Artisphere may have been “safe, small and socially-distanced” when it came back to downtown Greenville Mother’s Day weekend, but it proved a big boon to participating artists.
Presented by TD Bank, this year’s event saw 20,000 art patrons attend on South Main Street from May 7-9 to view and purchase work from more than 104 artists from 28 different states, with a record of $11,000 in average artist sales. The overall economic impact of this year’s event was more than $2 million, according to event organizers.
Artisphere Board President Allison Spinks said with COVID-19 precautionary measures, this year’s event offered a unique chance for patrons to spend more time one-on-one with the artists.
“Many enjoyed the COVID format as it offered a more intimate experience with the artists, who recorded record-high sales,” Spinks said.
The weather didn’t hurt sales, either. With mild spring temperatures and sunny skies, the event didn’t suffer from torrential rains seen in past years.
This year, Artisphere distributed 10 cash awards totaling $15,000 to artists across different mediums.
Winners include:
- Best in Show — Joseph Bradley (oil painting/acrylic, mixed media)
- First prize 2D art — Kym Day (oil painting/acrylic)
- Second Prize 2D art — Joe Engel (mixed media)
- First Prize 3D art — Dale Rogers (metal)
- Second Prize 3D art — Amber Marshal (glass)
Community Journals also partnered with the Metropolitan Arts Council to sponsor the “Artist of the Upstate” exhibit recognizing the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by those living in the Upstate.
Winners include:
- First prize — Connie Lippert
- Second Prize — Allison Anne Brown
- Third Prize — Brad Silk
- Award of Excellence — Justin Wagner
The 2022 Artisphere is scheduled for May 6-8.
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