The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents Contemporary Charleston 2010, a Piccolo Spoleto Festival Exhibition at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The public is invited to the opening reception in honor of the artists, on May 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Contemporary Charleston 2010 was curated by Erin Glaze, gallery coordinator and artist Max Miller. Contemporary Charleston 2010 will be on display through July 3, 2010.

Contemporary Charleston 2010 features 10 local visual artists who are creating works specifically for the exhibit that have been inspired by the work of 10 local poets. The exhibit will also feature a documentary on the exhibit, from the meeting of the artists to the creation of the work, by the local filmmaker from Contemporary Charleston 2009, Austin Nelson. The visual artists and poet match-ups are as follows:

Artist, Timmy Pakron and Carol Anne Davis, poet
Artist, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Paul Allen, poet
Artist, Scott Debus and Brian Penberthy, poet
Artist, Kat Hastie and Katherine Williams, poet
Artist, Sarah Haynes and Dennis Ward Stiles, poet
Artist, Jocelyn Chateauvert and Carol Peters, poet
Artist, Max Miller and Morrow Dowdle, poet
Artist, Julio Cotto and Jonathan Sanchez, poet
Artist, Hirona Matsuda and Marcus Amaker, poet
Artist, Lynne Riding and Ellie Davis, poet
All the visual artists will hold lectures and demonstrations regarding their contribution to the exhibit on the following dates:
June 5: Scott Debus and Jocelyn Chateauvert
June 12: Kat Hastie and Lynne Riding
June 19: Hirona Matsuda and Julio Cotto
June 26: Timmy Pakron and Sarah Haynes
July 3: Max Miller and Ben Hollingsworth

The exhibit is open May 20 to July 3, 2010. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. During The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park is open special hours, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, is a venue for contemporary artwork that is new, vital and innovative, with a focus on broadening Charleston’s arts outlook. The City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, S.C., visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free. The City Gallery is located at 34 Prioleau St. in downtown Charleston, S.C., and gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please call or e-mail the City Gallery at (843) 958-6484 or CityGallery@ci.charleston.sc.us and visit www.charlestonarts.sc.