Florence Regional Arts Alliance Reveals Participating Artists in Small Works 2024 Competition

Florence Regional Arts Alliance Reveals Participating Artists in Small Works 2024 Competition

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has recently announced the roster of artists handpicked to take part in the much-anticipated Small Works 2024 exhibition. The showcase is set to kick off with a grand reception on August 13, at 5:30 PM at the Steven F. Gately Gallery situated on 142 North Dargan Street, in the heart of downtown Florence.

Now in its eighth year, the competition has received a total of 78 entries from 41 distinct artists, each hailing from different cities across the breadth of South and North Carolina. Only the finest works have been carefully selected for this year’s exhibition, with twenty-five pieces by 20 artists representing nine cities in the limelight.

Exhibit Pieces and Artists Selected

The competition is open to a broad array of artistic expressions, each no larger than 12” x 12” x 12”. All pieces will be up for sale, providing an affordable gateway for locals to compliment their current collection or kick start a new one. The unique size of these pieces also allows emerging artists to showcase their talents alongside established professionals.

Among the esteemed pieces juried into this year’s competition are:

• “A Symphony of Pomegranates” by Sue Brand, Hartsville, SC
• “Benavides” by Julie Mixon, Florence, SC
• “Flea Circus” by Amber Tyler-Elliott, Fayetteville, NC
• “Gitty” by Doug Mcabee, Laurens, SC
• “Pheasant” by Uschi Jeffcoat, Florence, SC
• “Twofold Flood” by Julie Mixon, Florence, SC
• “Wendy’s Daughter” by Katherine Rumminger, Liberty, SC

The Impact of the Show

The ultra-anticipated Small Works 2024, organized by FRAA and hosted at the Steven F. Gately Gallery, aids in the economic revitalization of the downtown area by putting the spotlight on its vibrant arts scene. The display will be accessible to the public until October 3rd, with gallery hours from Tuesday-Wednesday 12pm to 6pm, Thursday-Friday 10am to 6pm, and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10am to 3pm.

Judging and Awards

The coveted awards for the first, second, and third-place winners will be decided by renowned artist Mär Martinez, who expressed her admiration for the impressive scope of work submitted to the competition. Martinez will also be awarding a Juror’s Recognition, adding an extra layer of prestige to the competition. Prize amounts will tally to $600 for First Place, $350 for Second Place, and $250 for Third Place.

Highlighting the artistic trends and diversity of North and South Carolina, the Small Works 2024 competition will undoubtedly cement the importance of local art in the community’s cultural landscape. It is set to be a pinnacle event in the Florence arts calendar that aspiring artists and art enthusiasts alike should not miss.