entries for these judged competitions are eligible for ribbons and cash prizes and will be on display throughout the festival in Exhibit Hall C at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Complete details and entry instructions for all exhibition opportunities are available for download at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. There is no pre-jury process or application to complete.
Judged Fine Art Competition & Exhibition
Fine artists aged 18 and up are invited to enter original work into the annual North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Fine Art Competition & Exhibition and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $6,550. There are eight accepted media categories: acrylic, oil, drawing, pastel, watercolor, printmaking, printed new media, and 2-D mixed media. Awards will be at the sole discretion of the judge, Maggie Jordan, Exhibition & Studio Director at Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston, SC. Originally from Myrtle Beach, SC, Maggie graduated from the College of Charleston in 2012 with degrees in Art History and Anthropology. For the past decade she has worked for local arts-related non-profits and municipal government agencies, including The Halsey Institute and the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department. In 2022, she (re)joined Redux Contemporary Art Center where she coordinates all exhibitions and manages the center’s artist studio program.
Judged Photography Competition & Exhibition
Professional and amateur photographers aged 16 and up are invited to enter original prints into the annual North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Photography Competition & Exhibition and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $1,450. Submissions will be accepted in the Professional/Advanced division or Amateur division under the categories of Color and Monochrome. This year, awards will be at the sole discretion of the judge, Sirena White-Singleton, owner of Aneris Photography, founder of The Aneris Collective, LLC, and co-founder of The Creative Realm Space. Sirena is a lifestyle, wedding, and branding photographer and small business brand strategist. After receiving a dual degree in Biology and Psychology from Charleston Southern University in 2005, she pursued her passion of photography and entrepreneurship. Her work has been featured in Meet Charleston, Food Network, Charleston Magazine, People Magazine, Travel and Leisure Magazine, and the Today Show.
The Judged Fine Art and Photography Exhibitions are free and open to the public throughout the entirety of the North Charleston Arts Fest. Viewing times are Wednesday, May 1, 6:00-8:00pm, Thursday through Saturday, May 2-4, 10:00am–6:00pm, and Sunday, May 5, Noon-5:00pm. Award winners will be acknowledged at the Arts Fest Opening Celebration in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, May 1, 6:00-8:00pm. The free public celebration features food, live music by The Rod Brown Combo, live art demonstrations by members of the North Charleston Artist Guild, and more, set among the hundreds of pieces of artwork on display. The Exhibition Encore will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 2-5pm. This free event serves as a closing reception for these exhibitions, allowing patrons to view the artwork in a festive atmosphere and make final decisions on purchases. In addition to the vast array of artwork on display, the event offers musical entertainment, fiber art demonstrations, and complimentary “bubbles and bites.”
The 2024 North Charleston Arts Fest, set for May 1-5, will mark the event’s 41st year. The festival schedule offers something for all to enjoy, including concerts, theatre presentations, dance performances, exhibitions, children’s programs, and more. All festival events and activities are FREE. For more information about the Arts Fest, to download the prospectus for the Judged Fine Art and Judged Photography Competitions & Exhibitions, or for details on volunteer opportunities, visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com. For more information about other exhibition opportunities offered by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website, northcharleston.org, or call 843-740-5854.