Daniel Island Art grand opening paints an impressive scene

If art is defined as something created with imagination and skill, that expresses important ideas or feelings, then the new Daniel Island Art gallery in the Publix Shopping Center may very well be a masterpiece.

Daniel Island Art, the first facility of its kind on the island, held a grand opening reception on Thursday, March 3, offering up an enticing visual smorgasbord for all to enjoy. The crowd of 200 plus attendees appeared mesmerized as they moved about the well-appointed space, soaking in the creative aura that permeated the gallery. On the walls, and in some cases hanging from the ceiling or resting on the floor, were prized selections from 20 artists, many of them Daniel Island residents. Others haled from James Island, Mount Pleasant, and Charleston, as well as from more faraway places like New York, Florida, and even Honduras.

They are painters, photographers, illustrators, woodworkers, graphic designers, and imaginative fabricators, as in the case of Daniel Island Art’s own multi-talented co-founder and co-curator Kris Manning, who specializes in all things fantastical and whimsical. Manning’s “Time Machine” display, a suitcase adorned with clocks, gadgets and other quizzical additions, served as quite the conversation piece among the evening’s guests. As stated in the Daniel Island Art mission, the gallery strives to offer works with a wide range of mediums, techniques, and subject matter. Clearly, the showcase displayed last week did not disappoint.

“I really love it,” said Bill Goff, a Daniel Island resident and photographer who attended the show. “This is super! They did a great job arranging it.”

“We are super excited!” added Manning, who describes the content in the gallery as ‘fine art undefined.’ “Clearly, there is a need in the community for artists and their work.”

“We waited four years to get a space,” said co-curator and part-time Daniel Island resident Alexis Phillips, also a featured artist in the gallery. “So we are very happy!…It’s about the art and the artists. We are just overwhelmed!”

“I think this is wonderful,” noted Dolores Kemp, as she made her way through the gallery to view the featured works. “I think Daniel Island should have a gallery! For those who live here to have a venue is just great…It’s a very welcome addition. I am so glad to be a part of it.”

Daniel Island resident Peter Estes is proud to have his work on display at the gallery. His paintings reflect what he calls “vibrant impressionism.”

“I just try to make it pop,” said Estes, of the inviting color expressed in his pieces. “I want to make people happy.”

Few were more delighted with the success of the grand opening than Manning, who gleefully made her way through the crowd clearly overjoyed by the turnout. Since Daniel Island Art opened a little over three weeks ago, 15 of the 20 artists displaying in the space have sold more than $5000 worth of art, reported Manning. Proof positive, she added, that the space is serving an important role.

“It needs to be a creative incubator for the community!” said Manning, who co-owns Black Tie Music Academy with Braeden Kershner, also a Daniel Island Art curator.

The non-profit offers a low rent to participating artists, and charges a 20 percent commission, well below what artists will find in similar places. All profits beyond the costs of the gallery go back into arts education and community projects. It is also a space that is not limited to visual artists. For this reason, explained Manning, it is called Daniel Island Art, and not Daniel Island Art Gallery.

“We’re trying to do an eclectic mix,” she said. “So there is something for everybody. Somebody loves a (paper mache) dragon, somebody loves a water color, and the guy who loves the water color probably does not love the dragon. So it’s really nice. There is an artist here tonight who never took his art out of his house. This is the first time he did and he’s had a tremendous experience.”

Daniel Island Art also plans to offer other programming, such as classes for writing, art, and dancing (they held their first salsa session last month). In addition, the Daniel Island Art Guild is now holding its monthly meetings here. Visitors also have an opportunity to talk with artists about their works.

“They get to meet the artists,” Manning added. “They can find out what was your inspiration to make this piece, what kind of medium do you like and why? They find out more about the ‘making of’ - and that’s when you fall in love with a certain artist and their style, because you hear how they do things and why they do them. It’s just the coolest thing!”

And it seems many of the patrons who came out to enjoy last week’s grand opening agree.

“We have a lot of talent on this island,” said attendee Laurie Steinke, a Daniel Island resident. “And we need to celebrate that!”

Daniel Island Art, located next to Honeycomb Cafe, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional information, please visit www.danielislandart.com.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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