BANNER YEAR FOR ARTISPHERE 2016
Greenville, SC, –July 25, 2016—Artisphere presented by TD Bank, consistently one of the top rated Fine Art Shows in the country, reported another record breaking year for its 12th annual festival with participating artists recording average sales of $8,272 (up from $7,300 in 2015) and an estimated record attendance of over nearly 100,000 (up from 84,609 in 2015). The economic impact of the festival reached an all-time high of $6,387,468.
Beautiful weather attracted lively crowds to Main Street for the three-day annual celebration of visual, performing, and culinary arts May 13-15. With 135 artists representing 17 different medium categories, patron’s set a new high in total art sales; an estimated $1,116,720, according to artist surveys.
First year Artisphere artist Kate Furman (Jewelry) stated, “As an emerging artist, it was an honor to participate in my hometown, nationally acclaimed art show. My first Artisphere was a weekend I will never forget and a highlight in my artistic career!”
In addition, Artisphere contributed a total of $20,000 to its Arts Partners for their volunteer assistance during the festival. Arts Partners for 2016 included Greenville Chinese Cultural Association, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Greenville Concert Band, Greenville Chorale, Greenville Light Opera Works, The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, Hispanic American Women’s Association, Palmetto Statesmen, Pride of Greenville Chorus, Greenville in Harmony and International Ballet. Artisphere has donated $210,000 in total to its Arts Partners since 2006.
“TD Bank is proud to support Artisphere as we believe in the importance of art and culture in the Greenville community as a direct benefit to individuals and local business,” said David Lominack, Market President for TD Bank. “We congratulate Artisphere on a banner year with record breaking attendance and artist sales.”
Programing enhancements such as the noon kickoff Giant Puppet Parade and new activities in Kidsphere, the Art Lab, and Clemson University’s STEAM Exhibit (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) were very well received by festivalgoers. Making the Connection sculpture installation by London artist Julian Wild in Falls Park was jam-packed with families enjoying the process of art making all weekend. The new addition of the Acoustic Café Stage brought patrons to the festival’s new expansion area on South Main Street for local and regional performers.
“It was a wonderful weekend for Artisphere patrons and artists,” stated Artisphere Board of Directors President, Marion Crawford. “We would like to thank our sponsors for their generosity, our volunteers for their hard work and our artists (visual, performing and culinary) for bringing their talent to the 2016 festival. The success of Artisphere continues to grow and speaks volumes about our community’s desire to support and experience the arts.”
Plans for the 2017 festival, scheduled for May 12-14, 2017 are already in progress and the festival is accepting visual artist applications on www.zapplication.org August 5 through October 13. For more information visit www.artisphere.org.
