Barbara Streeter has been awarded a $5000 S.C. Artists’ Ventures Initiative Grant by the South Carolina Arts Commission for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The grant enables Ms. Streeter to promote and produce the Conway Open Studio Project.
The Conway Open Studio Project is a six month arts initiative featuring area artists working in collaboration to invigorate the arts in downtown Conway, SC. The Project will include an Experimental Glass Theatre component to be held in the glass blowing studio of Conway Glass at 209 Laurel Street in downtown Conway.
The goal of the Conway Open Studio Project is to raise the awareness of artmaking as a career and to introduce visitors to entertaining, educational and fun art experiences in downtown Conway.
“The S.C. Arts Commission grant makes it possible for me to add video equipment, lighting and other improvements to our glassblowing studio, and also provide the public with an enhanced visitor experience,” said Barbara Streeter, glass blower and VicePresident of Conway Glass, Inc. “This funding will also help us achieve our mission of providing free narrated educational demonstrations of glass blowing to the public every First Saturday, October through May.”
Conway Glass, Inc. is helping Barbara meet her obligation of matching the Arts Commission grant with local dollars. Other artists are also donating their time and talents to the project, they are: Ed Streeter, Michael Gann, Laurie Brown, J.B. Chisnell, and Kim Clayton.
Local residents can see how the S.C. Arts Commission grant and local funds are benefiting the Conway Open Studio Project by visiting Conway Glass, Inc. at 209 Laurel Street in downtown Conway. The First Saturday Glass Blowing Demonstrations are free and will be held in 2014 on October 4, November 1 and December 6. In 2015 free demos are planned for January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4 and May 2. All First Saturday Glass Blowing Demos are held 10am – 4pm. In addition, The Experimental Glass Theatre will be held in November 2014 and January and March 2015 (TBA.)
About the South Carolina Arts Commission
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission is working to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina and by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 7348696.
About Barbara Streeter
Barbara Streeter is a visual artist and glass blower living and working in Conway, SC. She and her husband own and operate Conway Glass, Inc., a local glass company specializing in stained glass and blown glass.
About Conway Glass
At Conway Glass, Barbara and Ed Streeter have over 50 years of combined experience in the glass industry. Although they offer many glass products, they are quite different from most glass companies in that they design, manufacture, assemble and teach about this amazing material.
"This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts."
