South Carolina Tramp Brigade Living History Group Camps at Fort Moultrie

Living historians from the SC Tramp Brigade were among several groups of historical interpreters participating in events at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island today.
The groups are portraying life at the Fort during the period from 1809-1860 ( mainly 1859) when the US Army Regulars were stationed at Fort Moultrie prior to the War Between the States.

The historians are conducting artillery drills, demonstrating firing muskets, and portraying the daily life of 19th century soldiers and their families. Demonstrations and camp activities will continue tomorrow from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

I had the pleasure of visiting with visiting living historians Marvin Greer (from Ga.) and Joe Blunt (from Fla.) as they relaxed in their camp after today's activities.

I also met Tina Temm from Alabama as she passed out ginger snaps after supper in camp. Tina and the other member's historically accurate clothes and camp life style create a window into the early 19th century life at Fort Moultrie that is both entertaining and educational.

For my drawing of a soldier relaxing in camp after supper, I used charcoal to recreate the look of a 19th century "field sketch". In the 1800's, it was common for newspapers to hire artists to travel to locations and create drawings to be used for illustrations.

"At Ease - Reclining Soldier"

Charcoal and Conte drawing
Drawing dimensions: 11" x 13"
Framed dimensions: 17" x 21"
Price: $175.00

Hanging Artwork for the 2009 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition

Artwork was delivered and hung for the 25th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition at the Charleston Visitor Center today.

I was on hand along with other members of the Charleston Artist Guild to receive and hang the 100 artworks selected by jurors Dr. Leo Twiggs (Painting/2D artwork) and Stacy Pearsall (Photography) from over 394 show entries. I feel fortunate to be one of two artists to have work accepted into both the Painting and Photography categories this year.

The Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition is sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and coordinated by the Charleston Artist Guild.
The Exhibition is free and open to the public between the hours of 8:30 to 5:00 during the run of Piccolo Spoleto and Spoleto Festival USA, May 22 through June 5 at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St. Charleston, SC.

Empty Nest or Full - Happy Mothers Day !

Snowy White egrets are nesting in the Lowcountry this time of year. This cypress tree looked like a modern apartment building with several egret nests tucked into the branches above the alligator filled water.

Whether you're in a nest full of chicks or enjoying a well earned rest in an empty nest, "Happy Mothers Day" to the most creative people in the world - Mothers.

McClellanville Arts Center Youth Art Exhibition 2009

It was an evening to celebrate the talents of young people in McClellanville, SC at the McClellanville Arts Center on Pinckney St. tonight. Susan Williams past president, McClellanville Arts Council was on hand to greet guests including Bud Hill, director of The Village Museum to the reception and awards ceremony for "Coming of Age: McClellanville Youth Art Exhibit in Memory of Alice Wyndham".

Visual arts, creative writing and musical performance were featured from the area schools of Archibald Rutledge Academy, Lincoln High School, McClellanville Middle School and St. James -Santee Elem. School.
The evenings activities included performances by guitarist Vincent White, vocalist Anna Dupre, and poetry readings by local youths including Amber Dewitt (pictured).






The Awards Ceremony began with a tribute by Bernadette Humphries, McClellanville Art Center Director to Alice Wyndham (pictured in portrait) who proposed a Young Peoples Exhibition prior to her death. The 2009 McClellanville Youth Art Exhibition is dedicated to her service and devotion to the Arts.

Guests had been given ballots and asked to vote for their favorite artwork from each school. The winners of the Peoples Choice Awards are: Gerald Welch- Archibald Rutledge Academy, Ronald Walker-Lincoln High School, Mia Mitchell - McClellanville Middle School, and Olivia McBride -St. James Santee Elem. School. Jeanne Edwards Awards for Excellence in the Arts were presented to Travis Blake, Summer Cumbee,and Vincent White. Lauren Oree was awarded a special "Award of Merit" for her poem "Alone".
The evening concluded with well deserved recognition for the efforts of teachers and representatives from the schools in supporting the creative talents of their students. Pictured are: Lynn Vickery -Archibald Rutledge Academy, Annie Purvis - Lincoln High School, Ramona LaRoche - St. James Santee Elem., Humphries, and J.B. Ritchie - McClellanville Middle School.