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Over the past ten years, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association (CFADA) has grown from just a handful of founding members to 13 member galleries that continue to help transform Charleston’s art market and to set standards of professionalism. This November, CFADA welcomes avid art collectors and nationally renowned artists to celebrate its 10th anniversary and continue the tradition at the Eleventh Charleston Fine Art Annual. As Charleston’s premier weekend dedicated to the visual arts, the Charleston Fine Art Annual features more than 25 leading artists, exhibiting at CFADA member galleries and painting in Washington Park. The event takes place on November 4, 6, 7, 2009. Proceeds will benefit Charleston County High Schools’ fine art programs.
Featured in Charleston Magazine, Art of the Times, AmericanStyle and Art & Antiques as the most important fine visual arts’ festival in Charleston, the Charleston Fine Art Annual gives visitors a unique opportunity to mingle with renowned artists in the most charming historic district on the east coast. During last year’s celebration of the visual arts, CFADA raised over $18,000 for high school art programs. CFADA started donating to schools in 2004, and has donated over $140,000 to art programs since then.
“This is the only organization in Charleston I know of that helps out the art programs in the schools. With the generous donations provided by CFADA, we are able to provide all students, especially those who may be disadvantaged, with high-quality materials for creating art. Students are truly benefiting from having a creative outlet through our art classes,” praises Cheryl Clair, art teacher at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC. According to the National Arts Education Initiative, arts education strengthens students problem solving and critical thinking skills, which will help them in school and their professional careers. Students involved in the arts perform better in reading, social studies and math compared to their peers.
The fine art weekend kicks off on Wednesday, November 4 with the first of a new three part lecture series on Women in Art, organized by the Gibbes Museum of Art. For ticket information on the lecture series, call the museum. The next event takes place on Friday, November 6 at 5:00 pm, featuring an art stroll and gallery openings at CFADA member galleries. Each gallery will present works by prominent local and visiting artists who travel to Charleston every year to participate in this prestigious event. This free event is open to public.
On Saturday morning, November 7 starting at 9:00 am, locals and visitors alike will once again mingle and watch artists at work as they donate their time and talent to creating masterpieces that will be later auctioned off at the Charleston Art Auction to benefit the Charleston County High Schools’ art programs. The ever-popular plein air event, Painting in the Park, takes place at Washington Park from 9:00 am till noon.
The Sixth Annual High School Art Competition, a platform for young talented artists to showcase their unique works, is part of the plein air event and will start at 11:00 am at Washington Park. The finest student works will be on display and judged by a panel of celebrity judges. The winners will be announced at 11:30 am.
Saturday evening will be dedicated to auctioning fine works of art, featuring historically significant paintings and drawings together with contemporary works by recognized American artists. The creations from Painting in the Park will be auctioned interspersed between other works. The Charleston Art Auction will start at 7:15 pm at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel, 68 Wentworth Street, downtown Charleston. Reservations are highly recommended as seating is limited. Ticket are $50.00 (contributed to the Charleston County High School Art Programs, this includes a fully illustrated sales catalogue) per person.
The Renaissance Charleston Hotel offers a special group rate for the weekend. Call 800-605-1498 and ask for the Charleston Art Auction group rate.
The Charleston Art Auction (charlestonartauction.com) was founded in 2006 by Morris & Whiteside Galleries located in Hilton Head Island and The Sylvan Gallery located in Charleston, South Carolina as the premier Southern art auction.
Founded in 1999, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association is the source of fine art in the South and consists of the city’s prominent galleries. The association promotes Charleston as a fine art destination for avid collectors and passionate art enthusiasts and supports the artists of the future. CFADA (cfada.com) has donated more than $140,000 to local high schools, the Gibbes Museum of Art, Redux Art Center and the Studio Art Department at the College of Charleston. For more information visit the website, for info about ticket reservations for the auction call 843-722-0128.
CFADA Member Galleries: Ann Long Fine Art · Carolina Galleries·Charleston Renaissance Gallery · Corrigan Gallery · John Carroll Doyle Art Gallery · Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art · Helena Fox Fine Art·Horton Hayes Fine Art · Martin Gallery · Robert Lange Studios · Smith-Killian Fine Art · The Sylvan Gallery · Wells Gallery
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