Plein Air Charcoal Drawing at the Irvin House Vineyard Festival 2009

It was a beautiful day under the majestic oaks of the Irvin House Vinyard for the annual "Blessing of the Vines" Festival.

The Reverend Gregg Snyder from St. Johns Episcopal Church led a progressive blessing of the winery buildings, the grape vines, the Irvin family and gathered guests.
It was a spirited event with participants following Father Snyder around the vineyard adding rousing acclamations to each of the blessings.
After the blessing ceremony, all returned to picnic under the trees, enjoying the beautiful weather, live music, food, wine and craftsman displays.

A "plein air" (drawn on location) charcoal and pastel drawing of the Irvin House "Blessing of the Vines" Festival 2009.

Plein Air Paint Out at Charleston Vineyard 11.14.09

Grab your paint brushes, drawing materials, or camera and head out to Charleston's only domestic winery the Irvine - House Winery and Vineyard this Sat (11.14.09) to join local artists who will be attending at the 7th annual Blessing of the Vines Festival. In addition to providing a great opportunity to paint en plein air "in the fresh air", the festival will include blessing of the vines, live music, wine, and a BBQ cook off.

Here's a link to the Irvin - House Vineyard website for directions and more information about the day's activities.
PS: The paint out is not a sponsored activity of the festival, just a great opportunity for artists to do what we love to do - Paint Out! Check this link to the Charleston Outdoor Painters (COPA) site for more information.

A Visit to the Coastal Carolina Fair Youth Art Show 2009

It's Fall and time for the 53ed Annual Coastal Carolina Fair!

For information about the 2009 Coastal Carolina Fair including a map, scheduled events and entertainment visit http://www.coastalcarolinafair.org.

My family and I always enjoy the fair food, entertainment, and exhibits. This year the evening fireworks display over the lake was spectacular!

One of the most popular exhibits at the fair is the Youth Art Show which displays artwork in a wide range of styles by students 6 to 18yrs old from Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties.


The fair presents numerous ribbons and awards which are highly prized by their young recipients. For the past 14 yrs. my husband and I have had the pleasure of sponsoring an award at this Youth Art Show "to recognize outstanding talent as well as to encourage the further growth and development of promising young artists".

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 SCHNEIDER ART AWARDS:
Haley Ewers: Cane Bay High School,
Ellori McPherson: Wando High School,
Gabriello Wolfe: School of the Arts.

If you're going to the Coastal Carolina Fair this year be sure to go by and see all the exciting, creative artwork at this year's 2009 Youth Art Show in the Fine Arts Building.