Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2010

Uh, oh - only Day 4 and

 

How many artists does it take to plug in a fan outside?

Especially on a day that was at least 10 degrees cooler than the past 3 days - a little overcast, but it never rained - In Outdoor Art Speak, we call that "perfect" weather...

WINNERS CONTINUED...

Scott Henderson, Photographer  

with 

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 MERIT AWARD for "Low Country Creek"

 David Edwards, Photographer
and
MERIT AWARD for "Lucy & Lucy Bell Crater"

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Artist Hilarie Lambert
JUDGE'S CHOICE AWARD for "Girl with Camera"

Several years ago, my friend Carol Gardner, another Piccolo Spoleto artist, were modeling our vintage sunglasses at the art show and Hilarie was stunned and ran for her camera, not just because we're so photogenic:

but she really liked the sunglasses and mentioned that she wanted to use us as models

for a vintage "Beach Babe" series...

I spotted it the first day of this year's show - I would have known us anywhere!

Mimi and Carol, Finally Famous as "The Beach Girls" by Hilarie Lambert.

Thank you, Hilarie!

Today is Memorial Day, and Marion Square was full of buyers, browsers and musicians, such as Clarence McDonald, Xylophone Player Extraordinaire.  I liked his outfit, too!

Clarence McDonald, Musician and Patriot

With today being a holiday, lots of artists' families were out and about - artist Dale Watson is new to the show this year and learning the logistics fast.  Not only is he an excellent artist, he's also a nice guy and deserves a medal for 2010 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show Above and Beyond the Call of Art Duty (he set my tent up Thursday afternoon). His wife Ann and daughter Samantha came out to the park today and I used them shamelessly to promote my art...

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Samantha and Ann Watson

In addition, I took a picture of Ann and Dale in front of his booth  which I thought would be a smart move in case I need him to help put up my tent again next year.

Artist Dale Watson and his wife, Ann

Finally, Memorial Day Weekend finishes with the Memorial Day Concert in Marion Square, courtesy of the Charleston Community Band - like I said, the park was full:

Enjoying the Memorial Day Concert

in Honor of our Veterans

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Phyllis and Andy Nelson

Memorial Day, May 31, 2010

Marion Square, Charleston, SC 

On this Memorial Day 2010, let me tell you a little about Andrew W. Nelson III.  He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1952 and saw active duty in both World War II and the Korean Conflict.  During World War II, Andy served throughout the Pacific as a Navy Frogman and participated in several major invasions - Palau Islands Invasion, Philippine Islands Invasions and the Invasion of Okinawa.  Andy earned every one of the many medals you see on his chest - the Bronze Star with Valor (V), the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of War with 3 Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippines Liberation Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, just to name a few.  Andy and Phyllis have been volunteering this weekend at another Piccolo Spoleto Visual Arts Event across the street, "Passing Notions?" and have eaten out twice this weekend at downtown restaurants.  I understand that, at both restaurants, the server, near the end of the meal, came and informed Andy and Phyllis that another diner had already paid for their meal.  Whoever you are, thank you for honoring Andy and his service to our country.

Later, after the Memorial Day Concert, sitting at my booth with Phyllis and Andy in that last hour before closing time, I was able to witness what I felt to be a most significant meeting, as 5 young sailors stationed at the Charleston Naval Weapons Stations rounded the corner and they saw Andy and Andy saw them.

"Faith, Courage, Service True

With Honor Over, Honor Over All."