Together as One by Lenora Brown
Press Release
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 2023 North Charleston Arts Fest, set to take place May 3-7 in North Charleston. 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 16th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition, titled Sister Girl Friends (and Brothers, too). The exhibition will be on display at North Charleston City Hall, opening on the first day of the Arts Fest, May 3, 2023, and remaining on view until June 18, 2023.
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 Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
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. Isadora James once said, “A sister friend is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning a life.” This year's theme looks to celebrate friendships between sisters (and brothers, too), both familial and those chosen along the way. The challenge for this year's exhibit is for artists to create a fiber art piece that explores the special bond between sister girlfriends and the strength that can be drawn from these cherished relationships. Sister girlfriends support, defend, encourage, trust, and advocate for one another. They show up in every way.
Following the close of the exhibition, up to twenty works will be selected to tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum's 2023/2024 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 16th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition: Sister Girl Friends (and Brothers, too) will be on display 8:00am-8:00pm daily from May 3-June 18, 2023, on the 1st and 2nd 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 4, 2023, 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 culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.
