Spartanburg’s monthly ArtWalk will be Thursday, Aug. 20, 5-9 p.m., and many of the local galleries and museums will have new or continuing exhibits for the public to see. ArtWalk is the third Thursday of every month. Many of the art galleries and museums in and near downtown Spartanburg stay open late so that patrons can see what is new on the local art scene. Many of them have wine-and-cheese type refreshments, receptions, and special programs. There is no cost to attend. The participating galleries are as follows:
Chapman Cultural Center
200 East Saint John St., Spartanburg
864.542.ARTS
ChapmanCulturalCenter.org
Through the Lens Photography — Chapman Cultural Center will exhibit works by local photographer and retired Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Jimmy N. Gibson. Gibson became interested in photography during a guided tour of a Buddhist temple by a Korean soldier early in his military career. Throughout the years since then, Gibson has worked with many types of photography, with his favorites being MACRO, still, and portrait photography. Also visit Spartanburg Art Museum and Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery.
Spartanburg Art Museum
Chapman Cultural Center, 200 E. Saint John Street, Spartanburg
SpartanburgArtMuseum.org
Pot Boiler — Pot Boiler is a group exhibition featuring the work of nine artists. This varied and playful exhibition includes a collection of images and objects that range from surreal photographs of toys to large installations to performance based work that activates viewer participation. What appears to be an almost childlike innocence in imagery and objects has metaphorical undertones that resonate in our personal and collective imaginations.
Closing Reception: Jimmy Gibson — SAM will host a closing reception for a close friend of the museum, local artist Jimmy Gibson. Gibson’s exhibition Through The Lens Photography features a variety of photographic techniques and subjects, showcasing the talents of an accomplished artist.
Putt It Together — HUB-BUB and Spartanburg Art Museum are teaming up! Make a wacky putter out of improvised materials! Gather up some quirky items and bring them to SAM 5-7 p.m. during ArtWalk to create your own putter, or make one beforehand for more time to enjoy some delicious refreshments. Supplies are limited so stop by early! Then register for the Putt-It-Together Tournament to compete for the ultimate prize at a Tournament at Sparkle City Mini Putt. (Homemade putters only.) Besides the grand prize, prizes for Most Elegant Putter, Least Functional Putter, and Most Creative putter will be awarded. This do-it-yourself putter workshop is free. The tournament is free for SAM members and $3 for non-members. Both events are family friendly.
Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg
Chapman Cultural Center, 200 East Saint John Street, Spartanburg
ArtistsGuildOfSpartanburg.com
Textures in Colors — Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg is hosting Carol Funke and Kate Thayer in the Guild Gallery this month. There will be a food-and-drink reception during ArtWalk, 5-8 p.m. Funke’s textured handmade papers and pigment dyes has an exciting, interesting feast for patrons’ eyes. Thayer, using pastels and oils, thinks of her paintings as poems – wordless encounters with stunning voices of nature – in its colors and forms.
The Johnson Collection Gallery
154 West Main Street, Spartanburg
TheJohnsonCollection.org/tjc-gallery/
Coming Home — This exhibition features a selection of works from The Johnson Collection that serve as powerful visual representations of the concept of home. Paintings by artists such as Alfred Hutty, Harrison Cady, William Halsey, Gilbert Gaul, and Rudolph Ingerle, among others, conjure memories of one’s own travels leading to a place of comforting familiarity, evoking a sense of peace that is at once palpable and profound.
UPSTATE Gallery on Main
172 E. Main Street, Spartanburg
Bridget Kirkland, artist and graphic designer, continues her exhibit in August and will discuss her work during ArtWalk. Reception 5 to 8 p.m. Kirkland uses her design and photography skills to create work that “recalls memories and interprets through image design.” Also, see selected works by Andy Warhol and Beatrice Riese from the permanent collection.
Kiss The Frog Gallery
518 East Main Street, Spartanburg
First Anniversary Party — Kiss the Frog Gallery will celebrate its first-year anniversary with a glamorous, Hollywood, VIP, red-carpet theme during ArtWalk. The three-day celebration will continue Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring the works of numerous nationally award-winning artists from the Southeast whose works include oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, pottery, sculptures, and photography. Of special interests will be handcrafted jewelry by Betty Holland and Rose Marie, and estate jewelry. A preview of Christmas will also be on display. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails will be served.
Refuel Wine Bar
129 N. Spring Street, Spartanburg
Scott Neely’s work will be on display. Drink and dinner specials will be available during the ArtWalk.
H & K Gallery
151 W. Main Street, Spartanburg
Steve Langley, a regional bubble artist, will be at H&K Gallery for ArtWalk. He will perform an artistic presentation, creating bubble sculptures, putting bubbles inside bubbles, and putting people inside of bubbles.
Art Lounge
500 East Main Street, Spartanburg
Fused Glass Show — Camille Corn and Shelley Sperka became friends while taking fused glass art classes at Tryon Arts and Crafts. Their styles are very different but both love the process of fusing. They work together a great deal at art markets, working on projects and now, having their first art show together. By day, Sperka works in the library at her alma mater, Wofford College. Corn works in marketing and advertising at QS/1.
West Main Artists Co-Op
578 West Main Street, Spartanburg
4th Annual Artist Invitational — This show opens during ArtWalk and runs through Sept. 12. Seventeen local artists were invited to join co-op members in exploring the theme “It’s Alien to Me.” There will be an opening reception with live music by “The Collective Mind.” Invited artists include: Bailie, Stacy Battle, Pam Stevens, Pat Kabore, Carrie Caldwell, Norman Williamson, Shannon Patrick, Alice Kay Mcmillan, Eula La Croix, Thomas Koenig, Alice Smith, Jeremy Kemp, Katee Hargraves, Logan Lockett, Sterling Jackson, Judy Martin and Amanda King. Co-op artists include Beth Regula, Jeanne Brown, Patty Wright, Annette Giaco and several others. The artists will be present to discuss their interpretation of the theme.
Also, Free Pottery Bowl-Making Session — West Main Artists Co-op and the Carolina Clay Artists will host a bowl-making session for the Hub City Empty Bowls 6 until 8:30 p.m. Clay and instruction will be provided free of charge. The bowls made will be used at a fundraiser — Soup Day — at Chapman Cultural Center on Sept. 26.