Four galleries and museums at Chapman Cultural Center will be open for the public’s enjoyment during Spartanburg’s monthly ArtWalk on Thursday, Feb. 19, 5-9 p.m.
ArtWalk is a free community event on the third Thursday of each month when downtown’s art galleries and museums stay open late so that patrons can see what is new on the local art scene. Most venues have receptions, opportunity to meet artists, and refreshments.
At Chapman, Spartanburg Art Museum (SAM), Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery, Spartanburg Regional History Museum, and the Students Galleries will all be open, making Chapman one of the most collective venues in the city.
At SAM, two new exhibitions will be on display. From New York to Nebo: The Artistic Journey of Eugene Thomason is a collection of paintings on loan from The Johnson Collection. Thomason developed the gritty Ashcan School aesthetic as a student in New York into a distinctive regionalist style that captured the color and culture of Appalachia. Dark Corners: The Appalachian Murder Ballads by Juylan Davis is a collection of contemporary oil paintings that offer viewers glimpses into haunting narratives that depict the region’s history, as well as present day culture. Both exhibitions will be on view through April 19. Normal hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. There is no admission charge.
The Guild will have a reception and awards ceremony, 6-9 p.m., for its current exhibit, the Guild Members Show. Artists in this exhibit include Eduardo Sandry, Eula La Croix, Bridget Kirkland, Lou Webster, David Allio, Pat Kabore, Pam Stevens, Susan Seiber, Aimee Wise, Rebekah Dove, Jona Darwin, Doris Turner, Rick Orr, Patty Orr, Cleveland Gosset, Chris Harris, Elizabeth Bagwell, Stacy Beville, Betsy Skipper, Charles Redback, Scott Quinn, Anne Stewart, and Susan Hopps. Until ArtWalk, the public is invited to visit the gallery to vote on their favorite pieces of work. Awards will be made during ArtWalk at which time some of the artists will be on hand to meet and greet. The Guild Gallery is free for public viewing Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg will also highlight member Melissa Earley during a “Demo Night” presentation in the Callie & John Rainey Conference Room, 6-8 p.m. Earley will discuss her process and inspiration for doing bead art, and guests are encouraged to bring their own materials to create their own work.
Student Galleries in the first- and second-floor hallways of the Carlos Dupré Moseley Building will showcase the work of students from Spartanburg County School Districts 1 and 5. There are dozens of drawings, paintings, and mixed-media works of art from students of all ages. As part of its ongoing and extensive arts education program, Chapman Cultural Center has student art on display continuously, rotating about every one and a half months. Normal viewing hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. It is free for public viewing.
Spartanburg Regional History Museum will present its Civil War to Civil Rights exhibit, highlighting stories of the fight for African-American freedom and equality in Spartanburg. Step inside a model slave ship, witness efforts to desegregate schools, and be inspired by community leaders. This exhibit will end February 28. Normal viewing hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.