Friday Night - It's the CAYs!

"Clara" by Doug McAbee Nothing pleases Jasper more than the opportunity to take notice of a local artist and be able to say, Congratulations – Well done! It’s even more exciting when there’s an award involved and it’s not just a certificate, but some ca-ching, as well! That’s why we’re looking forward to this Friday night, April 26th and the annual Contemporaries Artist of the Year celebration when, in addition to the grand prize of big bucks from the Contemporaries, Jasper will award our second annual State-of-the-Art Award (a certificate, a feature story in Jasper Magazine, and $200) to some talented local artist.

Last year's winner of the Jasper State-of-the-Art award was Doug McAbee for his sculpture Clara (above.) We profiled Doug in the most recent issue of Jasper Magazine.

Entries to the competition were adjudicated by a jury consisting of Dr. Will South, Tom Stanley, and Mary Walker. Our panel of judges is headed up once again this year by Chris Robinson, who, has taken the lead as Jasper's visual arts editor.

Awards include:

  • $2,500 Contemporaries' Artist of the Year (with partnership from Anne and Alex Postic)
  • $300 People's Choice Award
  • The Jasper "State-of-the-Art" award receives a $200 cash prize and a spread in a future issue of Jasper Magazine.

Please join us on Friday night for the CAY Celebration from 7 - 10 pm at the beautiful Columbia Museum of Art.

 

For more info check out the CAY Facebook page or go directly to the CAY website at the Columbia Museum of Art.

 

 

Big Fun for Great Causes in Columbia Last Night

Jasper had a great time last night at two wonderful events supporting the arts in Columbia. We started our evening at 5 pm by arriving at the Columbia Museum of Art to select the Jasper Magazine State of the Art award for the Contemporaries Artist of the Year event. Many thanks to Jeffrey Day and Chris Robinson for serving on the panel of judges. It was not an easy choice. But after much deliberation we chose Doug McBee's Clara, pictured below, for its sense of elegance and fun.

Other stand out pieces included Jacob Olsen's Beginning to Understand II, pictured below. We loved the execution of this piece but were disappointed in its presentation. Chris was helpful in pointing out that a solid white piece of this style and size should be presented in pristine condition. Unfortunately Jacob's piece was marred in a few places and showing a bit of wear.

Chris was also impressed by the technique exhibited in The Sleeper, by Margaret Rose Smith, pictured below.

And, having just gotten turned on to the work of local artist David West, I was very much taken by his piece Disconnect below.

We might also mention that at least one of us from Jasper happily took home the piece below by Michael Pope and we look forward to installing it in our new pub room at Muddy Ford where the living room used to be.

After closing down the CAY event at 10, we had the pleasure of heading over the The Hunter Gatherer's 2nd Annual Arts Commission Fundraiser, magnanimously organized by local musician and service industry pro Henry Thomas. The house was packed with  arts supporters and artists and there were some really fantastic auction items. (Jasper took home passes to Indie Grits, tickets to the SC Arts Gala, and two signed books by Pat Conroy.)

 

And a good time was had by all!

 

 

Contemporaries' Artist of the Year Call for Entries

It’s that time of year again! Last year’s Contemporaries’ Artist of the Year soirée and silent auction put over $10,000 in the pockets of South Carolina artists and this year the Young Contemporaries are raising the bar even higher!

This year they are increasing the Artist of the Year Award to $2,500, continuing the People’s Choice award of $300 and are adding the Jasper State-of-the-Art award for $200, plus a prize package and publication in a future issue of Jasper Magazine.

Along with the awards, a contemporary art friendly crowd will bid on 100 pieces of artwork and artists will retain 60% of the sale price. This event will be held Friday, April 13th at the Columbia Museum of Art.

Submissions will be accepted until February 29.To apply, please apply online at http://www.columbiacontemporaries.com/artistoftheyear/apply.aspx

If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Bryson at ContemporariesArtistoftheYear@gmail.com.