Howard Finster’s final home acquired by the Paradise Garden Foundation
SUMMERVILLE—The Paradise Garden Foundation has purchased the Reverend Howard Finster’s last home, located at the corner of Knox and and Rena Street in the Pennville community, where he lived from 1986 to 1991. The house was not originally part of the purchase agreement with Chattooga County made in 2011, when the county stepped in to preserve the unique folk art environment. In an emailed statement, Executive Director Tina Cox said “The board of Paradise Garden Foundation is excited at the opportunity to rejoin Howard’s house with the original Garden footprint, and believes that he would be totally thrilled about this news.” Paradise Garden, including Howard’s third and final Pennville home, was added to the National Register for Historic Places in 2012.
Joan Mitchell Center announces reopening and new, temporary focus on New Orleans artists
NEW ORLEANS—The Joan Mitchell Center has announced the reopening of its facilities and a decision to focus on artists currently live and working in New Orleans, pushing artists from outside the city back to complete their residencies in 2022. In an emailed press release, the center director Toccarra A. H. Thomas said, “As part of our evaluation process, we have been listening to and considering the feedback from our artist community and from colleagues and partners. The common narrative that has emerged is around the need for creative community during this difficult time. We know that many artists are looking for opportunities to connect with others, to find and offer support, to exchange ideas and information, and to consider their work within the current realities,” Thomas continued. “We are committed to maintaining a virtual platform for these exchanges through our residency program, and to continuing to provide critical professional and financial support. Although we have made near-term amendments to align with COVID-19 safety guidelines, the core and essence of the residency remain.”
The Center for Craft announces eighteen grants across the country
ASHEVILLE—Between May and October of this year, the Center for Craft has awawarded unrestricted grants of $5,000 to eighteen artists working in craft across the country. Funded projects have spanned the country, with recipients in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, West Virginia, and North Carolina—including four in Asheville, the home of the Center for Craft. Many projects are linked to their specific geographic areas through physical spaces, while others, such as Tanya Aguiñiga’s Cerámica Mariposas studio, which will be constructed in one of the most vulnerable migrant shelter on the US-Mexico border and used to offer virtual classes for women migrants, and Anna Helgeson’s Craft Conscious website, which will be a resource for college instructors regardless of their location, are designed for virtual connection.
Art Basel cancels 2020 edition of Miami fair
MIAMI—Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Art Basel Miami has cancelled the annual fair, originally slated to take place December 3-6. Noah Horowitz, the director of Art Basel in the Americas said in a statement, “It is with great regret and disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our December show in Miami Beach, as we know how crucial our show is for our galleries, as well as for the greater Miami arts community and economy.” Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Basel Switzerland had already been cancelled, with officials citing travel restrictions, the difficulties in staging a large gathering that follows new health guidelines, and quarantine restrictions as reasons for calling off the fairs.
