Artfields is officially back! During ArtFields, the town of Lake City, once one of South Carolina's most prosperous agricultural communities, becomes a living art gallery as we recognize, celebrate, and share the artistic talent of the Southeast.
ArtFields started in 2013 with a simple goal: honor the artists of the Southeast with a week's worth of celebration and competition in the heart of a traditional Southern small town. The competition and exhibition offer over $145,000 in cash prizes. The votes of people visiting ArtFields determine the winners of two People's Choice Awards; a panel of art professionals selects all the other awards, including the $50,000 Grand Prize and $25,000 Second Place award.
With Carolina Trust having a branch in the heart of Lake City, I'd been through the town several times before, but after attending Artfields a few years ago it's become a can't-miss annual event for Adam and I. Saying that Lake City completely transforms for Artfields would be an understatement. The amount of fine arts culture and community closeness that Artfields creates left such a lasting impact that this event will find a spot on my calendar year after year.
If you're planning to attend Artfields this year, here are all the things you need to know:
Artfields 2024 officially kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 26th, and will run through May 4th. Most of the art and Artfields events will occur in the heart of downtown Lake City. Click here for an events calendar overview of the 2024 Artfields events.
Three art galleries call Lake City home. TRAX Visual Art Center and Jones-Carter Gallery feature rotating shows throughout the year, while Crossroads Gallery displays past winners from ArtFields. All three galleries have FREE ADMISSION during Artfields and are open 11AM-5PM Tuesday - Saturday while shows are hanging.
Not only is Artfields an impressive public display of art, but it's also an art competition. Every year, hundreds of artists submit their work to be judged by professionals and the public. Click here to see all the artwork entered in Artfields 2023. If you find a piece of art that speaks to you, click on the image, and it will give you additional details about the work, the price to buy the piece, and exactly where it's located downtown so that you can see it in person. Additionally, if you'd like to participate in the people's choice judging, click here and visit the voter registration section in the right hand corner.
Artfields isn't the only time Lake City comes alive with artistry; the public art that adorns the city walls gives you a feel for the artsy town year-round. Check out my Lake City Mural Guide blog post for an overview of all the places you can see public art in Lake City year-round.