24.2.20

Lake Marion Artisans 2nd Annual Art Competition - 2020

Unfortunately, the Lake Marion Artisans 2nd Annual Art Competition has been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.


The Lake Marion Artisans (LMA) had kicked off their 2nd Annual Art Competition. Unfortunately, it has now been postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The judging and exhibition of local artworks were to be held in the June-July 2020 timeframe at their art gallery in downtown Summerton, S.C. New dates will be announced when we know more.

There will be three categories of works – Paintings, Photography, and 3-Dimensional Artworks, e.g. jewelry, ceramics, fabric art... The winner in each category will receive a Blue Ribbon and a cash award of $250.

The theme for this years’ art competition is ‘Lake Marion – History and Nature. By this, we mean your painting, sketch, photograph, sculpture… must relate to the history or nature found around Lake Marion, S.C. The artworks ought to be focused on historical sites, historical figures, historical events, local wildlife, birds, landscapes… linked to Summerton, ClarendonCounty, or Lake Marion. Artworks can be abstract, impressionistic, contemporary, realistic, surreal…

Eligibility/Contestants – The competition is open to all members of the Lake Marion Artisans (LMA) and other residents of Clarendon County, S.C. There will be no entrance fee for LMA members. Non-members will be required to pay an entrance fee of $10. Artists can submit one artwork in each of the three categories to be judged.

Since annual membership dues are only $30, applicants might want to consider joining the Lake Marion Artisans (LMA) for a year to take advantage of the many benefits and activities open to our members. See link to Levels of Membership

All entries for the Art Competition must be submitted to the art gallery by June 1, 2020.

Art Submission Specifications

  • Paintings includes oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, sketches… on canvas, paper… and should be mounted and/or framed appropriately for display.
  • Photographs can be printed on paper, canvas, metal… and should be framed and/or mounted appropriately for display.
  • 3-Dimensional artworks include jewelry, ceramics, fabric art, stained glass…
  • All entries must be original, new artworks that havn’t been displayed at a gallery previously. There is no size limit, particular type of paint, or style.
  • Three entries may be submitted per member. It can include one in each category.
  • A brief 1 paragraph biography and label should accompany each submission containing containing your name, a brief bio (2-3 lines), phone number, email address, title of the work, medium, and price - if the work is for sale. A number will be assigned to each artwork by the contest committee to be used for voting purposes.

Judging

  • Judging criteria used to select the winner include: creativity, originality, quality of work, and how well it relates to the theme.
  • The artworks will be judged and voted on by an invited independent judge(s) from the local art community who are not members of the Lake Marion Artisans. Winners in each category will receive a Blue Ribbon and $250 cash award.
  • Visitors to the art gallery will be allowed to cast a vote for their favorite ‘People Choice’ artwork and are asked to make a $1 donation to the Lake Marion Artisans, if possible. A ribbon will be presented to the 'People's Choice' winner.
  • The votes will be submitted to the LMA Board of Directors during the last week of June. They will tally the votes and the winners will be notified by July 1, 2020.

Awards

  • The winners of the three categories the art competition – Painting, Photography, and 3D Artworks – will receive a certificate and a check for $250.
  • The certificate and cash award will be presented to the winners at a reception to be held at 5 pm on July 12, 2020, at the Lake Marion Artisans gallery in downtown Summerton.

Exhibit

  • All artworks submitted in the art competition must be delivered to the art gallery by June 1, 2020. New dates will be announced when we know more.
  • All artworks submitted are committed to be on display in the art gallery for a month long show during June-July 2020. Artworks will not be removed until after the art show is over. New dates will be announced when we know more.

Liability – LMA will not be held liable for damage or theft of any artworks on display in the art gallery. Artists may insure their works on their own if they choose.

Reception

  • A small reception will be held for all artists and family members at the LMA art gallery in downtown Summerton at 5 pm on July 17, 2020. New dates will be announced when we know more.
  • The winners of the art competition will be announced at the reception where they will receive their award. Refreshments will be provided.

11.2.20

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) – Moving from Wearable to Implantable Technologies

The 1st generation of computers back in the 1950-60 timeframe was all about building and using ‘big iron’ mainframe systems. In the 1970s we saw the migration to networked mini-computer systems. In the 1980s we saw the transition to widespread use of microcomputer or personal computer (PC) systems. In the 1990s desktop PCs were replaced by laptop computer systems. In the 2000s, we saw the emergence of mobilecomputer systems, i.e. tablets and ‘smartphones’. We are now in the midst of the rollout of wearable and embedded computer sensors in the 2020s such as Google Glasses, FitBits, Smart Watches, Alexa voice-activated ‘personal assistants, and so many other everyday ‘smart’ devices.

Meanwhile, work is well underway on what is yet to come - implantable computer technology systems that will enter the marketplace en masse in the 2030s and change our world in ways many are unable to imagine. This article is focused on providing a brief overview of a key subset of emerging implantable computer systems involving Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology. It will give you a hint of the future your children and grandchildren will experience. So here we go!

Brain Computer Interface (BCI), mind-machine interface (MMI), or brain–machine interface (BMI), involves the direct communication between an augmented or 'wired' brain and some sort of external computer-driven device. - See Wikipedia

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Technologies

The idea of using emerging technologies to begin telling machines to do what we want simply by telepathically thinking about it – a form of synthetic telepathy – has suddenly begun to be plausible.

Such technology is starting to be being developed, tested, and marketed as a new way to control video games, for battlefield communications, interactions with medical prosthetic limbs, and interfaces to many other computerized devices as we move into the future. The following is a brief list of a growing number of companies that are already working on a wide variety of BCI technologies and solutions. Check them out!


Selected Articles & Findings

The following are a selection of recently published articles on brain computer interface (BCI) technologies that you ought to take the time to scan if you find this topic of interest:


The Summerton Blog often runs articles on new technologies for parents and students because these are going to be tied to the careers, jobs, and tools of the future.


8.2.20

Lake Marion Artisans Hosting Annual Black History Month Quilt and Art Exhibit


The Lake Marion Artisans Gallery will—once again—host its annual celebration of Black History Month in Summerton, South Carolina. Bonnie Gardner, one of the event’s coordinators, said, “We are expanding this year’s event to draw even more interest.”

This year, students from Scott’s Branch High School will be displaying multi-media artwork that will include a papier-mâché African mask. Ms. Hines, the art teacher at Scott’s Branch is coordinating the students’ artwork and will have some of her own work on display, as well. She will also have an example of loom weaving.

This popular community affair will also include a collection of quilts made by the members of the Summerton Senior Quilters, who meet regularly at the old Scott’s Branch High School. These colorful displays line the gallery’s walls and will remind viewers of the diverse creativity in multi-layered fabric art.

The artwork will be on display in the Lake Marion Artisans’ Gallery for the entire month of February, and the gallery will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. On February 29th, the month-long event will culminate with a reception from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Marguirite De Laine, from the BriggsDe Laine–Pearson Foundation, will be the guest speaker at 2 p.m. at the reception on February 29th. De Laine is a native of Clarendon County, was a former English teacher, and after her graduate studies, earned a certificate in Non-profit Leadership. She has put her expertise to work, volunteering at numerous non-profit organizations.

Following the guest speaker, entertainment will include live music, and refreshments will be served.


Article submitted by Vicki Wilkerson, local Summerton authore of the Summerbrook Novels. 



Local Clarendon County SC High School Varsity Baseball & Softball Schedules and Stats - Spring 2020

East Clarendon Wolverines - Varsity Girls Softball Team

Good luck to our teams as the season prepares to get underway.