Join us on February 17 as we #CelebrateSouthernArt

Here at Lake City ArtFields Collective, we exist to shine a light on artists across the Southeast, elevating their voice through art and awarding them the opportunity to expand their craft through competition. And in over half a century since Southern art was first recognized as a distinct genre in the 1960s, we’ve seen countless Southern artists make their mark on history.

However, we’ve also seen many Southern artists excluded from the national conversation. Richard Gruber, the former director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, commented on this phenomenon in an interview with The New York Times in 2003, stating: “Even though we’ve produced artists like Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, who are known all over the world, Southern art just hasn’t been a part of American art history.”

His statement was just as cutting then as it is today, 17 years later, as Southern art still remains widely underrepresented in American art institutions.

So, what can we do to change the narrative? How can we support Southern artists ourselves?

To start, we’re dedicating a day in February to #CelebrateSouthernArt—and we’re inviting you to celebrate, too. Starting on Monday, February 17, 2020, we want you to tell us how you acknowledge Southern artists by using the hashtag #CelebrateSouthernArt on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Tag @ArtFieldsSC so we can hear your stories and share your posts, allowing for more people to learn how they, too, can make sure that Southern artists start receiving the recognition they deserve.