The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department is proud to announce the selection of four Lowcountry visual artists to serve as the City’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) for its quarterly residency program in 2025. The City’s AIR serves as a visual art ambassador for the North Charleston community. Along with creating new work in the 270 sq. ft. AIR Studio located within the Park Circle Community Building, these artists will collaborate with the City’s Cultural Arts Department to offer opportunities for artistic engagement for North Charleston citizens during their residency period. The 2025 Artists-in-Residence are: Ester Araujo, Najee Wilson, Kenish Harmon, and Jennifer York.
Selections were made from a pool of 30 applicants, with the goal of coordinating a roster of four artists of varying backgrounds, working in different media, and exhibiting diverse studio practices for the North Charleston community to engage with. Ester Araujo of Goose Creek will be working on paintings and fiber pieces in the AIR Studio from January through March. Najee Wilson of North Charleston, SC, will showcase bookmaking and multi-media work incorporating photography, film, and soundscapes during his April through June residency. In July through September, North Charleston-based artist Kenish Harmon will share her oil painting practice. Jennifer York of James Island will close out the year with her intricate papercut work from October through December.
A selection of each artist’s works will be displayed in the common areas of the Park Circle Community Building, located at 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, during their residency. More work will be added as it is completed, with a full exhibition of works displayed at the conclusion of each residency period. A free public reception will be held at that time. In the meantime, visitors are welcome to view the work on display and visit the AIR Studio during the building’s regular public hours, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Each artist will host public open studio hours throughout their residency. Times will vary.
More information about the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department’s AIR program, as well as the department’s other programs, exhibits, and events, can be found on the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website at https://culturalarts.