LAKE CITY, S.C. (WPDE) — The largest art contest in the southeast will be kicking off in just two days in downtown Lake City, bringing impacts to downtown businesses.
The 13th annual ArtFields competition and festival is expected to bring thousands of people to downtown Lake City from all over the world. There will be portraits, paintings, sculptures and many other forms of art.
ArtFields program director Carla Angus expects the streets to be filled starting this weekend.
“The great thing also when you come to Lake City to see the artwork, what is so great is we partner with the businesses downtown so this 700 plus works of art we partner with the businesses and that art work is placed downtown lake city in ArtFields district,” Angus said.
Downtown Lake City restaurant Piggyback’s BBQ and catfish features some works of art inside.
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Restaurant owner Mitch Sims says ArtFields brings in lots of customers to his store this time of year.
“All of the businesses from around here stay busy because people are looking for somewhere to eat and shop,” Sims said “They like to look at the art.”
The store has carried ArtFields artwork for many years.
“It works well,” Sims said. “
We got a lot of art that comes in, we get different pieces. Sometimes we have pieces that take up a whole wall or just a small piece.”
Angus says she expects over 100,000 people to come to Lake City over the 9-day festival.
“I feel, especially being from Lake City, our community has greatly benefit I think it has awakened our community because there’s art that you love, art that you don’t love but you can talk about it; and learn about it and can connect with different people,” Angus said.
The competition winners will be announced and given their prize money on the last day of the festival.
ArtFields runs from this Friday to Saturday, May 3.
Check out their website for more information on events happening throughout the festival.
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