Calling all photographers in the Pee Dee

The Art Trail Gallery announces a contest and an exhibit of photography from photographers who live throughout the Pee Dee region. Amateurs through to professionals are welcome to exhibit. The photography exhibition will run from March 31st until April 25th, 2009, 11:30 until 2:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

There will be two parts to this exhibit. Participants can choose to enter one or the other or both. The first is a photographic contest. The subject is Florence Veterans Park. The photo judged to be the best will be turned into a postcard to promote Florence and the Florence Veterans Park. The second piece is an exhibit of framed photographic works. There is no entry fee for either.

Individuals may enter up to 12 framed works for the exhibit. Awards will be offered in the following categories, among others: People’s Choice, Best of Show, Best Portrait, Best Landscape, Best Nature, Best Floral, Best Abstract, Best Still Life. Exhibit set-up will be March 24 to 26 - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 28 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take down is Saturday, April 25 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Applications are available at the Art Trail Gallery, 135 South Dargan Street, Florence or by contacting Jane Madden, 843-673-0729, janemadden@bellsouth.net or Roger Malfatti, Chair, Photography Exhibit Committee at rmalfatti@sc.rr.com. The gallery is asking photographers to complete their applications as soon as possible so that it may estimate space requirements.

Also, please contact Jane Madden if you are willing to offer short demonstrations and lessons on photographic skills that you are willing to share during the exhibit.

In the meantime, the Art Trail Gallery is entering into the last three weeks of its Celebration of Quilting exhibit. This is your last chance to view over 200 beautifully quilted items ranging from imaginative kimonos by well-known fiber artist, Roberta Olmstead, the amazingly detailed items of the Swamp Fox Quilters Guild featuring works by quilters such as Peggy O’Quinn, Ramona Eggleston, Judy Voss, June Jenkins, Lorene Arnette, and Courtney Stukes. As well, there are a variety of works from community members including those by the prolific quilter, Mary Ellen Sprawls.

Vera Martin continues the free quilting lessons for the public every Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. She is still welcoming beginners who may have missed the first couple of lessons and is willing to help them catch-up. Every Monday, Beth Twedell of Sew Unique here in Florence, and her team of talented needle workers will show you how to embellish your quilts. A wide-range of classes are available at Sew Unique and information is available through Beth or at the Art Trail Gallery.

A Celebration of Quilting is your answer to how to make use of that time when you’re glued to the television. Come out and see what your fellow community members can do with a needle and thread. Learn what you could be doing, too! There are hundreds of ideas on display that will motivate you to use the time in front of the television to both relax and produce something useful and beautiful at the same time. Quilting is one of the oldest ways to reuse and recycle. It takes what might be “nothing” and makes it into a prized possession. Quilting was a critical skill for families the last time this country faced even tougher economic conditions. Discover a perfect craft and art form for today. Every stitch embodies a “can do” attitude. And you can do it, too!

Remember that the Florence Downtown Development Corporation Art Trail Gallery is free to the public.