Through September 3rd: FRAA accepting Quarterly Grant Applications

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is currently accepting quarterly grant applications from artists, organizations, schools, and teachers for arts projects scheduled to begin January through March 2014. Applications are due on or before 5pm on September 3rd.

Applications can be obtained by contacting the Florence Regional Arts Alliance at peedeearts@gmail.com. Applicants may request up to $2,500. Because application materials change from time to time, it is recommended that previous applicants request copies of the current materials.

All individuals applying for funding must reside in Florence County. All organizations must be based in Florence County.

Examples of funded project include: performances and readings, workshops, services to artists and arts-presenting organizations, exhibitions, artistic and managerial development and public festivals and events.  If mailed, applications must be postmarked on or before September 3rd.

FRAA will not fund the following: deficits for completed or ongoing projects, tuition for academic study, contingency funds, the purchase of long-term rental equipment, capital improvements, interest on loans, fines, or litigation.

FRAA's Grants Program is partially funded by South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from a generous contribution by the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Additional funding is provided by Honda of South Carolina. Since FRAA's Grants Program's inception in 1987, over $250,000 in financial support to individual artists, organizations, teachers, and schools has been awarded.

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County. Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts.

FRAA announces its 2013 Arts Awards Recipients

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently announced its 2013 Arts Awards recipients. Among the winners were two local arts leaders, one arts organization and a global corporation. “We’re very fortunate in Florence County to have more worthy candidates than awards to give away,” said Quincy Kennedy, President of FRAA. “We feel like our Board did a great job in narrowing down the nominations we received from the community; it’s not an easy task though,” Kennedy remarked.

Jane Madden, the engine behind the Art Trail Gallery’s quick and continued success, received the John W. Baker Distinguished Service Award. Madden’s efforts over the last five years have been a major factor in the “people side” of Florence’s downtown revitalization. “As improvements are continuously being made downtown, Jane is one of the main people promoting events and encouraging folks to visit our revitalized downtown,” said Kennedy.

The Florence Little Theatre received the Outstanding Arts Organization Award from FRAA. “Most people are aware of the great shows FLT produces. Not everyone is aware of the outstanding programming they put on for young people and for lifelong learners through their Senior Readers Group. The impact FLT has on Florence County is truly amazing,” said Bruce Douglas, Executive Director of FRAA.

The Business & Arts Partnership Award recipient for 2013 is Honda of South Carolina. Honda, which operates out of Timmonsville, supports several community-based programs, projects and events, both arts and non-arts-related. “Honda’s continuous support of the arts, and the Arts Alliance, is why they are receiving this award,” said Kennedy. Honda partners with FRAA to present the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to Florence County’s public high schools. Honda also funds FRAA’s quarterly grants program, which disburses money to organizations, artists and teachers throughout Florence County.

The inaugural Frank Crow Service Award winner is Bill Kress. Kress, a long-time Florence Regional Arts Alliance board member, staff member and volunteer, worked with Frank Crow and was honored to receive the award. “This award means alot to me because it has Frank’s name on it,” said Kress. Crow served as FRAA’s director from 2003-2012 before medical issues forced him into retirement. The Crow Award will be presented annually to an FRAA board member, staff member or volunteer who has had a tremendous impact on the organization.


In 2014, FRAA will add a fifth award to its lineup. The Greg Fry Arts Educator of the Year Award will be presented in May of next year. More information about the award will be announced soon.

To honor the winners, FRAA produced a series of videos. Visit floscarts.org or http://vimeo.com/channels/peedeearts to view the videos.

For more information about these awards or any other Florence Regional Arts Alliance program, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.

14 Florence County Students honored by FRAA & Honda

Each year since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduating seniors from all over Florence County.  This tradition continued recently with awards being handed out at Lake City High School, West Florence High School, South Florence High School and Hannah-Pamplico High School. 

In all, 14 students received honors in visual art, chours, dance, drama, orchestra and band. The honorees were:

Visual Art

Amanda McDaniel, Lake City

Taylor Crisp, Hannah-Pamplico

Natalie Ard, South Florence

Taylor Eliesee Thompson, West Florence

Chorus

Tyler Evans, Lake City

Amber Purvis, Hannah-Pamplico

Katie Meixsell, West Florence

Dance

Joye Altman, Lake City

Clenishia Woods, South Florence

Orchestra

Kiana Creese, West Florence

Band

Kristin Bowman, Lake City

Alena Isgett, South Florence

Alex Pettigrew, West Florence

Drama

Colton Gregg, South Florence

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high school in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards.  Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts activities.  

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annually to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education. 

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards or any other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Four South Florence High School Students Receive Awards from FRAA

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently recognized four outstanding graduating seniors at South Florence High School. Each year since 1997, FRAA has awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Awards to graduates from all over Florence County. This tradition was continued on May 9th as Alena Isgett, Clenishia Woods, Colton Gregg and Natalie Ardwere honored from SFHS.

Alena Isgett was honored for outstanding achievement in band. Clenishia Woods was presented with the award for being the top graduating senior in SFHS’s dance program. Colton Gregg received an Excellence in Arts Education Award for his talent in drama. Natalie Ard was recognized for being the top graduating senior in visual arts. Michele Pridgen, a Board Member for the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and Assistant Manager of Administration at Honda of SC, presented the awards in front of a packed auditorium at South Florence.

