To our Members

November 15, 2020

Dear Friend of the Arts,

2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least, and it’s not over yet. We are deeply grateful to the many individuals, businesses, and granting organizations who helped us make it through. If you have already sent a donation or membership, thank you! If not, please consider becoming a member, renewing your current membership, or increasing your level of giving.

In spite of the pandemic, we have continued hosting exhibits and planning for a future when we can all come together again for classes, concerts, and receptions.  When McClellanville Quilts and Their Stories had to shut down just two weeks into its run, we produced a virtual version of the exhibit which is still available on our website, and we published a booklet featuring all the quilts and stories as well as a 2020 calendar, both of which are available in our gift shop or by mail order.  This summer, we held small, socially-distanced classes for children and adults in pottery, collage, and graffiti. We also provided Kits for Kids, art supplies distributed to area students who were without access to art instruction during the shutdown. Aaron Baldwin pioneered the art of the virtual opening in June, including a visit to his studio to demonstrate how prints are made. Vennie Deas Moore and her photographs of McClellanville residents were the subject of our first Facebook Live presentation in September. And in October Nancy Marshall recorded an overview of her photographs of writer Flannery O’Connor’s Georgia farm, Andalusia. All three exhibits were also open in our gallery, with limited admission, an outdoor concert, and social distancing in place. 

Starting in November, Corona Journals will showcase the work of three local artists who were inspired by the pandemic to paint the beauties of the lowcountry landscape. In January, we will host the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street exhibit Water/Ways, with several related programs for children and adults. 

We have many exciting programs in the works for 2021, including classes and workshops, several two and three-person exhibits, and—assuming life is more-or-less back to normal by next spring—McClellanville Paint Pencil, Ink, a large community show featuring many local artists.     

Please help us continue encouraging and supporting the arts in the Sewee to Santee community. Just fill out the enclosed membership card and return it with your check, or pay your membership fee online at our website, www.mcclellanvilleartscouncil.com.

Sincerely,

Pam Hollings McConnell

President of the Board of Directors