Growing Art in Charleston

For years, Lowcountry residents have flocked to local farms to buy their seasonal CSA, or community supported agriculture, shares. This pre-purchasing of the season’s produce helps support the farmer through the growing season and ensures that a set amount will be distributed to eagerly awaiting customers. So why can’t the same concept work for art? Apparently it can, because before the founders of Charleston Supported Arts (CSA) even announced the opening of their first art “season” this past February, almost 20 of the 96 available shares were already sold.
“We’ve gotten an amazing response so far. We’ve already sold sixteen shares for the spring 2014 season and at least one share has been sold for every season this year,” says co-founder, artist, and West Ashley resident Kristy Bishop.
The idea for an art CSA came about rather organically for Bishop and co-founders Camela Guevara, Stacy Huggins, Karen Ann Myers, Erin Glaze Nathanson, AnneTrabue Nelson, and Ann Simmons. Using the agricultural CSA model as a basis, the art CSA put out a call to artists throughout the tricounty area with the goal of selecting six artists per season: spring/summer, fall, and winter. CSA members who purchased one of each season’s 32 available shares for $450 would then receive one piece of original art from each of the six artists; six pieces total. For creating these 32 pieces, each artist receives a $1500 stipend, as well as the reward of increased recognition for their work through the program.
Almost 100 artists applied to participate in the inaugural CSA, and it was up to a carefully selected jury to narrow the applicants down to the final 18.
“Artists sent in work from their portfolios, as well as ideas on what they would do for their thirty-two pieces. We narrowed it down to thirty applicants and asked them each to make a prototype example of their work, and from those we picked the ones we thought would work best for each season,” says Bishop.
Artists, she adds, were not only selected for their work but also to create a diversity of formats and mediums in each season. The spring/summer share, for example, includes Jennifer Ervin (photographer), Tina Hirsig (mixed media), Anna Hopkins (sculpture), Alan Jackson (pen and ink), Joshua Lynn (painting) and Kate MacNeil (intaglio).
“We have a great group this year. There’s a huge range in age as well as established to emerging artists and mediums include ceramics, woodworking, print making and sculpture,” says Bishop.
To kick off their first season and to give art buyers a chance to meet this year’s artists, the CSA will be hosting a free Meet and Greet at Redux Contemporary Art Center in downtown Charleston this Thursday, March 6, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. All 18 artists will be present and refreshments will be provided by Three Little Birds and Frothy Beard Brewing Company.
“The meet and greet will be set up like an artists’ fair. There will be two people per table and they’ll be divided by season; spring/summer in one section, fall and winter in others. Each artist will have a selection of their current work on view either physically or represented on media such as an iPad. It’s a great chance to learn about the artists and then purchase a share if you’re interested,” says Bishop.
The pick-up event will also be an exciting event for the CSA. As share holders arrive to pick up their works, they will have the opportunity to chat with the artists about their new pieces. Locations for each pick-up event will vary and hosts for this year include GrowFood Carolina, Mixson Bath & Racquet Club, and 1600 Meeting Street.
“With the CSA, we’re hoping to grow an appreciation for contemporary art in Charleston as well as branch out the local artists’ community and work with other groups not just in visual arts. Hopefully we’ll be able to hold future events in West Ashley, North Charleston, and other areas that don’t have as many art-oriented events,” says Bishop.
 
The CSA Meet & Greet will take place this Thursday, March 6, at Redux Contemporary Arts Center, 136 St Philip St in downtown Charleston, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.charlestonsupportedart.com.