Florence Co. Museum Hosts Inaugural Art Exhibition

An Evolution for Art in Eastern South Carolina

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C – The Eastern Carolina Contemporary Biennial is set to kick off its first exhibition at the Florence County Museum in 2025. Celebrated by art enthusiasts and the community alike, the aim of this prestigious event is to elevate the level of contemporary regional art exhibitions. This is achieved by offering a highly competitive, professionally juried competition showcasing the most outstanding art and artists from Eastern South Carolina.

“Over the past decade, our vision and influence have expanded. It’s only fitting that we reflect this positive growth with a renewed artist call, extending to painters, sculptors, and mixed-media creators from all across Eastern South Carolina”, shared the museum’s curator, Stephen W. Motte.

Legacy of the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition

The Florence County Museum has a rich historical connection with the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition, hosting it from 1954 to 2013 in the museum’s Water Gallery. “The Regional nurtured our deep ties with the local arts community, and we’re not quite ready to let that go”, affirmed Motte. “The Biennial serves to deepen that bond by boosting the quality, broadening the range and creating more exhibition opportunities for our local artists.”

The prize purse is also generous, with the winner walking away with a cash award of $2,500. This inaugural competition is proudly sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Florence, which was also a corporate sponsor for the Pee Dee Regional Art Competition.

Judging the Art

The first issue of the Biennial will be judiciously judged by Robin Aiken, Visual Arts Programs Director of Artisphere in Greenville, SC, and Mills Brown, an accomplished artist from Florence, now based in Oxford, England.

“Contemporary art offers a direct response to our rapidly changing world, creating an intimate moment for viewers to pause and reflect on their lives through the eyes of the artist. For the creators, art competitions serve as significant milestones, acting as communal touchpoints where we celebrate and connect”, opined juror Yu-Kai Lin, Director of Kai-Lin Art in Atlanta, GA.

Calling All Artists

Online submissions will be open from July 12 to September 27, with artists encouraged to send their entries via the museum’s website. The Florence County Museum and the Biennial panel of judges eagerly anticipate the breadth and depth of talent that will undoubtedly be showcased in this inaugural event.