OPEN Invites Everyone for a Sneak Peak of this year's Fall Art Season, September 11

On September 11, 2010, the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts kicks off Charleston’s fall season with "OPEN," a multi-disciplinary arts event open to the public, featuring an abundance of artistic and cultural offerings in the tri-county area with the greater goal of breaking down the barriers to participation in the arts. It is an opportunity to awaken the senses of attendees to the wonderment of the arts with a personal guided tour by local arts organizations. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Memminger Auditorium in downtown Charleston, SC.

The Alliance introduces the first ever annual preview of the arts where local arts organizations and collectives will be given the opportunity to captivate, intrigue and cultivate new audiences as well as existing arts patrons. Attendees of this arts expo can expect a cultural marketplace of interactive arts booths where they can buy tickets, memberships and merchandise as well as get information by talking with arts organizations about their mission, programming and events.

In addition, there will be performance stages, multi-media presentations and a family fun arts corner where spectators will get to “taste” a sampling of Charleston's arts. An open-air courtyard of vendors and street performers will add to the arts extravaganza which includes an art installation of Jarod Charzewski, debuting on Friday, September 10th in an invite-only Patron Preview cocktail party. With this year's theme, Camelot and the Round Table, all participating arts groups will unite under one roof with the common purpose of showcasing the vitality of the arts in our tri-county area. Sighting of knights, heralding trumpeters, hanging Renaissance flags and a round table is expected.

Participating arts organizations include City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Charleston Concert Association, Charleston Stage, Creative Spark Center for the Arts, Taylor Music Group, Chamber Music Charleston, Redux Contemporary Art Center, PURE Theatre, American College of the Building Arts, Gibbes Museum, Flowertown Players, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, League of Charleston Theatres, Yo Art Inc., Moranz Entertainment, Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association, Charleston Ballet Theatre, City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, Jazz Artists of Charleston, Charleston Documentary Film Festival, South of Broadway Theatre Company, Deuce Theatre, Capoeira Charleston and Carolina Storytellers Network.

“I invite every member of our community to open the door to experience the magic of the arts at our event,” says Jessica Solomon Bluestein, executive director of the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts.

“Art should never feel exclusive but rather shine a spotlight where all can feel brilliant in a new universe of expression. Everyone is welcome to our event and all will be invited to discover the secrets of producing a show, singing a song, writing prose, creating a dance, painting a canvas, acting a scene and much more,” continues Bluestein.

In addition to performances, the Alliance will introduce “A Ticket to the Arts” coupon book, enticing new audiences to experience the arts. The Alliance in partnership with its sponsors is also providing the arts organization with the opportunity: to market their organizations in a new way at “OPEN” with interactive art booths; showcase themselves through performances, presentations, and/or youth arts activities; personally network with donors at the “OPEN” Patron Preview party at no cost to them; learn valuable participation and design techniques in a pre-event marketing training; and entice new audiences to experience the arts with discounts and added value coupons in the saver booklet.

The event is sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Knology, PDA, William Aiken Rhett House, Call Experts, Clear Channel, Social Restaurant and Wine Bar and the American College of the Building Arts. For more information about the event, contact Jessica Solomon Bluestein at 843-724-6440 or by email at Jessica@ArtsCharleston.org. The event is free to public. The Memminger Auditorium is located at 56 Beaufain Street in downtown Charleston, SC. For more information, please visit www.artscharleston.org.

The Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts is dedicated to the shared realization of a dynamic and thriving arts community by serving arts organizations in the region of Charleston, SC with resources and best business practices. Acting as a catalyst and facilitator for Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts envisions an engaged community that is fully expressive, creative and inspired by the arts.