Deep South Community Art is the passion project of founder, curator and host, Margherita Introna. Margherita is a Scarborough resident and artist that dreamed about hosting an exhibition in her beautiful village of Scarborough in the Deep South. Her main goals for creating this event were:
• Using art as a way to connect with others and find her place within her community.
• Create an exhibition t
hat would welcome different artwork mediums. As a photographer Margherita found it difficult to find exhibitions that would accept photographic fine art work. Deep South Community Art welcomes all mediums, i.e. painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more.
• Artists supporting artists is something Margherita is passionate about. Creating this exhibition and community is a manifestation of that passion.
• Supporting TEARS Animal Rescue, a charity close to her heart. Proceeds from submission fees and the 25% commission are in support of TEARS Animal Rescue. Special thanks to the sponsors who make this possible, especially to The Pole Yard in Noordhoek who have supported the event from the very beginning by sponsoring the very unique hanging system created with their trellises. Margherita, as Deep South Community Art, is now the new art curator for Whole Earth Café in Scarborough. Special thanks to the Whole Earth Café team who have become our additional year round home away from our annual event. Deep South Community Art will be curating the Whole Earth spaces with artwork from their annual exhibitions on a quarterly basis. This will extend the exposure for our artists. The Deep South Community Art Exhibition offers an opportunity for both seasoned and first time artists to exhibit their work. It also sponsors a few artists through their “Support-an-Artist” initiative. This initiative supports a few artists who would otherwise not have been able to participate in the exhibition. For some, it is their first formal exhibition opportunity. The initiative covers their submission fees and provides some guidance with creating artist biographies and requirements. While the hope of generating lots of artwork sales is an obvious reason to host an exhibition, it is not the only benefit. Time and time again Deep South Community Art has not only been about sales, but also about connection. The message that keeps coming through each year is about both connection and collaboration. Deep South Community Art has definitely become the annual meeting place for local artists to reconnect, celebrate and collaborate. Margherita shares the following about her passion project:
“It is such an honour to create and host Deep South Community Art. This event has become the highlight of my year! Hosting Deep South Community Art is a completely non-commercial venture for me. I make 0% as all proceeds from the submission fees and the 25% commission on sold artwork, is donated to TEARS Animal Rescue. I only make 75% of any of my own artwork that is sold at the exhibition (just like any of the other artists). In fact it actually costs me a lot of personal expense and of course countless hours of work. However, what it gives me in return is priceless. The friendships and connections I have made through this experience are very dear to me. Artists supporting artists is something I am passionate about and creating this exhibition and community is a manifestation of that passion, all while supporting a local Deep South charity that is close to my heart.”
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