The South Carolina State Museum has received an award from the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) for a recent art exhibit mounted by the museum.
The SEMC Exhibition Competition awarded the State Museum the 2012 Certificate of Excellence for the exhibit Abstract Art in South Carolina 1949-2012. The exhibit featured a retrospective of abstract art in the Palmetto State over the last half-century, essentially from its introduction to South Carolina.
“This significant award is only given to one museum within our budget category” said Curator of Art Paul Matheny, who put the exhibit together.
Matheny accepted the award at the SEMC conference in Williamsburg, Va..
“It was an honor for the museum to be selected for this award, and important for the 44 artists included in the exhibition as well,” said the curator. “Although the exhibition closed in October, Abstract Art in South Carolina continues to be a significant and influential project.”
Since the museum began its expansion project, the Lipscomb Art Gallery, where this exhibition was housed, has been closed because of construction. However, artwork from the museum’s collection can be seen throughout the museum, as well as on the museum grounds.
The museum will host a celebration of South Carolina art March 2 on the fourth floor. Its next art exhibit, Between the Springmaid Sheets, an exhibition organized by Winthrop University Galleries, opens April 26.