Graduating seniors from each of the seven public high schools in Florence County are eligible for the Excellence in Arts Education Awards. Nominations are made by arts teachers and are based on academic achievement and performance, as well as involvement in school and community-based arts activities and performances.

The Honda of South Carolina Excellence In Arts Education Awards are part of a broader FRAA Student Recognition Program that includes the Betty Ann Darby Scholarships, two merit awards presented annually to Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees with majors in an arts discipline or in arts education.

For more information about the Excellence in Arts Education Awards, Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program or other Florence Regional Arts Alliance initiatives, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.

June 1st: Quarterly Grant Application Deadline for FRAA

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is currently accepting quarterly grant applications from artists, organizations, schools, and teachers for arts projects scheduled to begin October through December 2013.  Applications are due on or before 5pm on June 1st.  Applications sent by mail must be postmarked on or before June 1st.  

Applications can be obtained by contacting the Florence Regional Arts Alliance at peedeearts@gmail.com. Applicants may request up to $2,500.  Because application materials change from time to time, it is recommended that previous applicants request copies of the current materials.

All individuals applying for funding must reside in Florence County.  All organizations must be based in Florence County.  

Examples of funded project include: performances and readings, workshops, services to artists and arts-presenting organizations, exhibitions, artistic and managerial development and public festivals and events.

FRAA will not fund the following: deficits for completed or ongoing projects, tuition for academic study, contingency funds, the purchase of long-term rental equipment, capital improvements, interest on loans, fines, or litigation. 

FRAA's Grants Program is partially funded by South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from a generous contribution by the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.  Additional funding is provided by Honda of South Carolina.  Since FRAA's Grants Program's inception in 1987, over $250,000 in financial support to individual artists, organizations, teachers, and schools has been awarded. 

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts. 

May 10th: Darby Scholarship Application Deadline for 2013

Since 1997, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance has awarded 27 Florence County students with the prestigious Betty Ann Darby Scholarship.  Now through May 10th, the Arts Alliance is accepting applications for 2013 Darby Scholarships.  

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program is named in honor of one of South Carolina's most distinguished music educators.  A member of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Darby served Florence Public School District One for thirty-nine years as a much beloved and highly revered music administrator and music teacher.  Since her retirement in 1987, Ms. Darby has embraced a broad array of volunteer activities in the arts community.

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarship Program awards two $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees in an arts discipline or in arts education.  To be considered, seniors must reside in Florence County or be graduating from a Florence County public or private high school.  

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are merit scholarships awarded predominantly on the basis of demonstrated talent, passion for the arts and intention to pursue a career in an arts discipline or in arts education.  All application materials must be received by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance via the applicant’s high school guidance counselor or other administrative official on or before May 10, 2013.  If mailed, applications must be postmarked by May 10th.

A completed Darby Scholarship Program Application consists of the application, essay, transcript, three recommendation letters and support materials.

To receive an application, email Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.  

Benton Henry to have photography exhibit in Lake City

From March 22^nd to April 12^th, the  Greater Lake City Artists' Guild and the Florence Regional Arts Alliance will partner to present The Great Harvest: Images of Tobacco Culture & Other Works by Benton Henry at the ArtFields Gallery in downtown Lake City. This dynamic exhibit, featuring local tobacco imagery and other fascinating photographs by Dillon County’s Benton Henry, will open with a reception on March 22^nd from 5:30 - 7:30pm.  Rusty and Suzanne Henderson, also known as Piano Road, will perform at the opening.  There is no admission fee to the opening and everyone is invited to attend.

In addition to Henry’s fine art photography, signed copies of The Great Harvest: Remembering Tobacco Culture in the Pee Dee will be for sale.  The Great Harvest (book) features Henry’s photographs and the writing of Dr. Eldred “Wink” Prince of Coastal Carolina University.  The price of the book is $25. 

Benton Henry’s fine art photography has appeared in over 400 magazines and books and the Latta-native has won numerous awards, including from the Gibbes Museum of Art, the University of Missouri, Professional Photographers of America and South Carolina Wildlife Magazine.  Henry also travels throughout the Southeast as a commercial/industrial photographer.  

The Great Harvest is Benton’s second exhibit featuring tobacco imagery.  In 2009, Henry partnered with Bruce Douglas and Prince to produce Tobacco Barns of the Pee Dee, a traveling photography exhibit featuring iconic barn images from across eastern South Carolina. 

Providing musical entertainment at the opening will be Darlington’s Rusty and Suzanne Henderson.  Rusty has performed at numerous Songwriter's Circles in the Pee Dee, as well as the Equinox Festival in Conway and Songwriters in the Round at Pawleys Island. His ballads placed him as one of the finalists in the inaugural Artsville Songwriters Competition this past Fall. As Piano Road, Rusty and daughter, Suzanne, perform music from a mix of Americana, folk, country, blues genre.  Suzanne has been involved with the Young Singers of Darlington, performed as a soloist at the Florence Civic Center and is an active member of the Florence Little Theatre.

The exhibit will remain on display through April 12^th. The ArtFields Gallery's normal operating hours are 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The gallery is located at 110 East Main Street in downtown Lake City.

For more information about the exhibit or the Greater Lake City Artists' Guild, contact Sandy Cook at greaterlakecityartistsguild@gmail.com. For more information about the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, contact Bruce Douglas at peedeearts@gmail.com.

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts.