Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013 - Saturday, June 8, 2013 - Day 16

LAST OFFICIAL DAY FOR 2013 SHOW

However, several of us will be open for a few hours tomorrow - you can still come!

Update on Tent Damage

Dead Tree Branch with Torn Tent  Roof

Here you can see how thick and long the branch is.

This scene is what Artist Daryl Knox saw when he opened his tent yesterday morning.

Today was the last official day of the 2013 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition.  Beautiful weather after 5 straight days of rain.  The Farmers' Market was in full swing - the park was festive, and we even had our own Sophie Stalnaker (daughter of Artist Sheryl Stalnaker) give us a Cello Concert!

Sophie and her Cello

Artist Laurie Meyer walked around the front of her tent this morning only to discover she had been 

"South of the Bordered"!

It's easy to recognize what day it is in a 16-day outdoor art show...

The Second Annual Red Solo Cup Race was a Rousing Success!

The Grand Winner is "Work In Progress" (Scott Penegar)

Video to be uploaded in the coming days (in process of editing)

 1st Place: Scott Penegar
2nd Place:  K.C. Collins
3rd Place:  Laurie Meyer

Bob Graham was first place winner last year, but he's a runner, and since he was participating in the race, he had to handicap himself, so he drew while he ran...

Bob Graham, 2012 Winner of 1st Annual Red Solo Cup Race

Bob Graham with Gestural Equine Drawing

When Bob finished the race, he had just a gestural outline of the horse drawn.

30 minutes later, he had produced the rest of it.  This guy is good...

As With Any Good Race,

Show Us The Money!

The Republic of Piccolo Spoleto

The Bookie

The Banker

The Rookie Hat of the Day

Carla Johnannesmeyer, first year exhibitor, sports a stunning Ginko Leaf  Hat

Leland Smith, daughter of Artist Caryn Smith, is ready for the Parade with her hat & sunflowers.

On the right, she models the Official Red Solo Cup Grand Marshall Hat, especially made and imported to Marion Square for today's Big Event (complete with Eeyore, Red Solo Cups and Roses).

High Society and Fashion Reign Signal Start of "The Season"

Yes, these folks came to see and be seen at the Parade and Race. Definitely the "place to be"!

"Tent-Gating at The Races"

Runners

 And The Hats - Oh, My!

BEADS, BOAS And BIG HAIR

 And Some Even Sold Art!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013 - Friday, June 7, 2013 - Day 15

Giant Dead Branch Attacks and Rips Artist's Tent Roof!

Daryl Knox and Dead Branch Assault Weapon

Most of the artists were fortunate as Tropical Storm Andrea rolled through the Lowcountry last night and early this morning.  However, Daryl Knox is seen above holding the dead branch that greeted him when he opened his tent this morning.  Absorbing rainwater, the branch became so heavy that it just broke off and ripped through the top of his tent.  When he opened his tent, there was the branch and a giant hole in his roof.  Fortunately his artwork came through unscathed!  He had taken a photo of the branch and the rip but had not emailed it to me by the time I published this, so I will post that picture tomorrow (or whenever I get it).

This past week, the artists in Marion Square have experienced torrential rains (followed by high humidity), heavy winds (today, several artists rescued a tent on the Calhoun Street side just as it was getting airborne), formosan termites, mud holes with squishy rivulets:

Nance Sneddon had to wear boots in her tent yesterday

In addition to the wind today, there was a fire in the trash can.  The Charleston City Fire Department arrived in record time (luckily, they are right down the street).  My trusted and confidential source (the same source who broke the incredible story of the formosan termites) was on the scene and texted me the fire video below. (I am grateful to have the assistance of such a conscientious news gatherer to help me keep up with the breaking news among the 86 artist tents in Marion Square.)

Fire Video - Trash Can at Marion Square

Demo Proceeds in Heavy Wind and Rain

Beginning of Watercolor Demonstration

I had come prepared, waiting to see if the weather would be clear enough for the demonstration.  While it is not smart to paint a watercolor in the wind and rain, the lady pictured above was wandering around looking for the 11:00 watercolor demonstration - she was from Texas, leaving tomorrow and wasn't sure she would make it back later today when the weather was better suited for the demonstration.  She'd been taking watercolor lessons, so I set up inside the tent and started it for her until she had to leave (her meter was running out).  I jumped around the painting so I could show her particular ways I used watercolor. You can't tell from a distance what the subject is yet, but it's a vase of Artist Sherry Browne's gardenias she brought from home last week.  I'll post it when it's complete.

Little Friends

Molly Hull with Granddaughter Rose

And a Squirrel finds an Apple!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013 - Thursday, June 6, 2013 - Day 14

Just To Whet Your Appetite!

In Anticipation of the Famed Red Solo Cup Race 

To Be Held in Marion Square on Saturday, June 8, 2013

2012 Front Row Society Attendees Wearing the Latest Hat Fashion

Get a Feel for the Race with this 2012 Video of "The Box Street Babes"

Yes, Readers, it's time again for the BIG race!  Join us Saturday at Marion Square for the 2nd Annual Red Solo Race (think Belmont Stakes).  Grab your fancy hat and come on down to the Meeting Street side of the Art Exhibition - here's the schedule:

3:30 P.M.  - PARADE LED BY THE 2013 GRAND MARSHALL

3:45 P.M. - KIDS' RUN 

4:00 P.M.  The BIG EVENT - 2ND ANNUAL RED SOLO CUP RACE 

There's nothing like this event to get you into the mood for the Piccolo Spoleto Finale at Hampton Park, so plan to be with us at 3:30. (COME EARLY. BUY ART.) After the race and the awards, head on down to Hampton Park!

More Honorable Mentions

 "Viennese Flower Market" by Nancy Davidson

 "Sale" by Vicki Gates

"Island Wrap" by Peggy Howe

As you know, the weather has been wet this week, but the artists have come out and sales have been made! However, tomorrow looks to be even wetter, and I'll have to see tomorrow morning whether the weather is conducive to a watercolor demonstration at 11:00 a.m....it doesn't look promising, but if the weather's clear, you'll find me there. In any event, Saturday looks great - and Sunday, too!  Hope to see you all there!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013 - Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - Day 13

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition Rain Headgear

These are not cafeteria workers. 

This is not an upscale hair salon with fine art adorning its walls.

These are Artists during a rainy day at Piccolo Spoleto in Marion Square.

After all, creativity in its basic form is simply problem-solving.

Yes, indeed, creativity runs rampant in Marion Square.

2013 Honorable Mention Awards

Below are 2 of 5 Honorable Mentions.  More to come tomorrow.

"Boys on the Bed" by Carole Carberry

"Cotton Blossoms" by Floyd Gordon

A Piccolo Spoleto Helper Grows Up

Will Bryan

Associate Director of Athletics Communications, College of Charleston

I had a special visitor this afternoon and really couldn't believe my eyes! Will Bryan, whom I have known since he was born and is a distant cousin, is back home in Charleston and has a great job at the College of Charleston.  Will was helping me put up my tent when he was 4 years old (Will's job was  to go after his daddy and hammer on the tent stakes that his father had tied the tent down with.)  Years later when he was home from college, he would meet me at the park and really do all the hard work.  Will, I am SO GLAD you're back, and I know you are looking as forward as I am to continuing our "family tent raising" tradition on the Wednesday before Memorial Day each year (see 5/22 post...)!