Art is for Everyone!

Founded in 1972 by artists Pat Koelker and Nancy Wilds, Rose Hill Arts Center became a place for aspiring artists to create, to teach and learn. It was originally located at the Rose Hill Estate on Barnwell Avenue and soon became a haven for a variety of artistic disciplines. In 1993, the Center's current home at 122 Laurens Street became available, and Rose Hill evolved into Aiken Center for the Arts. The name was chosen due to the Center's central location in the downtown area.

Today, the Aiken Center for the Arts offers a multitude of outreach and awareness programs including opportunities for children and adults; juried shows and competitions, lectures and instruction, and a variety of concert events; music, dance, film, and other performing arts; as well as a Gallery Store where local artisans offer their original works for sale. Year-round exhibits feature artists from around the world, with an emphasis on local and regional talent of the South.

The mission of Aiken Center for the Arts is to foster partnerships for the growth of an arts community and to provide arts education, cultural activities, and art opportunities that enrich the quality of life in Aiken.

On Exhibit in May!

The 2012 Aiken Artist Guild (AAG) Exhibition

May 2012
Carolyn Bohn "A Volk Tale" - 2011 AAG Annual Exhibition First place in the Abstract/Experiemental Category	Gail Smith "Southern Marsh" - 2011 AAG Annual Exhibition Members Choice Award	Barbara Walcher "George" - 2011 AAG Annual Exhibition Best of Show Award

    Congrats to the 2012 Aiken Artist Guild Exhibition Winners!

In the category of Landscape:
3rd place: Gail Wheeler for “Shore Song”
2nd place: Jim Stafford for “Sachuest Surf #4”
1st place: Gail Smith for “A Path To The Sea”

In the category of Portraiture/Figurative:
Honorable Mention: Pierce West for “I Was Wondering?”
3rd place: Jim Bradshaw for “The Sweeper”
2nd place: Susan Sallstrom for “Sugar Lump”
1st place: Marilyn Hartley for “Nude in Green”

In the category of Still Life:
Honorable Mentions: Jeannette Shoemaker for “Lily White”
Robert Holladay for “Aiken Hawk”
3rd place: Lauren Kerbelis for “Chichi”
2nd place: Carolyn Bohn for “The Hat Shop”
1st place: Mary Ann Brock for “Life Is…”

In the category of Animal / Wildlife:
Honorable Mentions: Heather Fox for “Watchful Fox”
Diana Hunt for “Leopard, Tanzania”
Diana Hunt for “ Wildebeest Migtration, Ngorngoro Crater, Tanzania”
Tom Supensky for “Luck of the Draw”
Claudia Delorme for “Fenceline Ghosts”
3rd place: T. L. Harris for “It’s About Horses”
2nd place: Meghan Benge for “Unicorn”
1st place: Mary McCullah for “Spring Break”

In the category of Abstract / Experimental:
Honorable Mention: Myrna Spurrier for “Fly by Love”
3rd place: Anne Nielsen for “Oceanic”
2nd place: Irene Williamson for “Sensations”
1st place: Jim Stafford for “Red Woods”

The William P. Colgate Aiken Scene Award:
Terry Smith for “At The Mayor’s Fishin’ Hole, Phinizy Swamp”

The Phil Permar Best of Show Award:
Deborah Tidwell Holtzscheiter for “Abiding Calm”

Wonderful job to ALL of our artists!!!!