NAWASC Spirited Aiken Exhibit
June 18 - July 23, 2026
Aiken Center for the Arts
122 Laurens St. SW, Aiken SC
CONGRATULATIONS
Spirited Aiken Exhibit Winners
- FIRST PLACE 2D - At De Edged of Giving, Saundra Renee
Smith
- SECOND PLACE 2D - Rhythm and Blues, Deidre Gardner
Hayes
- THIRD PLACE 2D - 145 Oakcrest Lane, Staci Swider
- FIRST PLACE 3D - NEKIA - The Spirit of Aiken, Bernice
Mitchell Tate
- BEST in SHOW - Essie, Marie Echols
- BEST OF AIKEN - Run for the Roses, June Klement
- Best of Photography - Goucho Roundup, Sandy Dimke
- Pushing the Boundaries: The Wild Side of Art, What If?,
Meyriel Edge
- HONORABLE MENTION - Enjoying the Spirits of Aiken in the Alley, Joyce Erb
- HONORABLE MENTION - Lunar Forest, Lisa Anne Cullen
View all 50 artworks at
https://showsubmit.com/gallery/nawasc-spirited-aiken
Annual Meeting and Lunchon
On June 18, 2026, NAWA SC President Meyriel Edge welcomed a record number members
and their guests to our 2026 Annual Meeting and Lunch at the Park Avenue Oyster Bar and
Grill. Board members spoke briefly about their responsibilities and plans for the coming year.
There was time for camaraderie and a business card exchange.
Opening Reception
NAWA SC members and their guests attended the Opening Reception for the Spirited Aiken
Exhibit at the AIken Center for the Arts. The gallery Executive Director, Caroline Gwinn,
welcomed NAWA SC as exhibitors. Exhibit Lead, Melinda Welker, thanked Caroline for her
exceptional ability to curate the exhibit layout. Melinda also thanked Charlotte Fussell for her
excellent follow-up to keep the timeline on track.
Dr. Kimberly Fontanez, who judged the art, announced the awards and provided insight as to
how she judged each art piece award worthy. Her feedback was valuable, not only to the
artists that won, but to all members.
More than 100 people attended the reception and the gallery director stated that about 7500
people will visit the gallery during the Spirited Aiken Exhibit, which runs through July 23.
Our Sponsors
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR THREADS OF LABOR EXHIBIT WINNERS
- DAR AWARD - One Woman's Work: A Framed Portrait, Linda McCune
- FIRST PLACE - Quilting Queen, Rhian Swain
- SECOND PLACE - Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet of the Revolution, Deidre Gardner Hayes
- THIRD PLACE - Sew Sad Sweatshop, Judith Carlin
- HONORABLE MENTION - Window on the World, Joyce Erb
- HONORABLE MENTION - Holding Fast To Her Beliefs, Sandy Dimke
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NAWASC Members - Online Exhibition 2025
CALL FOR ART CLOSED.
Threads of Labor - Women’s Work Online Exhibit October 15 - November 15, 2025
Submission Dates: September 1 - September 30, 2025
About the NAWA South Carolina Chapter
What We Do
Our Inspiration
Our Inspiration
"The purpose of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) is to foster public awareness of, and interest in, visual art created by women in the United States."
The South Carolina Chapter is continuing this mission within our region and around the world. The Association promotes culture and education in the visual arts thro
"The purpose of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) is to foster public awareness of, and interest in, visual art created by women in the United States."
The South Carolina Chapter is continuing this mission within our region and around the world. The Association promotes culture and education in the visual arts through exhibitions of its members’ works, educational programs, scholarships, awards, its historical archive, and other appropriate means.
Our Inspiration
Our Inspiration
Our Inspiration
We are inspired by a life time of dreams, influenced by our unique experiences, and bound together by our common desire to express ourselves through our art. We hope you glimpse into our art world, and pause.... just for a moment to find your own metaphors.
Click here to learn about joining the NAWA South Carolina chapter.
Who are We?
Our Inspiration
Who are We?
The NAWA South Carolina chapter is comprised of painters, sculptors, fiber artists, printmakers mixed media artists, photographers, and more. Our styles are as diverse as our mediums, and each of us let our ideas manifest in our own unique styles and mediums.
While encouraging contemporary and emerging artists
The NAWA South Carolina chapter is comprised of painters, sculptors, fiber artists, printmakers mixed media artists, photographers, and more. Our styles are as diverse as our mediums, and each of us let our ideas manifest in our own unique styles and mediums.
While encouraging contemporary and emerging artists, the Association honors and continues the long and important contribution of women to the history of American culture and art.