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"Fish
out of Water, Hooked on the Arts " |
| Anderson’s “Fish out of Water, Hooked on
the Arts” has little to do with bragging men talking about
lures, hot spots on the lake, and fish this big! I take that back...it
has everything to do with those things and a whole lot more, and
unlike most fish tales, it’s all true. There
are 32 artistic largemouth bass sculptures making a splash all
over Anderson. Lured by the other successful
public art projects
like the Chicago Cows, Cincinati Big Pig Gig and South
Carolina’s
own Aiken Horseplay, the Anderson County Arts Center
organizers decided to promote this public art project to
raise awareness
and funds for the Warehouse Capital Campaign. Other considerations,
like promoting our downtown, Lake Hartwell, the largemouth
bass and artists second-to-none factored into the decision
to go fishing!
A call for artists went out in February 2004,
and over 100 designs were submitted. A committee chose
from conceptual
ideas, and
the artists were commissioned to paint, tile, sculpt,
paper maché,
fabricate, and creatively transform
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Pictured
from left: Amy Kuhl Cox, Education Director,
Tanya McManus, Administrative Assistant; Daniel Austin,
Communications Director; Laura Browne, Financial
Director; and Kimberly Spears, Executive Director
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these
six-foot fiberglass fish and a 27-inch “trophy fish”.
The artists not only met the challenge; they exceeded our
wildest expectations. The fish are covered in auto paint, oil based
paint,
or no paint at all.
One fish Hooked on Trash Bass is covered in actual trash picked
up from Lake Hartwell. There are horseshoes, plastic flowers, lures,
hats...you name it. It is glued to that fish. It has a strong message
not to trash our lake and raises awareness about recycling too. Another
one, 20,000 Leagues under Lake Hartwell is covered in copper sheeting
and
has over 1,600 rivets.
After the fish were in the capable hands of our artists, the committee
went fishing for |
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“Fish out of Water” art exhibit by the Anderson
Artist Guild from June 11 until August 13, 2004, and Fish Guided
Tours on the first Friday of each month at 1:00 at the Arts Center.
As with any special event there are souvenirs available for purchase.
All proceeds from sales will support the Warehouse. Take advantage
of a wide array of fish fashions like commemorative T-Shirts, totes,
hats or a specially designed beach towel, and visit our website
for complete information at gofishanderson.org. Merchandise is available
to buy online, and the Arts Center will also have items for sale. |
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| 20,000
Leagues under Lake Hartwell - by Nathan
J. Cox |
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| sponsors
to support the expedition. Securing our “Big Fish” was
key to the overall success of this project. The o-fish-al “Big
Fish” title sponsor is the City of Anderson. It is a partnership
that combines many resources from the Arts Center and City and ultimately
complements downtown development and tourism. Next “Wallhanger” and “Reel
Supporter” sponsors got caught up in the excitement and individually
funded a fish. It was a rare opportunity to support public sculpture
and our capital campaign, while also having advertising opportunities
available. The “Wallhanger” level of sponsorship is $5,000
and includes keeping both fish. “Reel Supporters” sponsored
the fish for their public appearance for $3,000, and they will keep
the trophy fish. We added “Fund Keepers” for $1,000 and
the “Liar’s Club” for $500 to really have fun and
as a way to create levels of opportunity for everyone. The “o-fish-al” unveiling
party took place at Portman Marina on Thursday, June 10. The Galley
and Nami’s offered “Art A-fish-ionados” a special
preview of the fish creations for $30. Other special events
are planned for the six-month celebration, including the |
Part
of the success of any project is the partners you
bring to the table, or in this case, get in the boat.
We are
grateful for our artists, sponsors, board of directors,
campaign steering committee, and volunteers who have
really been “fin-tastic”. Okay, the other part
of any successful project is a good theme, and this one
is
great with so many fish puns that we are already
at “critical
bass”. It’s really addictive, try it! Enjoy “Fish
out of Water” and get “Hooked on the Arts”.
| Kimberly
Spears |
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Executive
Director
Anderson County Arts Center |
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The
Anderson County Arts Center
Founded
in 1972, the Anderson County Arts Center has guided,
challenged and cultivated the artistic resources
of the area for over 31 years. Our educational programs
have served more than 50,000 children through programs
such as Arts School, Summer Art Camp and Artists-in-Education,
sponsored by the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Our exhibitions and artist support programs have helped
attract new business,
while promoting sustainable growth and fostering
a sense of community pride.
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Currently, the Arts Center is housed in the old Carnegie Library
and is bursting at the seams. Due to the unprecedented
growth in Anderson County in the past decade, galleries,
classrooms and studios that were once adequate are now
stretched past
their
limitations.
In April 1999, the Anderson County Arts Center Board
of Directors voted to purchase an abandoned 33,000
square foot warehouse adjacent to the existing facility.
Built in the early 1900’s, it has six enormous
bays originally used as a distribution center for everything
from coffee to cotton.
The next step is to renovate the warehouse space to be
functional. It is currently not heated or cooled, and
there is no plumbing.
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The
Warehouse Project
The Arts Center and the Anderson County
community have embarked on a $3.5 million
capital campaign to renovate the Arts
Center Warehouse. When completed, the
space will feature a 17,200 square
foot multi-use facility that will be
home to an Upstate Artisan Center,
classrooms for children and adult studies,
a permanent collection gallery, and
a gallery to exhibit special rotating
collections.
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The
remaining 15,800 square feet will be dedicated to diversifying
the Arts Center’s efforts to support studios featuring
local working artists, a Downtown Visitor’s Center
and even retail space.
In addition to the more obvious educational and cultural
impacts, the arts are a cornerstone for economic development.
For every dollar spent on the arts, $20 is returned
in the form of increased local spending and tax revenues;
this money can be poured back into our schools and
civic projects, resulting in higher paying jobs and
a better quality of life. Your support is invaluable
as we continue to build upon our enriching arts opportunities
for children & adults alike.
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