From staff reports
The highly anticipated 62nd annual Beaufort Art Association Spring Art Exhibit, titled “Unveiled,” is just around the corner — Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13. The public is invited, and admission is free.
This year the show will be located in the lovely Old Bay Marketplace & Rooftop in downtown Beaufort at 917 Bay Street. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and Friday until 6 p.m. It’s a perfect opportunity to see the lovely venue and view from the rooftop and enjoy a wide variety of the best art Beaufort County has to offer.
Local artists, BAA members and non-members alike, plus budding artists from area high schools are invited to participate. Guidelines, forms, and more information about deadlines and registration are available online at www.beaufortartassociation.com.
BAA is proud to announce that Amiri Farris has been selected to judge this year’s show, their largest art exhibit and fundraiser of the year. Farris is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and university professor who received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. As Artist Laureate of the Technical College of the Lowcountry, he has taught numerous courses in painting and design and has judged major fine arts competitions nationally, including the MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston and programs at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte. His vibrant, layered works celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage, the Lowcountry, and cultural storytelling.
With more than 100 pieces of original art expected to be in the show, there will be something for everyone to enjoy! The area’s finest works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography, mixed media, clay, wood, glass, metal, fine art jewelry and more will be featured. All art will be for sale, so treat yourself or someone you love to a one-of-a-kind treasure.
This year’s co-chairs for the event are painter Anne Short and potter Traci Walter, both active members of the association.
“It is a privilege to be involved with such talented artists. We look forward to an outstanding show,” Short said.
More than $3,000 in prizes will be awarded, including “Best in Show,” First, Second, and Third places, the “Founders Award,” “3-D Award,” and several memorial awards.
“There will also be the coveted “Peoples Choice Award” voted on by all visitors to the show,” said Walter.
In addition, art from local high schools will be judged in several categories with monetary awards presented in memory of Geneva Litchfield.
“We want to thank our community for their generosity in donations and sponsorships to help make this year’s show a success,” said Walter. “A VIP evening on Monday, March 9, will be held for our donors and artists. Amiri, our judge, will be there and awards will be presented to the winners.”
In conjunction with the show, Farris will be teaching a Professional Art Development Workshop on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort Campus. Cost is $75 per person, with a portion going to benefit the BAA Spring Show, and space is limited to 40 participants.
This workshop is designed for emerging and mid-career artists, focusing on the process of preparing artwork for presentation, both visually and conceptually. The workshop is open to the public but registration must be made in advance by contacting either Anne Short at anneshort13@gmail.com or Traci Walter at jollypigpottery@gmail.com. Once registered, payment will be accepted for the workshop in cash or check at the door.
Beaufort Art Association is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), powered entirely by donations and volunteers.