The mission of the Artists’ Guild of
Spartanburg is to serve as a source for
creative visual arts in the community by promoting and encouraging knowledge of
the visual arts and of local artists. It shall continue to provide enrichment
and artistic education for its members as well as the community at large, and
thus encourage a deepening appreciation and love of art among the citizens of
Spartanburg and the
surrounding area.
The Artists’ Guild has been in
existence since 1957 and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1960.
The Guild was initially established to support local artists in their creative
endeavors, with members juried into the organization. In recent years it has
opened its membership doors to anyone high school age or older, artist or
individual who appreciates the visual arts, who resides in Spartanburg County
or an adjacent county.
The Guild provides opportunities
for its members to exhibit, promote and sell their art, by means of regular
shows at venues including the Guild Gallery of the
Arts
Center.
The Guild also presents
educational programs for its members and information on art opportunities
throughout the Southeast.
Within the community, the Guild
has outreach service venues, displaying member art, in commercial settings and
in the Spartanburg County Library System. About 100 works of art are typically
on display.
The Guild sponsors a Focus on
Youth show each year, spotlighting the art talent at local high schools.
Members volunteer their time on
the Guild’s behalf to educate and inform the public on the visual arts through
a variety of means, such as public and private schools, institutions of higher
learning, civic organizations, church groups, and other community groups.
The Guild and its members
actively participate, devoting hours, skills, and materials, in community arts
events such as Dickens of a Christmas, the Sidewalk Art Show, the Festival of
Trees, and Spring Fling.
