ArtFields

ArtFields
GenreArts organization and festival
FrequencyAnnual festival with year-round programs
LocationLake City, South Carolina
Prize money
Over $100,000
Websiteartfieldssc.org

ArtFields is an American organization that hosts the arts festival of the same name in Lake City, South Carolina. ArtFields is the largest art competition in the southeastern United States. The organization also hosts year-round exhibitions and a public art program.

History

ArtFields competition and festival was founded by investor Darla Moore in her hometown of Lake City, South Carolina. She cofounded the festival with a group of women from Lake City, including Carla Angus, the festival's program director. Historically, Lake City was an important producer of tobacco, green bean and strawberry crops. The town's economy suffered from the decline of the tobacco market, and because it was bypassed when the interstate highways were built.

The inaugural festival was held in 2013, and ran for 10-days. It had approximately 10,000 attendees, and generated an estimated $5 million of tourism, employment, and construction. It became a 17-day festival that occurs every April.

The organization supports arts initiatives and exhibitions year-round.

After the organization's founding, the number of public art installations, hotels and restaurants in Lake City increased. New art studios and galleries were also founded in the town, and artists began to relocate there. The Jones-Carter Gallery opened in 2013 in a renovated feed-and-seed store, and the TRAX Visual Art Center opened in 2018. In 2024, ArtFields opened Acline Studios which includes eight individual artist studios and hosts exhibitions.

The festival has caused increased foot traffic for institutions in Lake City like the Ronald E. McNair Life History Center.

Competition

The competition offers over $100,000 in cash prizes, including a $50,000 grand prize and several juried or people's choice awards. The festival exhibits works by contemporary artists in the Southeastern United States; competitors must reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia. During the festival, art from the competition is exhibited in local venues like restaurants, barbershops, and warehouses.

Winning artworks from the competition are kept in a permanent collection. The collection has been exhibited at museums like the 701 Center for Contemporary Art in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2025, the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina exhibited previous winners of Grand Prize, Second Place and People’s Choice awards.

The festival also includes programs like workshops, food, concerts, games, and book signings.

The ArtFields Jr. program hosts art classes, workshops, and a competition for students in Grade 1 through Grade 12.

References

  1. ↑ "The Southern Art City You've Probably Never Heard Of—But Should Visit ASAP". Southern Living. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  2. ↑ Cooper, Alexis (2025-04-24). "Largest art contest in southeast brings business boom to Lake City". WPDE. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  3. ↑ "The Southern Art City You've Probably Never Heard Of—But Should Visit ASAP". Southern Living. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  4. ↑ Burns, Roberta. "Lake City, South Carolina". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  5. ↑ blueion (2012-06-06). "An Engaging Community Engagement Celebration!". ArtFields. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  6. ↑ Poland, Tom (2019). Last Sunday Drive, The: Vanishing Traditions in Georgia and the Carolinas. Arcadia Publishing. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-4671-4310-3.
  7. ↑ Wilkinson, Jeff (2025-04-01). "SC's tiny Lake City blooms with ArtFields festival". South Carolina Living. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  8. 1 2 "Feature: Jamie". Grand Strand Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  9. ↑ "Artfields 23 - Can I Handle This?". Creative Pinellas. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  10. 1 2 Ramsey, Abby Ann (2025-04-28). "Come for the paintings, stay for the food. Here's how an art festival revived a rural SC town". Post and Courier. Archived from the original on 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  11. ↑ Brown, Tonya (2016-04-22). "ArtFields kicks off in Lake City". WPDE. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  12. 1 2 ArtFields (2024-09-17). "ArtFields Offers Over $100,000 in Prizes to Southeastern US Artists". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  13. ↑ reports, From staff (2020-08-16). "Two art exhibits to open Friday in Lake City". SCNow. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  14. 1 2 Hogan, Maura (2023-04-21). "ArtFields transforms Lake City into a sprawling citywide gallery". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  15. ↑ Project, SC Picture (2015-02-12). "Jones-Carter Gallery". SC Picture Project. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  16. ↑ Allen, Will (2018-04-09). "Lake City, S.C. opens largest art venue in the state during this year's ArtFields competition". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  17. ↑ znicholson@free-times.com, Zoe Nicholson (2026-04-14). "8 hours at ArtFields: How to make the most of a day trip to citywide art festival in rural SC". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  18. ↑ Hinshaw, Dawn (April 13, 2015). "Lake City revels in larger-than-life story of astronaut McNair". The State. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  19. ↑ Writer, Staff. "Artfully done: 4th year of ArtFields in rural South Carolina". Bluffton Today. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  20. ↑ Claussen, Keith. "The Artside: Local artists have entered works in ArtFields competition". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  21. ↑ Stuart, Shauna (2019-05-02). "Alabama's Paul Barrett on guest-curating ArtFields and showcasing the art of the South". al. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  22. ↑ "Small Town, Big Art". Grand Strand Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  23. ↑ Kraft, Chris (2019-04-24). "Painting the Town". Garden & Gun. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  24. ↑ Times, Fiona Schreier Special to Free (2024-03-26). "The beginning of a beautiful friendship? Artfields & 701 CCA teaming up for Columbia show". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  25. ↑ "ArtFields Winners Collection". Myrtle Beach Art Museum. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
  26. ↑ Martin, Brandi (2024-04-13). "Lake City to transform into 'living art gallery' for annual ArtFields festival". WPDE. Retrieved 2026-01-09.